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Purpose This study aims to find out if organizations are still practicing a hybrid workplace arrangement after COVID-19 ease of restrictions, determine the positive and negative sides of a hybrid workplace, ascertain the challenges organizations are currently facing in implementing a hybrid workplace and examine how successful team learning has been in hybrid workplaces. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a mixed approach. Two sets of data (quantitative and qualitative) were used to answer the research questions. Findings This study found that most organizations within professional service firms are still implementing hybrid workplaces even though COVID-19 restrictions have been eased. This study also found that one of the advantages of implementing a hybrid work arrangement includes employees’ opportunity to spend more time with their families. On the other hand, the disadvantages discovered were gradual loss of corporate identity, a feeling of loneliness and others. One of the challenges organizations are facing in implementing this working system is the lack of an ergonomic workplace and appropriate technology for remote working. With evidence, this study ends with finding out that companies are not successful as expected in terms of team learning in a hybrid workplace. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is among the first to look at hybrid workplace in the African setting where COVID restrictions which highlights the practice has not really been an issue. This study also combines its findings with those done on the subject before to firmly clarify attributes as they exist.

Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are leading drivers of mortality worldwide, underscoring the need for improved efforts around early detection and prediction. The pathophysiology and management of chronic diseases have benefitted from emerging fields in molecular biology like genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, glycomics, and lipidomics. The complex biomarker and mechanistic data from these “omics” studies present analytical and interpretive challenges, especially for traditional statistical methods. Machine learning (ML) techniques offer considerable promise in unlocking new pathways for data‐driven chronic disease risk assessment and prognosis. This review provides a comprehensive overview of state‐of‐the‐art applications of ML algorithms for chronic disease detection and prediction across datasets, including medical imaging, genomics, wearables, and electronic health records. Specifically, we review and synthesize key studies leveraging major ML approaches ranging from traditional techniques such as logistic regression and random forests to modern deep learning neural network architectures. We consolidate existing literature to date around ML for chronic disease prediction to synthesize major trends and trajectories that may inform both future research and clinical translation efforts in this growing field. While highlighting the critical innovations and successes emerging in this space, we identify the key challenges and limitations that remain to be addressed. Finally, we discuss pathways forward toward scalable, equitable, and clinically implementable ML solutions for transforming chronic disease screening and prevention. Laboratory methods and application of machine learning for disease prediction and diagnosis. Diagnosis of diseases begins with screening a population, sample collection, processing, and quantitation with molecular/analytical methods (e.g., polymerase chain reaction [PCR], liquid chromatography mass spectrophotometry [LC‐MS], high‐performance liquid chromatography [HPLC], sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [SDS‐PAGE]), and immunofluorescent macroscopy among others. Machine learning algorithms can discover patterns in the data generated from analytical methods and make predictions. Highlights Machine learning (ML) shows promise for early detection and prediction of chronic diseases. Complex “omics” data from genomics, proteomics, and other fields inform ML models. The review covers key ML approaches applied to diverse datasets for chronic diseases. Innovations and successes are highlighted, along with challenges and limitations. Pathways toward scalable, equitable, and clinically implementable ML solutions are discussed.

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear the brunt of communicable and non-communicable diseases and experience higher mortality and poor health outcomes compared to resource-rich countries. Chronic resource deficits in LMICs impede their ability to successfully address vexing health issues. Implementation science provides researchers with an approach to develop specific interventions that can generate and/or maximize resources to facilitate the implementation of other public health interventions, in resource-constrained LMIC settings. Resources generated from these interventions could be in the form of increased health workers’ skills, task shifting to free up higher-skilled health workers, increasing laboratory capacity, and using supply chain innovations to make medications available. Pivotal to the success of such interventions is ensuring feasibility in the LMIC context. We selected and appraised three case studies of evidence-based resource-generating health interventions based in LMICs (Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar), which generated or maximized resources to facilitate ongoing health services. We used a determinant implementation framework—Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to identify and map contextual factors that are reported to influence implementation feasibility in an LMIC setting. Contextual factors influencing the feasibility of these interventions included leadership engagement, local capacity building and readiness for research and implementing evidence-based practices (EBPs), infrastructural support for multilevel scale-up, and cultural and contextual adaptations. These factors highlight the importance of utilizing implementation science frameworks to evaluate, guide, and execute feasible public health interventions and projects in resource-limited settings. Within LMICs, we recommend EBPs incorporate feasible resource-generating components in health interventions to ensure improved and sustained optimal health outcomes.

