BMC Infectious Diseases (Accessed 7 May 2016)

BMC Infectious Diseases
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcinfectdis/content
(Accessed 7 May 2016)

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Research article
The effect of early versus late treatment initiation after diagnosis on the outcomes of patients treated for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: a systematic review
Globally it is estimated that 480 000 people developed multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in 2014 and 190 000 people died from the disease. Successful treatment outcomes are achieved in only 50 % of patients…
Rebecca C. Harris, Louis Grandjean, Laura J. Martin, Alexander J. P. Miller, Joseph-Egre N. Nkang, Victoria Allen, Mishal S. Khan, Katherine Fielding and David A. J. Moore
BMC Infectious Diseases 2016 16:193
Published on: 4 May 2016

Study protocol: Mother and Infant Nutritional Assessment (MINA) cohort study in Qatar and Lebanon

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcpregnancychildbirth/content
(Accessed 7 May 2016)

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Study protocol
Study protocol: Mother and Infant Nutritional Assessment (MINA) cohort study in Qatar and Lebanon
The Middle East and North Africa region harbors significant proportions of stunting and wasting coupled with surging rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Farah Naja, Lara Nasreddine, Al Anoud Al Thani, Khaled Yunis, Michael Clinton, Anwar Nassar, Sara Farhat Jarrar, Patricia Moghames, Ghina Ghazeeri, Sajjad Rahman, Walaa Al-Chetachi, Eman Sadoun, Nibal Lubbad, Zelaikha Bashwar, Hiba Bawadi and Nahla Hwalla
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2016 16:98
Published on: 4 May 2016

Determinants of domestic violence against women in Ghana

BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles
(Accessed 7 May 2016)

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Research article
Determinants of domestic violence against women in Ghana
The prevalence of domestic violence remains unacceptably high with numerous consequences ranging from psychological to maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity outcomes in pregnant women.
Ebenezer S. Owusu Adjah and Isaac Agbemafle
BMC Public Health 2016 16:368
Published on: 2 May 2016

Examining the quality of evidence to support the effectiveness of interventions: an analysis of systematic reviews

BMJ Open
2016, Volume 6, Issue 5
http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/current

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Evidence based practice
Research
Examining the quality of evidence to support the effectiveness of interventions: an analysis of systematic reviews
Professor Robert L Kane; kanex001@umn.edu, Mary Butler, Weiwen Ng
BMJ Open 2016;6:e011051 doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-011051
Abstract
Objective This analysis examines the quality of evidence (QOE) for 1472 outcomes linked to interventions where the QOE was rated in 42 systematic reviews of randomised clinical trials and/or observational studies across different topics.
Setting Not applicable.
Participants 76 systematic reviews.
Primary and secondary outcome measures Strength of evidence ratings by initial reviewers.
Results Among 76 systematic reviews, QOE ratings were available for only 42, netting 1472 comparisons. Of these, 57% included observational studies; 4% were rated as high and 12% as moderate; the rest were low or insufficient. The ratings varied by topic: 74% of the surgical study pairs were rated as low or insufficient, compared with 82% of pharmaceuticals and 86% of device studies, 88% of organisational, 91% of lifestyle studies, and 94% of psychosocial interventions.
Conclusions We are some distance from being able to claim evidence-based practice. The press for individual-level data will make this challenge even harder.

Bulletin of the World Health Organization – Volume 94, Number 5, May 2016

Bulletin of the World Health Organization
Volume 94, Number 5, May 2016, 309-404
http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/94/5/en/

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Special theme: the Global strategy for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health (2016-2030)
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EDITORIALS
Knowledge for effective action to improve the health of women, children and adolescents in the sustainable development era
Flavia Bustreo, Robin Gorna & David Nabarro
http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.16.174243
…Achieving the global strategy and the SDGs will require the use of the best available knowledge for action, as well as investment in new research and innovation. This month’s Bulletin theme issue seeks to broaden the evidence on effective country implementation and lessons learnt from the MDGs. Kuruvilla et al.3 summarize the current global strategy, show how the objectives of the strategy are aligned with the SDGs and how selected countries are already making progress.

Several papers in this issue deal with progress on the survival objective of the global strategy; Negandhi et al.4 present a surveillance-based maternal and infant death review system in India; Murguía-Peniche et al.5 and McKinnon et al.6 address under-researched topics, such as the factors associated with stillbirths in Mexico and the high prevalence of suicidal behaviours among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries, respectively.

