The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) has proven an effective ...strategy to end paediatric infections and ensure HIV-infected mothers access treatment. Based on cross-sectional data collected from June 2008 to May 2013, we assessed changes in HIV prevalence, risk factors for HIV, provision of PMTCT antiretroviral treatment (ART), and the association between HIV infection, birth outcomes and maternal characteristics at the Simão Mendes National Hospital, Guinea-Bissau's largest maternity ward. Among 24,107 women, the HIV prevalence was 3.3% for HIV-1, 0.8% for HIV-2 and 0.9% for HIV-1/2. A significant decline in HIV-1, HIV-2, and HIV-1/2 prevalence was observed over time. HIV infection was associated with age and ethnicity. A total of 85% of HIV-infected women received ART as part of PMTCT, yet overall treatment coverage during labour and delivery declined significantly for both mothers and infants. Twenty-two percent of infants did not receive treatment, and 67% of HIV-2-infected mothers and 77% of their infants received ineffective non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors for PMTCT. Maternal HIV was associated with low birth weight but not stillbirth. Inadequate continuity of care and ART coverage present challenges to optimal PMTCT in Guinea-Bissau.
Introduction: Studies have shown that health care professionals lack cultural knowledge and cultural competences in the care of patients with a minority background. The aim of this study was to ...explore whether a cultural teaching program, the so-called ethnic patient coordinator program, had an impact on health professionals’ self-perceived clinical competences in the encounter with the minority patient. Methodology: The study was designed as a qualitative study using participant observation and semistructured interviews with a practice-led research approach. In total, 30 health professionals participated in the program. Results/Discussion: The coordinators described that they had learned to focus systematically on reducing language barriers and to overcome prejudices. Their new competences not only had a direct influence on patient-related practical skills but also affected the practice culture and their colleagues’ approach to vulnerable patients with a minority background. Conclusion/Implication: The presence of an ethnic patient coordinator team may give rise to a more migrant-friendly and culturally competent hospital.
The World Health Organization recommends HIV testing is included in routine screening tests for all pregnant women in order to prevent mother-to-child-transmission of HIV and reduce maternal ...morbidity and mortality.
To assess the proportion of women approached and tested for HIV at delivery and factors associated with non-testing at the maternity ward of the Simão Mendes National Hospital (HNSM) in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.
We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study among women presenting for delivery from June 2008 until May 2013. During the study period, national policy included opt-out HIV-testing at delivery. Modified Poisson regression models were used to examine the association of maternal characteristics with HIV testing. Time trends were determined using Pearson's χ2 test.
Seventy-seven percent (24,217/31,443) of women presenting for delivery were counselled regarding PMTCT, of whom 99.6% (24,107/24,217) proceeded with HIV testing. The provision of opt-out HIV testing at labour increased from 38.1% (1,514/3973) in 2008 to 95.7% (2,021/2,113) in 2013, p<0.001. There were four distinct periods (two or more consecutive calendar months) when less than 50% of women delivering at HNSM were tested. Periods of political instability were significantly associated with not testing for HIV (adjusted prevalence ratio APR 1.79; 95% CI 1.73-1.84), as was a lower educational status (APR 1.05; 95% CI 1.00-1.10), admission during evenings/nights (APR 1.05; 95% CI 1.01-1.09) and on Sundays (APR 1.14; 95% CI 1.07-1.22) and Mondays (APR 1.12; 95% CI 1.05-1.19).
Rapid scale-up of PMTCT HIV testing services and high testing coverage was possible in this resource-limited setting but suffered from regular interruptions, most likely because of test stock-outs. Establishing proper stock management systems and back-up plans for periods of political instability is required to ensure the maintenance of health system core functions and increase health system resilience.
Immigrant patients run a risk of receiving lower quality of care. Co-production, as the concept of how to collaboratively create valuable healthcare service for the patient, offers a new perspective ...that might help. The scoping review aimed at identifying and analysing factors facilitating co-production between immigrant patients and healthcare professionals.
We searched seven scientific databases for peer-reviewed publications of all study designs. Two reviewers independently screened the publications for eligibility and performed data extraction. Data were analysed by applying an inductive, interpretive approach for data synthesis.
