Knowledge translation (KT) interventions encompass a variety of activities, platforms, tools, approaches, and strategies designed to leverage research evidence to enhance health policy and practice. This study aims to review and synthesize existing evidence regarding the sources of evidence for KT, platforms and tools, and their opportunities and challenges in strengthening health policy and practice. A qualitative synthesis of the literature was conducted, adhering to scoping review guidelines. Relevant articles were identified through searches in seven databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, PsycINFO, and Web of Science) utilizing keywords combined with Boolean operators. Additional articles were searched in Google Scholar. The search included articles published globally up to July 30, 2023, and was restricted to English-language publications. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist was followed. Thematic analysis was performed, organizing emerging themes into four overarching categories: the source of evidence for KT, platforms and tools, opportunities, and challenges. The final review included 64 articles. Several themes emerged in each category of analysis. For instance, the source of evidence for KT interventions was primarily derived from review-informed findings and tacit knowledge. KT interventions were facilitated through various platforms and tools, such as advisory committees, review and monitoring meetings, policy dialogues, frameworks, and digital tools including social media. Identified opportunities for KT included health system leadership, knowledge co-production, partnerships, organizational readiness, and evidence contextualization. Conversely, challenges included inadequate institutionalization of integrated approaches, organizational hierarchies, and fragmentation of KT efforts. This study synthesizes insights into the sources of knowledge, KT platforms, and institutional arrangements, as well as the opportunities and challenges associated with KT interventions. The synthesized knowledge, drawn from reviews and experiential learning, can serve as a valuable resource for KT, disseminated through diverse platforms. Collaborative partnerships among evidence producers, users, and knowledge brokers, supported by appropriate frameworks, are essential for enhancing KT and improving health policy and practice.

ABSTRACT Background The TROG 99.03 trial demonstrated improved progression‐free survival for patients with early‐stage follicular lymphoma (FL) treated with systemic therapy using rituximab‐cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisolone (R‐CVP) after involved‐field radiotherapy (RT) versus RT. As systemic therapy was associated with more acute toxicity, the possibility of long‐term toxicity, and no survival benefit yet, the cost‐effectiveness of RT+R‐CVP is important. Aim We performed a cost‐effectiveness analysis of RT (reference), RT+CVP, and RT+R‐CVP from the TROG 99.03 trial. Methods We constructed a Markov model (15‐year horizon) to compare treatments: RT (reference), RT+CVP and RT+R‐CVP from the 150 patients in the TROG 99.03 trial. Median follow‐up was 11.3 years (range: 4.4–17.8). Lifetime direct health care costs, quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALYs) and incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated. Australian dollars AUD$50,000 was defined as the proposed willingness‐to‐pay threshold (WTP). Results RT+R‐CVP was associated with an improvement of 0.711 QALYs compared to RT, 0.532 QALYs compared to RT+CVP, and was the dominant strategy. The costs of adverse events or retreatment for relapses or transformation had a minimal influence on the ICERs. Sensitivity analyses resulted in ICER values below the WTP with RT+R‐CVP remaining the dominant strategy. Conclusion RT+R‐CVP is clearly cost‐effective and was the dominant strategy in early‐stage FL compared to RT or RT+CVP as it delivers superior outcomes at a lower cost from the Australian tax‐payer's perspective. Trial Registration The authors have confirmed clinical trial registration is not needed for this submission