The strategy’s thrive objective addresses the overall health and well-being of mothers, children and adolescents. Chai et al.7 determine how exposure to violence hinders child development and can affect health across the life-course and subsequent generations. Askew et al.8 describe the importance of ensuring sexual and reproductive health and rights in humanitarian settings.

The transform objective of the strategy focuses on expanding enabling environments and aims to transform societies so that women, children and adolescents everywhere can realize their rights to the highest attainable standards of health and well-being. Several papers address the global strategy’s transform objective. Newberry et al.9 present a formal emergency response infrastructure developed in India for gender-based violence.

This special issue also includes papers on approaches that have helped countries achieve improved health outcomes for women, children and adolescents. Marston et al.10 discuss the importance of community engagement in achieving results. Ahmed et al.11 describe policies and programmes that contributed to reductions in child and maternal mortality. Frost et al.12 explain how multistakeholder dialogues are used to clarify what works and does not work in policy-making and implementation…

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EDITORIALS
Sexual and reproductive health and rights in emergencies
Ian Askew, Rajat Khosla, Ugochi Daniels, Sandra Krause, Clare Lofthouse, Lale Say, Kate Gilmore & Sarah Zeid
http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.16.173567

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Research
Association between intimate partner violence and poor child growth: results from 42 demographic and health surveys
Jeanne Chai, Günther Fink, Sylvia Kaaya, Goodarz Danaei, Wafaie Fawzi, Majid Ezzati, Jeffrey Lienert & Mary C Smith Fawzi
http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.15.152462
Abstract
Objective
To determine the impact of intimate partner violence against women on children’s growth and nutritional status in low- and middle-income countries.
Methods
We pooled records from 42 demographic and health surveys in 29 countries. Data on maternal lifetime exposure to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics were collected. We used logistic regression models to determine the association between intimate partner violence and child stunting and wasting.
Findings
Prior exposure to intimate partner violence was reported by 69 652 (34.1%) of the 204 159 ever-married women included in our analysis. After adjusting for a range of characteristics, stunting in children was found to be positively associated with maternal lifetime exposure to only physical (adjusted odds ratio, aOR: 1.11; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.09–1.14) or sexual intimate partner violence (aOR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.05–1.13) and to both forms of such violence (aOR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.05–1.14). The associations between stunting and intimate partner violence were stronger in urban areas than in rural ones, for mothers who had low levels of education than for women with higher levels of education, and in middle-income countries than in low-income countries. We also found a small negative association between wasting and intimate partner violence (aOR: 0.94; 95%CI: 0.90–0.98).
Conclusion
Intimate partner violence against women remains common in low- and middle-income countries and is highly detrimental to women and to the growth of the affected women’s children. Policy and programme efforts are needed to reduce the prevalence and impact of such violence.

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Perspectives
The sustainable development goals, violence and women’s and children’s health
Claudia García-Moreno & Avni Amin
http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.16.172205

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The Global strategy for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health (2016–2030): a roadmap based on evidence and country experience
Shyama Kuruvilla, Flavia Bustreo, Taona Kuo, CK Mishra, Katie Taylor, Helga Fogstad, Geeta Rao Gupta, Kate Gilmore, Marleen Temmerman, Joe Thomas, Kumanan Rasanathan, Ted Chaiban, Anshu Mohan, Anna Gruending, Julian Schweitzer, Hannah Sarah Dini, John Borrazzo, Hareya Fassil, Lars Gronseth, Rajat Khosla, Richard Cheeseman, Robin Gorna, Lori McDougall, Kadidiatou Toure, Kate Rogers, Kate Dodson, Anita Sharma, Marta Seoane & Anthony Costello
http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.16.170431

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Country perspectives on integrated approaches to maternal and child health: the need for alignment and coordination
Pascal Bijleveld, Blerta Maliqi, Paul Pronyk, Jennifer Franz-Vasdeki, Bennett Nemser, Diana Sera, Renee van de Weerdt & Benedicte Walter
http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.15.168823

Globalization and Health [Accessed 7 May 2016]

Globalization and Health
http://www.globalizationandhealth.com/
[Accessed 7 May 2016]