Fifteen publications were included for analysis. We identified six factors hat facilitate co-production: 1) prioritizing co-production in the organization, 2) providing a safe environment that promotes trust and patience, 3) using a language the patient understands, 4) respecting the patient's knowledge and priorities, 5) improvising with knowledge and courage, and 6) engaging in self-reflection.
The scoping review illustrated that co-production with immigrant patients can be successful if the system and professionals are interested and prepared. Immigrant patients could be a valuable source of information and powerful co-producers of their own health. The study contributed to a growing body of research on patient-professional co-production in healthcare and might also prove relevant for other disadvantaged patient groups.
•Health assessments of newly arrived refugees detected health problems in 64%.•Symptoms of PTSD were mentioned in a third of all health assessments.•Vitamin D-deficiency was seen in 32% and latent ...tuberculosis in 15%.•88% of all newly arrived refugees in Aarhus accepted the offer of a health assessment.
Refugees have increased health risks due to factors related to their country of origin, the migration itself and the receiving country. Based on systematic general health assessments of newly arrived refugees, we aimed to study the characteristics with regard to background, migration and health needs.
All refugees (children/adolescents and adults) arriving in Aarhus, Denmark from 1 January 2014 to 1 November 2018 were offered a general health assessment by a doctor including: medical history, a physical examination and blood samples.
A cohort of 1431 (of 1618 invited, (88.4%) participants accepted the health assessment. The most commonly found health conditions in children were vitamin D deficiency (28.3%), elevated serum-IgE (34%) and lack of immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases (measles 20.1%, polio 3.9%). In adults, vitamin D deficiency (34.6%), IgE elevation (30%), latent tuberculosis (20.3%) and symptoms of PTSD (15.9%) were most prevalent. We found participants from Southern Asia (Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan) to be overrepresented with regard to vitamin D deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency and symptoms of PTSD. Furthermore, we found that origin in Africa was associated with latent tuberculosis. In total, 63.8% of examined refugees had one or more health problems requiring further testing, treatment or follow-up.
A comprehensive health assessment among recently arrived refugees showed multiple health issues to address, and demonstrates the need of systematic health assessments for resettling refugees.
Older migrants with cognitive impairment exposed to polypharmacy constitute a vulnerable group of patients. To our knowledge, evidence on medication safety among this patient group with multiple risk ...factors is lacking.
To explore the perspectives of health care professionals on medication safety among older migrants with cognitive impairment taking five or more medications daily.
A total of 34 health care professionals (general practitioners and hospital-, community pharmacy-, and home care staff) participated in the study, comprising nine focus groups and one semi-structured interview, and shared their perspectives on medication safety among older migrants with cognitive impairment exposed to polypharmacy. The analysis was inspired by Revsbæk and Tanggaard's “Analyzing in the Present” and was followed by systematic text condensation.
Three main themes emerged: (i) the importance of relationships in medication safety, (ii) culture and finances as risk factors, and (iii) the health care system as a risk factor. Subthemes and codes were related within and across main themes and revealed a high level of complexity within the barriers to medication safety. Some of these barriers were closely related to characteristics of this specific patient group, while others were more general barriers that also affected other patient groups. Participants found that these more general problems were complicated further by language barriers and cognitive impairment when working with this patient group.
Health care professionals across various sectors and professions experienced several barriers that threatened medication safety among older migrants with cognitive impairment exposed to polypharmacy. Closer collaboration between health care professionals, patients, and relatives is required to improve medication safety.
Purpose: Older non-Western migrants in Europe are a vulnerable population, due to old age and multiple disadvantages related to language barriers and different understandings of care, health, and ...disease. Our aim was to gain a better understanding and insight into the care needs of families with refugee background Method: The study was designed as a qualitative exploration using semistructured individual interviews and family group interviews. Results: The results illustrate how vulnerability can “transmit” from one family member to another. Discrepancies between the older person’s expectations and needs and society’s expectations trap family members in ethical and moral dilemmas. This divides and stresses the family and results in difficult decision making, increased stress, and vulnerability. Conclusion and Implication: Migration and displacement can lead to ambivalent feelings among younger relatives regarding their role in caring for older relatives. Health professionals need to address and acknowledge this to be able to provide culturally congruent health care.