BACKGROUND:The implementation of the primary health care (PHC) approach requires essential health system inputs, including structures, policies, programs, organization, and governance. Effective health system governance (HSG) is crucial in PHC systems and services, as it can significantly influence health service delivery. Therefore, understanding HSG in the context of PHC is vital for designing and implementing health programs that contribute to universal health coverage (UHC). This scoping review explores how health system governance contributes to delivering PHC services aimed at achieving UHC. METHODS:We conducted a scoping review of published evidence on HSG in the delivery of PHC services toward UHC. Our search strategy focused on three key concepts: health system governance, PHC, and UHC. We followed Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework and adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist to guide our methodology. We used the World Health Organization's framework on HSG to organize the data and present the findings. RESULTS:Seventy-four studies were included in the final review. Various functions of HSG influenced PHC systems and services, including:1) formulating health policies and strategic plans (e.g., addressing epidemiological and demographic shifts and strategic financial planning), 2) implementing policy levers and tools (such as decentralization, regulation, workforce capacity, and supply chain management), 3) generating intelligence and evidence (including priority setting, monitoring, benchmarking, and evidence-informed decision-making), 4) ensuring accountability (through commitments to transparency), and 5) fostering coordination and collaboration (via subnational coordination, civil society engagement, and multisectoral partnerships). The complex interplay of these HSG interventions operates through intricate mechanisms, and has synergistic effects on PHC service delivery. CONCLUSION:PHC service delivery is closely linked to HSG functions, which include formulating strategic policies and plans responsive to evolving epidemiological and demographic needs, utilizing digital tools, decentralizing resources, and fostering multisectoral actions. Effective policy implementation requires robust regulation, evidence-based decision-making, and continuous monitoring. Accountability within health systems, alongside community engagement and civil society collaboration, is vital for realizing PHC principles. Local health institutions should collaborate with communities-end users of these systems-to implement formal rules and ensure PHC service delivery progresses toward UHC. Sociocultural contexts and community values should inform decision-making aligning health needs and services to achieve universal access to PHC services.

Universal health coverage (UHC) is a critical target in many health system strategies to achieve 'good health and wellbeing'. Evidence on the meaning and scope of UHC and the strategies required to achieve it are needed, as variations in its understanding and implementation have risen. This realist review was conducted to fill the knowledge gap by synthesising evidence on the meaning, components, significance, and strategies of UHC. A review of evidence was conducted based on realist synthesis. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science for published materials and websites for grey literature. We have followed some steps: define the scope of the review and develop initial programme theory, search for evidence, data extraction, and synthesise evidence. This review revealed that universal coverage, universal health, universal healthcare, universal access, and insurance coverage are used interchangeably with UHC. It is a legal notion that embodies a human rights-based and collaborative approach to ensure fair and comprehensive health care services. Universal health coverage is relevant for three macro reasons: first, it prevents and reduces the impact of diseases; second, it addresses inequality and promotes equity; and third, it is key for global health security. Various mechanisms are involved to implement UHC, such as health insurance, social health protection, digital financing systems, value-based care, private sectors, civil societies, partnerships, primary health care, and reciprocal health care systems. In conclusion, universal health coverage is a multifaceted concept that various terms can express in different contexts. Universal health coverage is a political and ethical imperative that aims to promote health equity and protect human dignity across different levels of society. It is essential in preventing diseases and crucial to global health security. Practically, UHC is not truly universal, as it does not include all services under its scheme and varies across countries. This requires consistent advocacy, strategic and operational research, and political will to ensure UHC.

ABSTRACT Introduction Following the 2016 legalization of medicinal cannabis (MC) in Australia, significant barriers have led patients to seek unregulated cannabis for therapeutic use. This study examines consumer (patient, carer and family) submissions to a senate inquiry on these barriers to understand how future policy might better reflect patient needs and facilitate access to regulated MC. Methods Sixty submissions from patients (n = 44), their caregivers or family members (n = 16) were coded using NVivo 12 software and thematically analysed. The findings were presented narratively using a consumer vulnerability framework. Results The analysis identified three primary barriers to accessing regulated MC: (1) Health practitioners' reluctance to prescribe MC, hindering prescription access, (2) High costs associated with MC and its access process, disproportionately affecting low‐income consumers and (3) Dependence on imported MC products, leading to shortages and necessitating product substitutions that incur additional costs and bureaucratic hurdles. Despite these barriers, consumers demonstrated resilience by educating themselves about MC, planning for prescription needs and forming support networks. Patients also turned to illicit MC markets. Conclusion The study reveals significant barriers to regulated MC access in Australia, highlighting the complex challenges consumers face. The reliance on unregulated sources of MC not only poses legal and health risks but also underscores the urgent need for policy reforms. By addressing the identified barriers, such as alleviating the costs associated with MC and improving approval processes and ensuring product availability, policymakers can better meet consumer needs and facilitate safer access to regulated MC. Patient or Public Contribution The materials of this document analysis were patient and public submissions to a government enquiry into barriers to a health technology. By providing submissions, both patients and the public were actively engaging in the development of health policy.