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Research
Developing a framework for successful research partnerships in global health
Fiona Larkan, Ogenna Uduma, Saheed Akinmayọwa Lawal and Bianca van Bavel
Published on: 6 May 2016
Abstract
Background
The Centre for Global Health, Trinity College Dublin has as one of its goals, strengthening health systems in developing countries. In realising this goal we work across more than 40 countries with third-level, civil society, government, private sector and UN partners. Each of these requires that different relationships be established. Good principles must guide all global health research partnerships.
An exploratory research project was undertaken with research partners of, and staff within, the Centre for Global Health. The aim was to build an evidence-based framework.
Methods
An inductive exploratory research process was undertaken using a grounded theory approach in three consecutive phases: Phase I: An open-ended questionnaire was sent via email to all identified partners. Phase II: A series of consultative meetings were held with the staff of the Centre for Global Health. Phase III: Data sets from Phases I and II were applied to the development of a unifying framework. Data was analysed using grounded theory three stage thematic analysis – open, axial and selective coding.
Results
Relational and operational aspects of partnership were highlighted as being relevant across every partnership. Seven equally important core concepts emerged (focus, values, equity, benefit, leadership, communication and resolution), and are described and discussed here. Of these, two (leadership and resolution) are less often considered in existing literature on partnerships.
Conclusions
Large complex partnerships can work well if all parties are agreed in advance to a common minimum programme, have been involved from the design stage, and have adequate resources specifically allocated. Based on this research, a framework for partnerships has been developed and is shared.
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Debate
The Capabilities Approach: Fostering contexts for enhancing mental health and wellbeing across the globe
Ross G. White, Maria Grazia Imperiale and Em Perera
Published on: 5 May 2016
Abstract
Concerted efforts have been made in recent years to achieve equity and equality in mental health for all people across the globe. This has led to the emergence of Global Mental Health as an area of study and practice. The momentum that this has created has contributed to the development, implementation and evaluation of services for priority mental disorders in many low- and middle-income countries.
This paper discusses two related issues that may be serving to limit the success of mental health initiatives across the globe, and proposes potential solutions to these issues. First, there has been a lack of sophistication in determining what constitutes a ‘good outcome’ for people experiencing mental health difficulties. Even though health is defined and understood as a state of ‘wellbeing’ and not merely an absence of illness, mental health interventions tend to narrowly focus on reducing symptoms of mental illness. The need to also focus more broadly on enhancing subjective wellbeing is highlighted. The second limitation relates to the lack of an overarching theoretical framework guiding efforts to reduce inequalities and inequities in mental health across the globe. This paper discusses the potential impact that the Capabilities Approach (CA) could have for addressing both of these issues. As a framework for human development, the CA places emphasis on promoting wellbeing through enabling people to realise their capabilities and engage in behaviours that they subjectively value.
The utilization of the CA to guide the development and implementation of mental health interventions can help Global Mental Health initiatives to identify sources of social inequality and structural violence that may impede freedom and individuals’ opportunities to realise their capabilities.

The Lancet – May 07, 2016

The Lancet
May 07, 2016 Volume 387 Number 10031 p1879-1968
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

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Editorial
Australia’s offshore refugee policy in disarray
The Lancet
Summary
Australia’s contentious way of dealing with refugees and asylum seekers arriving by boat, long condemned by human rights organisations, has come under renewed attack and public scrutiny. On April 26, the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea (PNG) ruled that the offshore detention centre on Manus Island, PNG, which had been used by Australia under the so-called Pacific Solution, was unconstitutional and ordered its closure. In its ruling, the court said that the centre violated the detainees’ rights to personal liberty under the PNG constitution.

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Comment
Mind the gap: jumping from vaccine licensure to routine use
Katherine L O’Brien, Fred Binka, Kevin Marsh, Jon S Abramson
Summary
The contribution of immunisation to improving childhood survival is one of the great achievements of global health. Driving down further infectious disease burden will require new vaccines, many of which have taken decades to develop. We are entering an era where the path from licensure to widespread routine vaccine implementation requires more than efficacy and safety data; policy recommendations for new vaccines may only be realised through implementation research to determine how to most effectively ensure widespread use.