The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review analysis to identify and evaluate the available literature on implementation science outcomes research in relation to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in Pakistan. A systematic database search of PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Ovid was conducted through October 22nd, 2022, without any restrictions on publication dates. A screening and data extraction tool, Covidence, was used to evaluate the literature against our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Furthermore, a Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to evaluate the selected studies. We identified four studies that presented findings of implementation outcomes research which were related to appropriateness, feasibility, and acceptability. Appropriateness was examined using knowledge scores (p = 0.022) and medication adherence scores (p < 0.05) that showed statistical significance between the control and intervention groups. Acceptability was assessed through a cross sectional quantitative descriptive study that evaluated the reasons for refusal and acceptance of treatment in a cohort of patients suffering from ESRD. Feasibility was examined in one cross sectional, and one mixed methods study that aimed to evaluate and understand the impact of initiating dialysis treatment and the feasibility of maintaining it in low-income families that care for children or adults with ESRD. The preliminary results of this review indicate a gap in the availability of implementation research studies about ESRD in Pakistan. The burden of ESRD, and the implementation methods by which it is treated is notable in Pakistan and requires evidence-based measures to be implemented to support the critical healthcare delivery platforms that provide treatment.

The syndemic framework provides a critical lens for understanding the complex interplay between HIV/AIDS, mental health (MH) conditions, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Africa. This scoping review explores how these conditions converge to form a syndemic that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations - particularly people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH). Contextual factors such as stigma, lower socioeconomic resulting in poverty, gender, resource limitations, and fragmented healthcare systems exacerbate these interrelated conditions, posing significant challenges to individuals and their health. A scoping review was conducted to examine the syndemic interactions between HIV/AIDS, MH, and NCDs across Africa. Utilizing the PRISMA-ScR framework and a predefined inclusion criterion, literature searches were conducted in the following databases: PubMed/Medline (OVID), Web of Science (all databases), Web of Science (core collection), Global Health, Cumulative Index of Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), MEDLINE OVID, Psychinfo (OVID), Psychinfo (proquest); and Psychinfo (psychnet) in March 2024. Articles were screened independently by two peer reviewers and conflicts were resolved by a third reviewer. Data were extracted to summarize study characteristics, prevalence rates, and the contextual factors that underpin syndemic interactions among HIV/AIDS, MH and NCDs. An initial search retrieved 5937 articles, with 2913 articles remaining after removal of duplicates. Title and abstract screening further excluded 2706 articles. In total, 207 full-text articles were assessed, of which 17 publications were extracted and included in the review. The scoping review identified a significant prevalence of multi-morbidities amongst PLWH, particularly within hypertension, diabetes, and depression. Women and older adults were disproportionately affected, with gender and age disparities shaping health outcomes. Contextual factors such as stigma, socioeconomic barriers, and fragmented healthcare systems were consistently reported as key contributors to worsening such multi-morbidities. In many publications, NCDs and MH conditions were undiagnosed or poorly managed, complicating HIV treatment and reducing the quality of life. Individual and structural resource limitations, along with poor healthcare integration, further hindered effective care. This scoping review underscores the urgent need for integrated healthcare models to address the syndemic of HIV/AIDS, NCDs, and MH in Africa. Interventions should prioritize stigma reduction, capacity building, and comprehensive care to address the underlying socioeconomic determinants of health among PLWH. Strengthening healthcare systems and promoting holistic, patient-centered care is essential for reducing disparities, improving health outcomes, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Future research should expand geographic and demographic coverage to capture the full scope of these syndemic relationships in diverse African contexts.