BACKGROUND:As Ethiopia advances towards efficient resource utilization and UHC through strategic health purchasing, the institutionalization of HTA will play a critical role. This study aims to identify key stakeholders, analyze the political economy surrounding HTA and priority setting in Ethiopia, and assess existing skills and capacities for a robust and sustainable HTA system. METHODS:We employed a mixed-method approach, combining 16 key informant interviews, 24 document reviews, and a cross-sectional survey (n=65) to assess national HTA capacity. We employed the Walt and Gilson policy analysis triangle framework, alongside Campos and Reich's framework, to evaluate the context, process, content, and actors influencing HTA institutionalization, and to explore the complex interplay of institutions, positions, power, and interests among various stakeholders. RESULTS:While there is a general commitment to implementing HTA across various government agencies and stakeholder groups, the institutionalization process faces several challenges, involving multiple agencies with overlapping mandates, raises bureaucratic challenges and potential conflicts, risking horizontal fragmentation as agencies compete for authority, budget, and influence. The involvement of other key stakeholders, such as professional associations, patients, and the public, is notably lacking. Challenges such as limited HTA expertise, high professional turnover, and gaps in specific HTA knowledge areas persist, with capacity-building efforts often failing to address organizational needs effectively. CONCLUSIONS:The complexity of HTA institutionalization in Ethiopia underscores the necessity of managing intricate inter-agency dynamics, establishing a robust legal framework for an inclusive and transparent HTA process, building local capacity, and securing sustainable, domestically aligned funding.

OBJECTIVES:Telehealth is a promising tool for delivering lifestyle interventions for the management of health conditions. However, limited evidence exists regarding the cost-effectiveness of these interventions. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the current literature reporting on the cost-effectiveness of telehealth-delivered diet and/or exercise interventions. METHODS:Four electronic databases (PubMed, CENTRAL, CINAHL and Embase) were searched for published literature from database inception to November 2020. This review adhered to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines and the ISPOR Criteria for Cost-Effectiveness Review Outcomes Checklist. The quality of reporting was assessed using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards checklist. The extracted data were grouped into subcategories according to telehealth modality, organised into tables and reported narratively. RESULTS:Twenty-four studies of controlled trials (11 combined diet and exercise, 9 exercise-only and 4 diet-only telehealth-delivered interventions) were included for data extraction and quality assessment. Interventions were reported as cost-effective in 12 studies (50%), five studies (21%) reported inconclusive results, and seven studies (29%) reported that the interventions were not cost-effective. Telephone interventions were applied in eight studies (33%), seven studies (29%) used internet interventions, six studies (25%) used a combination of internet and telephone interventions, and three studies (13%) evaluated mHealth interventions. Quality of study reporting varied with between 54% and 92% of Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards items reported. CONCLUSIONS:This review suggests that telehealth-delivered lifestyle interventions can be cost-effective compared to traditional care. There is a need for further investigations that employ rigorous methodology and economic reporting, including appropriate decision analytical models and longer timeframes.