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Articles
Global and regional health effects of future food production under climate change: a modelling study
Marco Springmann, Daniel Mason-D’Croz, Sherman Robinson, Tara Garnett, H Charles J Godfray, Douglas Gollin, Mike Rayner, Paola Ballon, Peter Scarborough
Summary
Background
One of the most important consequences of climate change could be its effects on agriculture. Although much research has focused on questions of food security, less has been devoted to assessing the wider health impacts of future changes in agricultural production. In this modelling study, we estimate excess mortality attributable to agriculturally mediated changes in dietary and weight-related risk factors by cause of death for 155 world regions in the year 2050.
Methods
For this modelling study, we linked a detailed agricultural modelling framework, the International Model for Policy Analysis of Agricultural Commodities and Trade (IMPACT), to a comparative risk assessment of changes in fruit and vegetable consumption, red meat consumption, and bodyweight for deaths from coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, and an aggregate of other causes. We calculated the change in the number of deaths attributable to climate-related changes in weight and diets for the combination of four emissions pathways (a high emissions pathway, two medium emissions pathways, and a low emissions pathway) and three socioeconomic pathways (sustainable development, middle of the road, and more fragmented development), which each included six scenarios with variable climatic inputs.
Findings
The model projects that by 2050, climate change will lead to per-person reductions of 3·2% (SD 0·4%) in global food availability, 4·0% (0·7%) in fruit and vegetable consumption, and 0·7% (0·1%) in red meat consumption. These changes will be associated with 529,000 climate-related deaths worldwide (95% CI 314,000–736,000), representing a 28% (95% CI 26–33) reduction in the number of deaths that would be avoided because of changes in dietary and weight-related risk factors between 2010 and 2050. Twice as many climate-related deaths were associated with reductions in fruit and vegetable consumption than with climate-related increases in the prevalence of underweight, and most climate-related deaths were projected to occur in south and east Asia. Adoption of climate-stabilisation pathways would reduce the number of climate-related deaths by 29–71%, depending on their stringency.
Interpretation
The health effects of climate change from changes in dietary and weight-related risk factors could be substantial, and exceed other climate-related health impacts that have been estimated. Climate change mitigation could prevent many climate-related deaths. Strengthening of public health programmes aimed at preventing and treating diet and weight-related risk factors could be a suitable climate change adaptation strategy.

Nature – Volume 533 Number 7601 pp7-138, 5 May 2016

Nature
Volume 533 Number 7601 pp7-138 5 May 2016
http://www.nature.com/nature/current_issue.html

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Comment
Policy: Security spending must cover disease outbreaks
Tadataka Yamada, V. Ayano Ogawa and Maria Freire call for research and development funding and coordination to counter global infectious-disease threats.

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Letters
Unique human immune signature of Ebola virus disease in Guinea
Paula Ruibal, Lisa Oestereich, Anja Lüdtke, Beate Becker-Ziaja, David M. Wozniak+ et al.
Fatal Ebola virus disease is characterized by a high proportion of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expressing the inhibitory molecules CTLA-4 and PD-1, correlating with high virus load; individuals who survive the infection exhibit lower expression of these inhibitory molecules and generate Ebola-specific CD8+ T cells, suggesting that dysregulation of the T cell response is a key component of Ebola virus disease pathophysiology.

Efficacy of a Single-Dose, Inactivated Oral Cholera Vaccine in Bangladesh

New England Journal of Medicine
May 5, 2016 Vol. 374 No. 18
http://www.nejm.org/toc/nejm/medical-journal

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Original Article
Efficacy of a Single-Dose, Inactivated Oral Cholera Vaccine in Bangladesh
Firdausi Qadri, Ph.D., Thomas F. Wierzba, Ph.D., Mohammad Ali, Ph.D., Fahima Chowdhury, M.P.H., Ashraful I. Khan, Ph.D., Amit Saha, M.Med., Iqbal A. Khan, M.Sc., Muhammad Asaduzzaman, M.Phil., Afroza Akter, M.B., B.S., Arifuzzaman Khan, M.B., B.S., Yasmin A. Begum, Ph.D., Taufiqur R. Bhuiyan, Ph.D., Farhana Khanam, M.Sc., Mohiul I. Chowdhury, M.P.H., Taufiqul Islam, M.B., B.S., Atique I. Chowdhury, M.Sc., Anisur Rahman, M.Sc., Shah A. Siddique, M.P.H., Young A. You, M.Sc., Deok R. Kim, M.Sc., Ashraf U. Siddik, M.S.S., Nirod C. Saha, M.Sc., Alamgir Kabir, M.Sc., Alejandro Cravioto, Ph.D., Sachin N. Desai, M.D., Ajit P. Singh, M.D., and John D. Clemens, M.D.
N Engl J Med 2016; 374:1723-1732 May 5, 2016 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1510330
Abstract
Background
A single-dose regimen of the current killed oral cholera vaccines that have been prequalified by the World Health Organization would make them more attractive for use against endemic and epidemic cholera. We conducted an efficacy trial of a single dose of the killed oral cholera vaccine Shanchol, which is currently given in a two-dose schedule, in an urban area in which cholera is highly endemic.
Methods
Nonpregnant residents of Dhaka, Bangladesh, who were 1 year of age or older were randomly assigned to receive a single dose of oral cholera vaccine or oral placebo. The primary outcome was vaccine protective efficacy against culture-confirmed cholera occurring 7 to 180 days after dosing. Prespecified secondary outcomes included protective efficacy against severely dehydrating culture-confirmed cholera during the same interval, against cholera and severe cholera occurring 7 to 90 versus 91 to 180 days after dosing, and against cholera and severe cholera according to age at baseline.
Results
A total of 101 episodes of cholera, 37 associated with severe dehydration, were detected among the 204,700 persons who received one dose of vaccine or placebo. The vaccine protective efficacy was 40% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11 to 60%; 0.37 cases per 1000 vaccine recipients vs. 0.62 cases per 1000 placebo recipients) against all cholera episodes, 63% (95% CI, 24 to 82%; 0.10 vs. 0.26 cases per 1000 recipients) against severely dehydrating cholera episodes, and 63% (95% CI, −39 to 90%), 56% (95% CI, 16 to 77%), and 16% (95% CI, −49% to 53%) against all cholera episodes among persons vaccinated at the age of 5 to 14 years, 15 or more years, and 1 to 4 years, respectively, although the differences according to age were not significant (P=0.25). Adverse events occurred at similar frequencies in the two groups.
Conclusions
A single dose of the oral cholera vaccine was efficacious in older children (≥5 years of age) and in adults in a setting with a high level of cholera endemicity. (Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02027207.)