Non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention efforts have traditionally targeted high-risk and high-burden populations. We propose an alteration in prevention efforts to also include emphasis and focus on low-risk populations, predominantly younger individuals and low-prevalence populations. We refer to this approach as “proactive prevention.” This emphasis is based on the priority to put in place policies, programs, and infrastructure that can disrupt the epidemiological transition to develop NCDs among these groups, thereby averting future NCD crises. Proactive prevention strategies can be classified, and their implementation prioritized, based on a 2-dimensional assessment: impact and feasibility. Thus, potential interventions can be categorized into a 2-by-2 matrix: high impact/high feasibility, high impact/low feasibility, low impact/high feasibility, and low impact/low feasibility. We propose that high impact/high feasibility interventions are ready to be implemented ( a ct), while high impact/low feasibility interventions require efforts to foster b uy-in first. Low impact/high feasibility interventions need to be c hanged to improve their impact while low impact/low feasibility might be best re- d esigned in the context of limited resources. Using this framework, policy makers, public health experts, and other stakeholders can more effectively prioritize and leverage limited resources in an effort to slow or prevent the evolving global NCD crisis.

Downward accountability, defined as being answerable to beneficiaries for actions and giving affected populations influence in aid processes, remains unstandardized and underinvested across the humanitarian sector. Currently, numerous accountability mechanisms are being utilized by humanitarian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, the different mechanisms have varying degrees of effectiveness in providing true accountability to affected populations due to significant barriers or strengths in implementation. To conduct a qualitative systematic review investigating the various downward accountability mechanisms employed by non-governmental organizations in LMICs, and to assess the effectiveness of these mechanisms in delivering downward accountability for populations in low-resource settings. We searched 10 databases, including PubMed, Medline, Embase, Ovid, Web of Science, Global Health, EBSCO SocINDEX, ABI/INFORM, ALNAP, and Sociological Abstracts from 2008-2023. Grey literature was searched on Google Scholar. To capture any additional articles, the search was updated in November 2024. Our search produced 1521 articles. After applying our exclusion criteria and screening, 38 articles comprised our final dataset. Each article reported on the effectiveness of five downward accountability mechanisms, including participation, ownership, transparency, program auditing, and social auditing. Associated barriers to accountability included implementation, power asymmetry, and fragmentation within the humanitarian sector. There are significant gaps in research on the effectiveness of downward accountability mechanisms amongst humanitarian NGOs in LMICs. This research deficit adversely affects the sustainability of local development initiatives and, on a broader scale, undermines overall organizational effectiveness. Implementing balanced accountability mechanisms that promote equality in power dynamics is pivotal to achieving meaningful outcomes for affected populations.

Hydroxyurea (HU) is an evidence-based therapy that is currently the most effective drug for sickle cell disease (SCD). HU is widely used in high-income countries with consequent reduction of morbidity and mortality. In Nigeria, HU is prescribed by physicians while nurses are mainly involved in counseling the patients to ensure adherence. The extent of utilization and the determinant factors have not been sufficiently evaluated in Nigeria. To assess the frequency of use of HU and factors affecting utilization among healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers for SCD. A questionnaire was administered online and in- person to assess the frequency of HU use and the factors that promote and limit its use. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics using IBM SPSS software version 23 and the result was presented in frequency tables and percentages. A total of 137 physicians, 137 nurses, and 237 patients/caregivers responded to the survey. The rate of prescription of HU by doctors in the past 6 months was 64 (46.7%), 43 (31.4%) nurses provided counseling and 36 (15.6%) patients were on HU. Among doctors, adequate knowledge (91.3%), clinical benefits and safety (94.8%), and inclusion of HU in management guidelines (86.9%) were motivators for prescribing it while inadequate knowledge (60.9%) and unawareness of treatment guidelines (68.6%) constituted barriers. Among nurses, reduction of crisis (91.6%) and safety (64.8%) were the major motivators while barriers were high cost (79.1%) and intensive monitoring (63.1%) of HU treatment. Among the patients, the major motivator was the reduction of crises (80.3%) while poor knowledge (93.2%), high cost of the drug (92.2%) while monitoring (91.2%), non-availability (87.7%) and side effects (83.9%) were the major barriers for the utilization of HU. HU prescription and utilization are still poor among healthcare providers and patients. Inadequate knowledge, non-availability and high cost of HU as well as unawareness of treatment guidelines constitute major barriers to prescription and utilization.