Aims Using pharmacokinetics (PK)‐guided 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) improves overall survival (OS) and decreases toxicity, yet its value for money in the Australian setting is unknown. Our study assesses the cost‐effectiveness of PK vs . body surface area (BSA) dosing of 5‐FU for patients with mCRC. Methods We developed a semi‐Markov model with four health states to compare PK‐guided dosing within a FOLFOX regimen vs . BSA‐guided dosing for mCRC patients from an Australian healthcare system perspective. Transition probabilities were derived from fitted survival models, with utility values obtained directly from published studies. We calculated direct healthcare costs, quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) and incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICERs), and included both one‐way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Results BSA‐guided FOLFOX provided 1.291 QALYs at a cost of $36 379, compared with PK‐guided FOLFOX which delivered 1.751 QALYs at a cost of $32 564. Therefore, PK‐guided dosing emerges as the dominant strategy offering both better health outcomes and lower costs. The variables that had the greatest impact on the overall ICER were the adverse event rates in the BSA and PK groups, model time horizon, utility of progression‐free survival and PREDICT assay cost. Our univariate and multivariate sensitivity analysis confirmed that the ICER for PK FOLFOX consistently remained below $50 000 per QALY across all tested variables. Conclusions PK dose management of 5‐FU‐based chemotherapy in mCRC patients appears to be a cost‐saving strategy in Australia. However, our model estimates are drawn from limited, low‐quality evidence. Further evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), directly comparing PK‐based to BSA‐based dosing across a variety of current regimens, is needed to address our model's uncertainties.

Background : Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) offers an alternative to inpatient (hospital bed-based) treatment of infections that require intravenous administration of antimicrobials. This meta-analysis aimed to summarise the evidence available from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the efficacy and safety of OPAT compared to inpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy. Methods : We searched the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Sciences databases for RCTs comparing outpatient versus inpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy. We included studies without restrictions on language or publication year. Eligibility was reviewed independently by two assessors, and data extraction was cross validated. We evaluated bias risk via the Cochrane tool and determined the evidence certainty using GRADE. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random effects model. The protocol of this review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023460389). Result Thirteen RCTs, involving 1,310 participants were included. We found no difference in mortality (Risk Ratio (RR) 0.54, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.23 to 1.26; p = 0.93), treatment failure (RR 1.0, CI 0.59 to 1.72; p = 0.99), adverse reaction related to antimicrobials (RR 0.89, CI 0.69 to 1.15; p = 0.38), and administration device (RR 0.58, CI 0.17 to 1.98; p = 0.87) between outpatient and inpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy. The overall body of evidence had a low level of certainty. Conclusion : Existing evidence suggests OPAT is a safe and effective alternative to inpatient treatment. Further RCTs are warranted for a thorough comparison of inpatient and outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy with a high level of certainty.

Background. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) causes chikungunya fever and has been responsible for major global epidemics of arthritic disease over the past two decades. Multiple CHIKV vaccine candidates are currently undergoing or have undergone human clinical trials, with one vaccine candidate receiving FDA approval. This scoping review was performed to evaluate the 'efficacy', 'safety' and 'duration of protection' provided by CHIKV vaccine candidates in human clinical trials. Methods. This scoping literature review addresses studies involving CHIKV vaccine clinical trials using available literature on the PubMed, Medline Embase, Cochrane Library and Clinicaltrial. gov databases published up to 25 August 2023. Covidence software was used to structure information and review the studies included in this article. Results. A total of 1138 studies were screened and, after removal of duplicate studies, 12 relevant studies were thoroughly reviewed to gather information. This review summarizs that all seven CHIKV vaccine candidates achieved over 90 % seroprotection against CHIKV after one or two doses. All vaccines were able to provide neutralizing antibody protection for at least 28 days. Conclusions. A variety of vaccine technologies have been used to develop CHIKV vaccine candidates. With one vaccine candidate having recently received FDA approval, it is likely that further CHIKV vaccines will be available commercially in the near future.