Pediatrics – May 2016

Pediatrics
May 2016, VOLUME 137 / ISSUE 5
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/137/5?current-issue=y

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Special Articles
Zika Virus Disease: A CDC Update for Pediatric Health Care Providers
Mateusz P. Karwowski, Jennifer M. Nelson, J. Erin Staples, Marc Fischer, Katherine E. Fleming-Dutra, Julie Villanueva, Ann M. Powers, Paul Mead, Margaret A. Honein, Cynthia A. Moore, Sonja A. Rasmussen
Pediatrics May 2016, 137 (5) e20160621; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2016-0621

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Special Articles
The Challenges in Measuring Local Immunization Coverage: A Statewide Case Study
Elizabeth Wolf, Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, Jeffrey Duchin, M. Patricia DeHart, Douglas Opel
Pediatrics May 2016, 137 (5) e20153755; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2015-3755
Abstract
There are many forms of existing immunization surveillance in the United States and Washington state, but all are limited in their ability to provide timely identification of clusters of unimmunized individuals and assess the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases. This article aims to: (1) describe challenges to measuring immunization coverage at a local level in the United States using Washington State as a case study; and (2) propose improvements to existing surveillance systems that address the challenges identified.

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Articles
Childhood Sexual Violence Against Boys: A Study in 3 Countries
Steven A. Sumner, James A. Mercy, Robert Buluma, Mary W. Mwangi, Louis H. Marcelin, They Kheam, Veronica Lea, Kathryn Brookmeyer, Howard Kress, Susan D. Hillis
Pediatrics May 2016, 137 (5) e20153386; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2015-3386
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Globally, little evidence exists on sexual violence against boys. We sought to produce the first internationally comparable estimates of the magnitude, characteristics, risk factors, and consequences of sexual violence against boys in 3 diverse countries.
METHODS: We conducted nationally representative, multistage cluster Violence Against Children Surveys in Haiti, Kenya, and Cambodia among males aged 13 to 24 years. Differences between countries for boys experiencing sexual violence (including sexual touching, attempted sex, and forced/coerced sex) before age 18 years were examined by using χ2 and logistic regression analyses.
RESULTS: In Haiti, Kenya, and Cambodia, respectively, 1459, 1456, and 1255 males completed surveys. The prevalence of experiencing any form of sexual violence ranged from 23.1% (95% confidence Interval [CI]: 20.0–26.2) in Haiti to 14.8% (95% CI: 12.0–17.7) in Kenya, and 5.6% (95% CI: 4.0–7.2) in Cambodia. The largest share of perpetrators in Haiti, Kenya, and Cambodia, respectively, were friends/neighbors (64.7%), romantic partners (37.2%), and relatives (37.0%). Most episodes occurred inside perpetrators’ or victims’ homes in Haiti (60.4%), contrasted with outside the home in Kenya (65.3%) and Cambodia (52.1%). The most common time period for violence in Haiti, Kenya, and Cambodia was the afternoon (55.0%), evening (41.3%), and morning (38.2%), respectively. Adverse health effects associated with violence were common, including increased odds of transactional sex, alcohol abuse, sexually transmitted infections, anxiety/depression, suicidal ideation/attempts, and violent gender attitudes.
CONCLUSIONS: Differences were noted between countries in the prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors of sexual violence, yet associations with adverse health effects were pervasive. Prevention strategies tailored to individual locales are needed.