Despite ~90% of sickle cell disease (SCD) occurring in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), the vast majority of people are not receiving evidence-based interventions (EBIs) to reduce SCD-related adverse outcomes and mortality, and data on implementation research outcomes (IROs) and SCD is limited. This study aims to synthesize available data on EBIs for SCD and assess IROs. We conducted a systematic review of RCTs reporting on EBIs for SCD management implemented in LMICs. We identified articles from PubMed/Medline, Global Health, PubMed Central, Embase, Web of Science medical subject heading (MeSH and Emtree) and keywords, published from inception through February 23, 2020, and conducted an updated search through December 24, 2020. We provide intervention characteristics for each study, EBI impact on SCD, and evidence of reporting on IROs. 29 RCTs were analyzed. EBIs identified included disease modifying agents, supportive care agents/analgesics, anti-malarials, systemic treatments, patient/ provider education, and nutritional supplements. Studies using disease modifying agents, nutritional supplements, and anti-malarials reported improvements in pain crisis, hospitalization, children's growth and reduction in severity and prevalence of malaria. Two studies reported on the sustainability of supplementary arginine, citrulline, and daily chloroquine and hydroxyurea for SCD patients. Only 13 studies (44.8%) provided descriptions that captured at least three of the eight IROs. There was limited reporting of acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, cost and sustainability. EBIs are effective for SCD management in LMICs; however, measurement of IROs is scarce. Future research should focus on penetration of EBIs to inform evidence-based practice and sustainability in the context of LMICs. This review is registered in PROSPERO #CRD42020167289.

Despite the proven efficacy of evidence-based healthcare interventions in reducing adverse outcomes and mortality associated with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), a vast majority of affected individuals in Africa remain deprived of such care. Hydroxyurea (HU) utilization among SCD patients in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) stands at less than 1%, while in Nigeria, approximately 13% of patients benefit from HU therapy. To enhance HU utilization, targeted implementation strategies addressing provider-level barriers are imperative. Existing evidence underscores the significance of addressing barriers such as inadequate healthcare worker training to improve HU adoption. The ACCELERATE study aims to evaluate the adoption of HU among providers through the Screen, Initiate, and Maintain (SIM) intervention, facilitated by healthcare worker training, clinical reminders, and task-sharing strategies, thereby enhancing patient-level SCD management in Nigeria. This study will implement the SIM intervention, encompassing patient screening, initiation of HU treatment, and maintenance of dosage, which will be implemented via the TAsk-Strengthening Strategy for Hemoglobinopathies (TASSH TCP), derived from our team's TAsk-Strengthening Strategy for Hypertension control (TASSH) trials. Employing a sequential exploratory mixed-methods approach within the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment (EPIS) framework, this study will assess SIM adoption by providers in Nigeria. The primary outcome is the rate of SIM adoption at clinical sites at 12 months, with secondary outcomes including sustainability/maintenance of SIM intervention and implementation fidelity. This study's findings will offer crucial insights into effective SCD management strategies, leveraging existing SCD clinical networks and resources in Nigeria to enhance HU adoption among providers in a scalable and sustainable manner. Additionally, the study will inform best practices for implementing HU therapy in resource-constrained settings, benefiting healthcare providers, policymakers, and stakeholders invested in improving SCD care delivery. NCT06318143.