Community health programs (CHPs) are integral components of primary health care (PHC) systems and support the delivery of primary care and allied health and nursing care services. CHPs are necessary platforms for delivering health services toward universal health coverage (UHC). There are limited prior studies on comprehensive evidence synthesis on how CHPs strengthen community health systems for the demand and supply of PHC services. Therefore, this scoping review synthesized existing evidence on the interlinkage between CHPs and the community health system and beyond for delivering and utilising PHC services toward UHC. We conducted a scoping review of research articles on CHPs. We identified research articles in six databases (PubMed/Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Embase) and Google Scholar using search terms under three concepts: CHPs, PHC, and UHC. Of the 3836 records identified, 1407 duplicates were removed, and 2346 were removed based on titles and abstracts. A total of 83 articles were eligible for the full-text review; of them, 18 articles were removed with reasons, and the other 16 were included through hand search. Themes were identified and explained using Sacks and colleagues’ “Beyond the Building Block” framework. A total of 81 studies were included in the final review. Studies described CHPs as foundations for community health system readiness for PHC services, including decentralization in the health sector, community-controlled governance, resource mobilization, ensuring health commodities (e.g., through community pharmacies), and information evidence. These foundational inputs mediate the actions of CHPs by partnership with community organizations and health workforces (e.g., community health workers). CHPs contributed to improved access to health services by providing health services in public health emergencies, affordable and comprehensive care, and modifying social determinants of health. CHPs are platforms for implementing and delivering PHC services close to communities. They help to modify social determinants of health, promote health and wellbeing, reduce care costs, prevent disease progression, and reduce hospitalisation rates. CHPs are integral parts of community health systems and require investment to improve access to PHC services. Gaps and challenges of CHPs include inadequate funding, limited engagement of the private sector, poor quality of health services, and limited focus on non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Further implementation research is needed to mitigate the burden of NCDs. Health systems efforts focus on increasing resources (e.g., financial and human) required in CHPs to ensure the quality of PHC services provided through CHPs toward better service access, and reaching the unreached and achieve equity and universality of PHC services.

BACKGROUND:The growing adoption of continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiatives in healthcare has generated a surge in research interest to gain a deeper understanding of CQI. However, comprehensive evidence regarding the diverse facets of CQI in healthcare has been limited. Our review sought to comprehensively grasp the conceptualization and principles of CQI, explore existing models and tools, analyze barriers and facilitators, and investigate its overall impacts.METHODS:This qualitative scoping review was conducted using Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework. We searched articles in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EMBASE databases. In addition, we accessed articles from Google Scholar. We used mixed-method analysis, including qualitative content analysis and quantitative descriptive for quantitative findings to summarize findings and PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) framework to report the overall works.RESULTS:A total of 87 articles, which covered 14 CQI models, were included in the review. While 19 tools were used for CQI models and initiatives, Plan-Do-Study/Check-Act cycle was the commonly employed model to understand the CQI implementation process. The main reported purposes of using CQI, as its positive impact, are to improve the structure of the health system (e.g., leadership, health workforce, health technology use, supplies, and costs), enhance healthcare delivery processes and outputs (e.g., care coordination and linkages, satisfaction, accessibility, continuity of care, safety, and efficiency), and improve treatment outcome (reduce morbidity and mortality). The implementation of CQI is not without challenges. There are cultural (i.e., resistance/reluctance to quality-focused culture and fear of blame or punishment), technical, structural (related to organizational structure, processes, and systems), and strategic (inadequate planning and inappropriate goals) related barriers that were commonly reported during the implementation of CQI.CONCLUSIONS:Implementing CQI initiatives necessitates thoroughly comprehending key principles such as teamwork and timeline. To effectively address challenges, it's crucial to identify obstacles and implement optimal interventions proactively. Healthcare professionals and leaders need to be mentally equipped and cognizant of the significant role CQI initiatives play in achieving purposes for quality of care.