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Pediatrics Perspectives
Children and Solitary Confinement: A Call to Action
Mikah Owen, Jeffrey Goldhagen
Pediatrics May 2016, 137 (5) e20154180; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2015-4180
[Initial text]
In 2011, the United Nations (UN) issued a report calling for the abolishment of solitary confinement for juveniles because it “can amount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.”1 Although there is no universal definition of solitary confinement, the report defines it as “the physical and social isolation of individuals who are confined to their cell for 22 to 24 hours a day.”1 Juvenile detention facilities often use similar practices, isolating children for many, but Despite the UN report, the United States continues to apply the use of juvenile solitary confinement and isolation. Disturbingly, no federal statutes limit or prevent application of these practices to juveniles, and the majority of states do not have laws that explicitly limit their use.2 Most commonly, these solitary confinement and isolation practices are left to the discretion of juvenile housing facilities that vary in type (detention, group, residential treatment centers) and staff/resident ratios. These facilities, whether public or private, generally operate outside the purview of public accountability.
The extent to which solitary confinement and isolation of children is used in the United States is largely unknown…

PLoS Medicine (Accessed 7 May 2016)

PLoS Medicine
http://www.plosmedicine.org/
(Accessed 7 May 2016)

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Essay
A Public Health Paradox: The Women Most Vulnerable to Malaria Are the Least Protected
Raquel González, Esperança Sevene, George Jagoe, Laurence Slutsker, Clara Menéndez
| published 03 May 2016 | PLOS Medicine
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002014

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Effectiveness of and Financial Returns to Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision for HIV Prevention in South Africa: An Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Markus Haacker, Nicole Fraser-Hurt, Marelize Gorgens
Research Article | published 03 May 2016 | PLOS Medicine
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002012

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Interpreting the Global Enteric Multicenter Study (GEMS) Findings on Sanitation, Hygiene, and Diarrhea
Jonny Crocker, Jamie Bartram
Perspective | published 03 May 2016 | PLOS Medicine
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002011

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Sanitation and Hygiene-Specific Risk Factors for Moderate-to-Severe Diarrhea in Young Children in the Global Enteric Multicenter Study, 2007–2011: Case-Control Study
Kelly K. Baker, Ciara E. O’Reilly, Myron M. Levine, Karen L. Kotloff, James P. Nataro, Tracy L. Ayers, Tamer H. Farag, Dilruba Nasrin, William C. Blackwelder, Yukun Wu, Pedro L. Alonso, Robert F. Breiman, Richard Omore, Abu S. G. Faruque, Sumon Kumar Das, Shahnawaz Ahmed, Debasish Saha, Samba O. Sow, Dipika Sur, Anita K. M. Zaidi, Fahreen Quadri, Eric D. Mintz
Research Article | published 03 May 2016 | PLOS Medicine
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002010

Potential Impact of Sexual Transmission on Ebola Virus Epidemiology: Sierra Leone as a Case Study

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
http://www.plosntds.org/
(Accessed 7 May 2016)

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Research Article
Potential Impact of Sexual Transmission on Ebola Virus Epidemiology: Sierra Leone as a Case Study
Jessica L. Abbate, Carmen Lia Murall, Heinz Richner, Christian L. Althaus
| published 02 May 2016 | PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0004676

PLoS One [Accessed 7 May 2016]

PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 7 May 2016]

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Research Article
Latent Tuberculosis in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review
Isabelle Malhamé, Maxime Cormier, Jordan Sugarman, Kevin Schwartzman
| published 05 May 2016 | PLOS ONE
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0154825

