Socio-demographic and geographic disparities in HIV prevalence, HIV testing and treatment coverage: An analysis of 108 national household surveys in 33 African countries.

Introduction: Socio-demographic and geographic disparities in HIV prevalence, uptake of HIV testing and access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) persist in high HIV burden countries. Understanding demographic, spatial and temporal factors can guide interventions.

Methods: We analysed 108 geo-referenced population-based surveys conducted over 2000-2023 across 33 African countries, involving 2.

Inequality in Childhood Immunization Coverage: A Scoping Review of Data Sources, Analyses, and Reporting Methods.

Immunization through vaccines among children has contributed to improved childhood survival and health outcomes globally. However, vaccine coverage among children is unevenly distributed across settings and populations. The measurement of inequalities is essential for understanding gaps in vaccine coverage affecting certain sub-populations and monitoring progress towards achieving equity.

Temporal Trends and Determinants of HIV Testing at Antenatal Care in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Pooled Analysis of Population-Based Surveys (2005-2021).

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), integrating HIV testing into antenatal care (ANC) has been crucial toward reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. With the introduction of new testing modalities, we explored temporal trends in HIV testing within and outside of ANC and identified sociodemographic determinants of testing during ANC.

Methods: We analyzed data from 139 nationally representative household surveys conducted between 2005 and 2021, including more than 2.

A small area model to assess temporal trends and sub-national disparities in healthcare quality.

Monitoring subnational healthcare quality is important for identifying and addressing geographic inequities. Yet, health facility surveys are rarely powered to support the generation of estimates at more local levels. With this study, we propose an analytical approach for estimating both temporal and subnational patterns of healthcare quality indicators from health facility survey data.

Short-Term Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on HIV Care Utilization, Service Delivery, and Continuity of HIV Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) in Haiti.

Introduction: Our study describes changes in HIV care service delivery and continuity of HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) for people living with HIV (PLHIV) during the 8 weeks before and after diagnosis of the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Haiti on March 19, 2020.

Methods: Using data from 96 out of 167 health facilities offering ART services, we compared four ART program indicators: (1) count of HIV visits; (2) proportion of ART dispenses in community-based settings (DAC); (3) proportion of multi-month dispensing of ART medications > 6 months (> 6 m MMD); and (4) proportion of timely ART refills. We used uncontrolled interrupted time series (ITS) models to estimate slope and level changes in each indicator with the arrival of COVID-19.

Closing the gap in implementation of HIV clinical guidelines in a low resource setting using electronic medical records.

Background: Universal health coverage promises equity in access to and quality of health services. However, there is variability in the quality of the care (QoC) delivered at health facilities in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Detecting gaps in implementation of clinical guidelines is key to prioritizing the efforts to improve quality of care.

Image-guided tumour biopsies in a prospective molecular triage study (MOSCATO-01): What are the real risks?

Purpose: To evaluate efficacy, complications and preprocedural risk factors for percutaneous image-guided core needle biopsy of malignant tumours for genomic tumour analysis.

Materials And Methods: Procedural data for core biopsies performed at a single centre for the MOSCATO-01 clinical trial were prospectively recorded between December 2011 and March 2016. Data assessed included patient demographics, tumour characteristics, procedural outcomes and complications.

Can we trust the calculation of texture indices of CT images? A phantom study.

Purpose: Texture analysis is an emerging tool in the field of medical imaging analysis. However, many issues have been raised in terms of its use in assessing patient images and it is crucial to harmonize and standardize this new imaging measurement tool. This study was designed to evaluate the reliability of texture indices of CT images on a phantom including a reproducibility study, to assess the discriminatory capacity of indices potentially relevant in CT medical images and to determine their redundancy.

Precision medicine for patients with advanced biliary tract cancers: An effective strategy within the prospective MOSCATO-01 trial.

Background: Recommended treatments of patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (aBTC) are limited to one chemotherapy doublet. Nevertheless, efficacy of treatment personalisation for aBTCs is supported by accumulating evidences but remains to be evaluated.

Patients And Methods: Patients with aBTCs included in the prospective clinical trial MOSCATO-01 were treated by at least one previous systemic treatment, had an ECOG performance status of 0-1, and at least one tumour site accessible to biopsy.

Molecular Screening for Cancer Treatment Optimization (MOSCATO-01) in Pediatric Patients: A Single-Institutional Prospective Molecular Stratification Trial.

This single-institutional feasibility study prospectively characterized genomic alterations in recurrent or refractory solid tumors of pediatric patients to select a targeted therapy. Following treatment failure, patients with signed consent and ages above 6 months, underwent tumor biopsy or surgical resection of primary or metastatic tumor site. These newly acquired samples were analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization array, next-generation sequencing for 75 target genes, whole-exome and RNA sequencing.