Background: Primary health care (PHC) is a whole-of-society approach that strengthens the national health system and brings health services closer to communities. It encompasses health service provision, community engagement, and multisectoral action. The health system’s performance regarding PHC is expected to be evaluated based on these three perspectives. However, comprehensive evidence presenting the elements to be evaluated in each aspect of PHC was lacking. Therefore, we assessed essential elements to be considered in the PHC monitoring and evaluation processes. Methods: We searched articles from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsycInfo. A complementary search of grey literature was conducted from Google Scholar, WHO website, Primary Health Care Program Initiative interface, and Google. We synthesised findings by bringing similar concepts into a common dimension based on predetermined set of activities, including identifying review questions, selecting relevant frameworks, extracting data, identifying domains, and categorising in major themes, The main themes are structure, input, process, output, and outcome. Results: A total of 48 monitoring and evaluation frameworks were included. When evaluating PHC performance, it’s essential to consider population characteristics and contexts, including social, economic, cultural, and political factors. Existing population-based data sources should inform these assessments. Within the broader context, global and national health systems need to address effective system structures. Key components include governance, leadership, health financing, and alignment with population health needs. Inputs such as physical infrastructure, health workforce, medicines, health information, and digital technologies play a crucial role. Processes involve models of care, quality improvement systems, and resilient health facilities and services. Outputs in service delivery encompass access, availability, and quality of care. The goal of the PHC system is to improve health outcomes (reduced morbidity and mortality) and achieve health system objectives (equity, efficiency, resilience, and responsiveness). Conclusions: The review identified areas of overlap within the three aspects of PHC. Many monitoring and evaluation frameworks lack comprehensiveness and uniformity, show differences between data sources, and use inadequate indicators. This review may offer insights for policy measures, clinical service enhancements, and community engagement strategies. It helps identify essential indicators towards the overarching goal of achieving universal health coverage, health security, and health system outcomes.

BackgroundDefining attributes and attribute levels for a discrete choice experiment (DCE) poses a significant challenge for practitioners exploring preferences for new or unfamiliar products due to the dearth of available information and limits in stakeholder knowledge. This study outlines a comprehensive process for identifying attributes and levels in a DCE aimed at gauging public preferences for health policies related to medicinal cannabis (MC).MethodsA rigorous four-stage attribute development process was utilized and included i) the formulation of a preliminary attribute list from a scoping review and document analysis, ii) reduction of attributes via focus groups, iii) removal of inappropriate attributes using Delphi studies and research team knowledge, and iv) refinement of attribute language based on the feedback from think-aloud interviews.ResultsA base attribute list formed from the scoping review and document analysis served as effective discussion stimuli in focus groups, especially for participants with limited subject knowledge. Structured focus group activities proved more effective than open-ended discussions in engaging naive participants. Delphi studies were found to be overcomplex for expert-led attribute prioritization. Think-aloud interviews during a pilot DCE were essential for assessing attribute language and clarity and understanding participants' decision-making processes.ConclusionThe development of DCE attributes measuring preferences for an unfamiliar health product requires a multi-method approach. Evaluating the outcomes from various methods of attribute development yielded a refined list of attributes that were significant to stakeholders, allowed for meaningful trade-offs, and were presented in language accessible to the target population.

Background: Current health insurance programs in Iran suffer from low enrolment and are not sufficient to attain the country to universal health coverage (UHC). The study hypothesized that improving the enrollment rate and moving towards more sustainable UHC can be achieved by improving the benefit package and providing new incentives. The objective of this study is to assess public preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for social health insurance (SHI) in Iran. Methods: A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted in 2022, using a self-administered questionnaire on 500 participants to estimate WTP and determine individual’s preferences for the SHI plan. Respondents were presented with an eight choice set, and asked to select their preferred one. In each choice set, scenarios were described by eight attributes with varying levels. The conditional logit regression model was used to analyze the participants preferences. WTP for each attribute was also calculated by STATA13. Results: Most of the included attributes were significant predictors of health insurance package selection. The maximum coverage of hospitalization costs in the private sector, ancillary services such as glasses, canes etc., as well as coverage for hospitalization costs in the public sector and drug costs, were the most important determining factors for this choice. Coverage of preventive dental care did not significantly affect respondent choices. Estimating WTP showed that individuals are willing to pay more for higher financial protection, particularly against private sector costs; the WTP to increase the coverage of hospitalization costs in the private sector from 50% to 90% is estimated at 362,068 IR, Rials per month. Conclusion: This study identifies the key factors that the population value with regard to health insurance and the tradeoffs they are willing to make between them. Hospitalization, drugs and ancillary services were the most important determining factors for their choice. The data suggests that additional resources coming into the Iranian health system might best be prioritized to covering hospitalization and drug costs and those associated with ancillary services.