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Predictors of Uptake and Timeliness of Newly Introduced Pneumococcal and Rotavirus Vaccines, and of Measles Vaccine in Rural Malawi: A Population Cohort Study
Hazzie Mvula, Ellen Heinsbroek, Menard Chihana, Amelia C. Crampin, Storn Kabuluzi, Geoffrey Chirwa, Charles Mwansambo, Anthony Costello, Nigel A. Cunliffe, Robert S. Heyderman, Neil French, Naor Bar-Zeev, VacSurv Consortium
Research Article | published 06 May 2016 | PLOS ONE
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0154997
Abstract
Background
Malawi introduced pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and monovalent rotavirus vaccine (RV1) in 2011 and 2012 respectively, and is planning the introduction of a second-dose measles vaccine (MV). We assessed predictors of availability, uptake and timeliness of these vaccines in a rural Malawian setting.
Methods
Commencing on the first date of PCV13 eligibility we conducted a prospective population-based birth cohort study of 2,616 children under demographic surveillance in Karonga District, northern Malawi who were eligible for PCV13, or from the date of RV1 introduction both PCV13 and RV1. Potential predictors of vaccine uptake and timeliness for PCV13, RV1 and MV were analysed respectively using robust Poisson and Cox regression.
Results
Vaccine coverage was high for all vaccines, ranging from 86.9% for RV1 dose 2 to 95.4% for PCV13 dose 1. Median time delay for PCV13 dose 1 was 17 days (IQR 7–36), 19 days (IQR 8–36) for RV1 dose 1 and 20 days (IQR 3–46) for MV. Infants born to lower educated or farming mothers and those living further away from the road or clinic were at greater risk of being not fully vaccinated and being vaccinated late. Delays in vaccination were also associated with non-facility birth. Vaccine stock-outs resulted in both a delay in vaccine timeliness and in a decrease in completion of schedule.
Conclusion
Despite high vaccination coverage in this setting, delays in vaccination were common. We identified programmatic and socio-demographic risk factors for uptake and timeliness of vaccination. Understanding who remains most vulnerable to be unvaccinated allows for focussed delivery thereby increasing population coverage and maximising the equitable benefits of universal vaccination programmes.

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Perceptions of Psychological Coercion and Human Trafficking in the West Midlands of England: Beginning to Know the Unknown
Coral J. Dando, David Walsh, Robin Brierley
Research Article | published 05 May 2016 | PLOS ONE
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0153263

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Assessing the Effect of mHealth Interventions in Improving Maternal and Neonatal Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review
Stephanie Felicie Victoria Sondaal, Joyce Linda Browne, Mary Amoakoh-Coleman, Alexander Borgstein, Andrea Solnes Miltenburg, Mirjam Verwijs, Kerstin Klipstein-Grobusch
Research Article | published 04 May 2016 | PLOS ONE
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0154664

Reproductive Health [Accessed 7 May 2016]

Reproductive Health
http://www.reproductive-health-journal.com/content
[Accessed 7 May 2016]

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Research
A new wave in the quiet revolution in contraceptive use in Nepal: the rise of emergency contraception
In Nepal, while the use of the emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) has been increasing rapidly in recent years, very little is known about the profile of ECP users.
Shyam Thapa
Published on: 4 May 2016

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Research
Motherhood in childhood: addressing reproductive health hazards among adolescent married women in India
In India, due to the high prevalence of child marriage, most adolescent pregnancies occur within marriage. Pregnancy and childbirth complications are among the leading causes of death in girls aged 15 to 19…
Shraboni Patra
Published on: 4 May 2016

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Research
Empowerment, intimate partner violence and skilled birth attendance among women in rural Uganda
There is limited research on how the empowerment of women and intimate partner violence (IPV) are associated with skilled birth attendance (SBA) among rural women in Uganda.
Betty Kwagala, Olivia Nankinga, Stephen Ojiambo Wandera, Patricia Ndugga and Allen Kabagenyi
Published on: 4 May 2016

Amazon rainforest to get a growth check

Science
06 May 2016 Vol 352, Issue 6286
http://www.sciencemag.org/current.dtl

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In Depth – Global Change
Amazon rainforest to get a growth check
Daniel Grossman
Science 06 May 2016:
Vol. 352, Issue 6286, pp. 635-636
DOI: 10.1126/science.352.6286.635
Summary
An international team of researchers is about to launch a project that could help answer whether the mighty photosynthetic engine of the Amazon rainforest will consume enough atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) to slow global warming. Called AmazonFACE (Free-Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment), it’s based on a simple idea: For 12 years, researchers will spray pure CO2 into instrumented plots in the rainforest northwest of Manaus, Brazil, raising ambient concentrations to 600 parts per million—a level the world could reach as early as 2050—all the while taking meticulous measurements to determine how the gas affects the growth of plants. That’s a key question because through photosynthesis, land plants currently take up about a quarter of the CO2 humans add to the atmosphere each year, sequestering it as wood and as soil carbon. This natural uptake slows the buildup of CO2 in the air, moderating global warming. FACE experiments have been conducted at dozens of sites in more than a dozen countries, but never before in the Amazon. Researchers must surmount a host of logistical challenges both before and after construction starts next year.