Background
Approximately one-third of patient appointments in Danish health care result in failures, leading to patient risk and sizable resource waste. Existing interventions to alleviate no-shows ...often target the patients. The underlying reason behind these interventions is a view that attendance or nonattendance is solely the patient’s problem. However, these interventions often prove to be ineffective and can perpetuate social biases and health inequalities, leaving behind patients who are more vulnerable or disadvantaged (in terms of social, economical, and linguistic factors, etc). A more holistic understanding of no-shows is needed to optimize processes, reduce waste, and support patients who are vulnerable.
Objective
This study aims to gain a deep and more comprehensive understanding of the causes, mechanisms, and recurring patterns and elements contributing to nonattendance at Danish hospitals in the Region of Southern Denmark. It emphasizes the patient perspective and analyzes the relational and organizational processes surrounding no-shows in health care. In addition, the study aims to identify effective communicative strategies and organizational processes that can support the development and implementation of successful interventions.
Methods
The study uses mixed quantitative-qualitative methods, encompassing 4 analytical projects focusing on nonattendance patterns, patient knowledge and behavior, the management of hospital appointments, and in situ communication. To address the complexity of no-shows in health care, the study incorporates various data sources. The quantitative data sources include the electronic patient records, Danish central registries, Danish National Patient Registry, and Register of Medicinal Product Statistics. Baseline characteristics of patients at different levels are compared using chi-square tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The qualitative studies involve observational data, individual semistructured interviews with patients and practitioners, and video recordings of patient consultations.
Results
This paper presents the protocol of the study, which was funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation in July 2022. Recruitment started in February 2023. It is anticipated that the quantitative data analysis will be completed by the end of September 2023, with the qualitative investigation starting in October 2023. The first study findings are anticipated to be available by the end of 2024.
Conclusions
The existing studies of nonattendance in Danish health care are inadequate in addressing relational and organizational factors leading to hospital no-shows. Interventions have had limited effect, highlighting the Danish health care system’s failure to accommodate patients who are vulnerable. Effective interventions require a qualitative approach and robust ethnographic data to supplement the description and categorization of no-shows at hospitals. Obtaining comprehensive knowledge about the causes of missed patient appointments will yield practical benefits, enhancing the safety, coherence, and quality of treatment in health care.
International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)
PRR1-10.2196/46227
The burden of diabetes mellitus in Sub-Saharan Africa is growing rapidly, and yet the prevalence and patient characteristics are still largely unknown.
We analyzed clinical and demographic ...characteristics of Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients attending a diabetes clinic in Guinea-Bissau from February 2008 to April 2014, and estimated the prevalence and risk factors of unknown-impaired fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and diabetes, as well as excess mortality associated with T2DM.
We characterized T2DM patients attending the national diabetes clinic in Bissau. Diabetes was diagnosed based on FPG. We matched T2DM patients 1:1 with non-diabetes community controls on age and sex to determine relevant risk factors for T2DM using logistic regression. Furthermore, we matched patients 1:6 with community controls to assess long-term survival (until February 2019) in a Cox regression using calendar time as the underlying timescale. Verbal autopsies determined the cause of death among T2DM patients and controls.
The mean age among T2DM was 50.6 (SD 11.1), and the mean FPG at first consultation was high (13.2 mmol/L (SD 5.1)). Ethnicity, family history of diabetes, hypertension, and anthropometrics differed among T2DM patients, community controls with impaired FPG, and healthy controls. Family history of diabetes (OR = 5.65, 95% CI: 3.10-10.3) and elevated waist circumference (2.33, 1.26-4.29) were significant risk factors for T2DM. 20.4% (59/289) of community controls had abnormal FPG. T2DM patients had an excess mortality hazard ratio of 3.53 (95%CI: 1.92-6.52). Deaths caused by bacterial infections, including foot ulcers, were more common among T2DM patients, compared with community controls (54% (7/13) vs. 19% (5/27) (P = 0.02)).
Several risk factors including were associated with T2DM in Guinea-Bissau. We found a high prevalence of elevated FPG among randomly selected community controls. In combination with higher mortality among T2DM patients, an urgent need for better treatment options and increased awareness.
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