BackgroundEnsuring high-quality healthcare for newborns is essential for improving their chances of survival within Ethiopia's healthcare system. Although various intervention approaches have been implemented, neonatal mortality rates remain stable. Therefore, the present review seeks to identify initiatives for enhancing healthcare quality, their effects on neonatal wellbeing, and the factors hindering or supporting these Quality Improvement (QI) efforts' success in Ethiopia.MethodsWe searched for original research studies up to June 23, 2023, using PubMed/Medline, WHO-Global Health Library, Cochrane, Clinical Trials.gov, and Hinari. After selecting eligible studies, we assessed their quality using a mixed-method appraisal tool. Quality of care refers to how healthcare services effectively improve desired outcomes for individuals and patient populations. It encompasses vital principles such as safety, effectiveness, timeliness, efficiency, equity, and patient-centeredness.ResultsWe found 3,027 publication records and included 13 studies during our search. All these interventions primarily aimed to provide safe healthcare, with a strong focus on Domain One, which deals with the evidence-based routine upkeep and handling of complications, and Domain Seven, which revolves around ensuring staff competency, emerged as a frequent target for intervention. Many interventions aimed at improving quality also concentrate on essential quality measure elements such as processes, focusing on the activities that occur during care delivery, and quality planning, involving distributing resources, such as basic medicine and equipment, and improving infrastructure. Moreover, little about the facilitators and barriers to QI interventions is investigated.ConclusionsThis review highlights the significance of introducing QI initiatives in Ethiopia, enhancing the healthcare system's capabilities, engaging the community, offering financial incentives, and leveraging mobile health technologies. Implementing QI interventions in Ethiopia poses difficulties due to resource constraints, insufficient infrastructure, and medical equipment and supplies shortages. It necessitates persistent endeavors to improve neonatal care quality, involving ongoing training, infrastructure enhancement, the establishment of standardized protocols, and continuous outcome monitoring. These efforts are crucial to achieving the optimal outcomes for newborns and their families.

Aim To summarise the research literature on the impacts or perceptions of policies to end tobacco use at a population level (ie, tobacco endgame policies) among people from eight priority population groups (experiencing mental illness, substance use disorders, HIV, homelessness, unemployment or low incomes, who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or intersex (LGBTQI+) or who have experienced incarceration). Methods Guided by JBI Scoping Review Methodology, we searched six databases for original research examining the impacts or perceptions of 12 tobacco endgame policies among eight priority populations published since 2000. We report the results according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. Results Of the 18 included studies, one described perceptions of five endgame policies among people on low incomes in Aotearoa (New Zealand), and 17 focused on the effectiveness or impacts of a very low nicotine content (VLNC) cigarette standard among people experiencing mental illness (n=14), substance use disorders (n=8), low incomes (n=6), unemployment (n=1) or who identify as LGBTQI+ (n=1) in the USA. These studies provide evidence that VLNC cigarettes can reduce tobacco smoking, cigarette cravings, nicotine withdrawal and nicotine dependence among these populations. Conclusions Most of the tobacco endgame literature related to these priority populations focuses on VLNC cigarettes. Identified research gaps include the effectiveness of endgame policies for reducing smoking, impacts (both expected and unexpected) and policy perceptions among these priority populations.