Wellcome Trust [to 30 April 2016]

Wellcome Trust [to 30 April 2016]
http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/News/2016/index.htm
28 April 2016
Top Wellcome researchers awarded Academy Fellowships
Eighteen researchers we’re supporting, and a number in the wider Wellcome community, have today been elected to the prestigious Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

Mike Turner appointed Acting Director of Science
Mike Turner, currently Head of Infection and Immunobiology at the Wellcome Trust, has been appointed Acting Director of Science until a permanent appointment is made. 26 April 2016

Wellcome appoints new Head of Public Engagement
Imran Khan has been appointed Head of Public Engagement at the Wellcome Trust, where he will play a key role in shaping and growing public engagement with science in the UK and globally.
25 April 2016

:: Journal Watch

:: Journal Watch
The Sentinel will track key peer-reviewed journals which address a broad range of interests in human rights, humanitarian response, health and development. It is not intended to be exhaustive. We will add to those monitored below as we encounter relevant content and upon recommendation from readers. We selectively provide full text of abstracts and other content but note that successful access to some of the articles and other content may require subscription or other access arrangement unique to the publisher. Please suggest additional journals you feel warrant coverage.

Childhood Adversity and Adult Reports of Food Insecurity Among Households With Children

American Journal of Preventive Medicine
May 2016 Volume 50, Issue 5, p553-676, e123-e162
http://www.ajpmonline.org/current

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Research Articles
Childhood Adversity and Adult Reports of Food Insecurity Among Households With Children
Jing Sun, Molly Knowles, Falguni Patel, Deborah A. Frank, Timothy C. Heeren, Mariana Chilton
p561–572
Published online: November 16 2015
Open Access
Preview
Exposure to childhood adversity, including abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, is associated with negative long-term health and economic outcomes. Little is known about how adversity exposure in parents’ early lives may be related to later food insecurity for parents and their children. This study investigated the association between female caregivers’ adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and household and child food insecurity, taking into account depressive symptoms.
Abstract
Introduction
Exposure to childhood adversity, including abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, is associated with negative long-term health and economic outcomes. Little is known about how adversity exposure in parents’ early lives may be related to later food insecurity for parents and their children. This study investigated the association between female caregivers’ adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and household and child food insecurity, taking into account depressive symptoms.
Methods
This study used cross-sectional data from 1,255 female caregivers of children aged 7.1% higher than IIV, but never cost saving when absolute LAIV effectiveness was <3.5% higher than IIV.
Conclusions
Results support CDC’s decision to no longer prefer LAIV use and provide guidance on effectiveness differences between influenza vaccines that might lead to preferential LAIV recommendation for children aged 2–8 years.

American Journal of Public Health – Volume 106, Issue 5 (May 2016)

American Journal of Public Health
Volume 106, Issue 5 (May 2016)
http://ajph.aphapublications.org/toc/ajph/current

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AJPH EDITORIALS
SOCIAL ISOLATION
Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Living Alone: Identifying the Risks for Public Health
Eric Klinenberg
American Journal of Public Health: May 2016, Vol. 106, No. 5: 786–787.

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AJPH PERSPECTIVES
CORRECTIONAL HEALTH
Mainstream Health Care in Taiwan’s Prisons: A Model for Expanding Medicaid Coverage to Incarcerated Americans
Michael S. Chen, San-Kuei Huang
American Journal of Public Health: May 2016, Vol. 106, No. 5: 794–795

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AJPH GLOBAL HEALTH FORUM
UNIVERSAL COVERAGE
Being Fair in Universal Health Coverage: Prioritize Public Health Services for Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Mathew George
American Journal of Public Health: May 2016, Vol. 106, No. 5: 830–831

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AJPH LETTERS AND RESPONSES
REFUGEE HEALTH
Syrian Refugees Constitute 20% of Jordan’s Population
Mujalli M. Murshidi
American Journal of Public Health: May 2016, Vol. 106, No. 5: e18–e18.

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Supporting Syrian Refugees: The Need for a Multidisciplinary Action Plan
Samy A. Azer
American Journal of Public Health: May 2016, Vol. 106, No. 5: e18–e19.