Importance Cancer prevention and care efforts have been challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic and armed conflicts, resulting in a decline in the global Human Development Index (HDI), particularly in low- and middle-income countries. These challenges and subsequent shifts in health care priorities underscore the need to continuously monitor cancer outcome disparities and statistics globally to ensure delivery of equitable and optimal cancer prevention and care in uncertain times. Objective To measure the global burden of 36 cancers in 2022 by sex, age, and geographic location and to project future trends by 2050. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study used population-based data from 2022 in 185 countries and territories were obtained from the Global Cancer Observatory database. Data extraction and analysis were carried out in April 2024. Main Outcomes and Measures Counts, rates, prevalence, mortality to incidence ratios (MIRs), and demography-based projections were used to characterize current and future cancer burden. Results This population-based study included 36 cancer types from 185 countries and territories. By 2050, 35.3 million cancer cases worldwide are expected, a 76.6% increase from the 2022 estimate of 20 million. Similarly, 18.5 million cancer deaths are projected by 2050, an 89.7% increase from the 2022 estimate of 9.7 million. Cancer cases and deaths are projected to nearly triple in low-HDI countries by 2050, compared to a moderate increase in very high-HDI countries (142.1% vs 41.7% for cancer cases and 146.1% vs 56.8% for cancer deaths). Males had a higher incidence and greater number of deaths in 2022 than females, with this disparity projected to widen by up to 16.0% in 2050. In 2022, the MIR for all cancers was 46.6%, with higher MIRs observed for pancreatic cancer (89.4%), among males (51.7%), among those aged 75 years or older (64.3%), in low-HDI countries (69.9%), and in the African region (67.2%). Conclusions and Relevance In this cross-sectional study based on data from 2022, cancer disparities were evident across HDI, geographic regions, age, and sex, with further widening projected by 2050. These findings suggest that strengthening access to and quality of health care, including universal health insurance coverage, is key to providing evidence-based cancer prevention, diagnostics, and care.

Background Having a sufficient and well-functioning health workforce is crucial for reducing the burden of disease and premature death. Health workforce development, focusing on availability, recruitment, retention, and education, is inseparable from acceptability, motivation, burnout, role and responsibility, and performance. Each aspect of workforce development may face several challenges, requiring specific strategies. However, there was little evidence on barriers and strategies towards comprehensive health workforce development. Therefore, this review explored barriers and strategies for health workforce development at the primary health care level around the world. Methods A scoping review of reviews was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews. The article search was performed in Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE. We used EndNote x9 for managing the collected articles, screening processes, and citation purpose. The scoping review included any kind of review articles on the application of health workforce development concepts, such as availability, recruitment, retention, role and responsibility, education and training, motivation, and burnout, with primary health care and published in English anywhere in the world. Based on the concepts above, barriers and strategies for health workforce development were identified. The findings were synthesized qualitatively based on the building blocks of the health system framework. The analysis involved specific activities such as familiarization, construction of the thematic framework, indexing, charting, and interpretation. The results were presented in texts, tables, and figures. Results The search strategies yielded 7,276 papers were found. Of which, 69 were included in the scoping review. The most frequently cited barriers were financial challenges and issues related to health care delivery, such as workloads. Barriers affecting healthcare providers directly, including lack of training and ineffective teamwork, were also prominent. Other health system and governance barriers include lack of support, unclear responsibility, and inequity. Another notable barrier was the shortage of health care technology, which pertains to both health care supplies and information technology. The most common cited effective strategies were ongoing support and supervision, engaging with communities, establishing appropriate primary care settings, financial incentives, fostering teamwork, and promoting autonomous health care practice. Conclusions Effective leadership/governance, a robust health financing system, integration of health information and technology, such as mobile health and ensuring a consistent supply of adequate resources are also vital components of primary health care workforce development. The findings highlight the importance of continuous professional development, which includes training new cadres, implementing effective recruitment and retention mechanisms, optimising the skill mix, and promoting workplace wellness. These elements are essential in fostering a well-trained and resilient primary health care workforce.

This systematic analysis assesses the total and risk-attributable burden of lip and oral cavity cancer and other pharyngeal cancer for 204 countries and territories and by Socio-demographic Index using 2019 Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study estimates.