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Novartis Foundation

NonprofitBasel, Switzerland
About: Novartis Foundation is a nonprofit organization based out in Basel, Switzerland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Leprosy & Population. The organization has 99 authors who have published 85 publications receiving 3993 citations.


Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: CRF and objectively assessed PA are closely linked with children’s clustered cardiovascular risk, and efforts should be made to ensure that promoting a physically active lifestyle is recognised as an important educational goal in primary schools.
Abstract: Background/Aim Physical inactivity (PIA) is a growing global health problem and evidence suggests that PIA is a key driver for cardiovascular and chronic diseases. Recent data from South Africa revealed that only about half of the children achieved recommended daily physical activity (PA) levels. Assessing the intensity of PA in children from low socioeconomic communities in low-income and middle-income countries is important to estimate the extent of cardiovascular risk and overall impact on health. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey in eight quintile 3 primary schools in disadvantaged communities in the Port Elizabeth region, South Africa. Children aged 10–15 years were subjected to PA, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and skinfold thickness assessments. Cardiovascular risk markers were converted into standardised z-scores and summed, to obtain a clustered cardiovascular risk score. Results Overall, 650 children had complete data records. 40.8% of the children did not meet recommended PA levels (ie, logged Conclusions CRF and objectively assessed PA are closely linked with children’s clustered cardiovascular risk. Given that 4 out of 10 South African schoolchildren from marginalised communities do not meet international PA recommendations, efforts should be made to ensure that promoting a physically active lifestyle is recognised as an important educational goal in primary schools. Trial registration numbers ISRCTN68411960 and H14-HEA-HMS-002.

9 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the feasibility and impact of contact tracing and the provision of single dose rifampicin (SDR) to eligible contacts of newly diagnosed leprosy patients in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Tanzania were investigated.
Abstract: Background The Leprosy Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (LPEP) program explored the feasibility and impact of contact tracing and the provision of single dose rifampicin (SDR) to eligible contacts of newly diagnosed leprosy patients in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. As the impact of the programme is difficult to establish in the short term, we apply mathematical modelling to predict its long-term impact on the leprosy incidence. Methodology The individual-based model SIMCOLEP was calibrated and validated to the historic leprosy incidence data in the study areas. For each area, we assessed two scenarios: 1) continuation of existing routine activities as in 2014; and 2) routine activities combined with LPEP starting in 2015. The number of contacts per index patient screened varied from 1 to 36 between areas. Projections were made until 2040. Principal findings In all areas, the LPEP program increased the number of detected cases in the first year(s) of the programme as compared to the routine programme, followed by a faster reduction afterwards with increasing benefit over time. LPEP could accelerate the reduction of the leprosy incidence by up to six years as compared to the routine programme. The impact of LPEP varied by area due to differences in the number of contacts per index patient included and differences in leprosy epidemiology and routine control programme. Conclusions The LPEP program contributes significantly to the reduction of the leprosy incidence and could potentially accelerate the interruption of transmission. It would be advisable to include contact tracing/screening and SDR in routine leprosy programmes.

8 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Focusing the quality assessment on processes and structural adequacy of healthcare was an appropriate approach for the assessment’s intended purpose, and a unique key feature of the electronic assessment tool.
Abstract: Progress in health service quality is vital to reach the target of Universal Health Coverage. However, in order to improve quality, it must be measured, and the assessment results must be actionable. We analyzed an electronic tool, which was developed to assess and monitor the quality of primary healthcare in Tanzania in the context of routine supportive supervision. The electronic assessment tool focused on areas in which improvements are most effective in order to suit its purpose of routinely steering improvement measures at local level. Due to the lack of standards regarding how to best measure quality of care, we used a range of different quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate the appropriateness of the quality assessment tool. The quantitative methods included descriptive statistics, linear regression models, and factor analysis; the qualitative methods in-depth interviews and observations. Quantitative and qualitative results were overlapping and consistent. Robustness checks confirmed the tool’s ability to assign scores to health facilities and revealed the usefulness of grouping indicators into different quality dimensions. Focusing the quality assessment on processes and structural adequacy of healthcare was an appropriate approach for the assessment’s intended purpose, and a unique key feature of the electronic assessment tool. The findings underpinned the accuracy of the assessment tool to measure and monitor quality of primary healthcare for the purpose of routinely steering improvement measures at local level. This was true for different level and owner categories of primary healthcare facilities in Tanzania. The electronic assessment tool demonstrated a feasible option for routine quality measures of primary healthcare in Tanzania. The findings, combined with the more operational results of companion papers, created a solid foundation for an approach that could lastingly improve services for patients attending primary healthcare. However, the results also revealed that the use of the electronic assessment tool outside its intended purpose, for example for performance-based payment schemes, accreditation and other systematic evaluations of healthcare quality, should be considered carefully because of the risk of bias, adverse effects and corruption.

8 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: As informacoes previas sobre a estrategia PEP contribuiram para o fortalecimento da confianca nos profissionais de saude e foram identificadas 3 categorias quanto a PEP: compreensao, aceitacao e expectativa da intervencao.
Abstract: Resumo: O objetivo deste artigo foi analisar a aceitabilidade da quimioprofilaxia com rifampicina em dose unica (PEP) entre os contatos, casos indices de hanseniase e profissionais da saude e fatores relacionados que possam influenciar na adesao. Realizou-se um estudo qualitativo de analise de conteudo apos aplicacao de entrevistas semiestruturadas segundo protocolo proposto no programa LPEP (2016), realizado em Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, Brasil, em julho de 2016. Participaram do estudo individuos notificados com hanseniase, contatos e profissionais da saude. Utilizou-se o software QRS NVivo versao 10. Foram contatados 80 individuos, sendo 54 (67%) contatos, 11 (14%) casos indices e 15 (19%) profissionais de saude. Dentre os contatos, 94% (51/54) tomaram PEP. Foram identificadas 3 categorias quanto a PEP: compreensao, aceitacao e expectativa da intervencao. A compreensao se mostrou relacionada ao cuidado da equipe de saude. Aceitar ou nao a medicacao revelou-se relacionada ao medo, confianca e protecao, operacionalidade da estrategia, autoestima e inseguranca quanto a intervencao. A expectativa da intervencao relacionou-se ao bem-estar, prevencao da doenca e de sequelas, diminuicao de gastos publicos e ampliacao do acesso. Houve reconhecimento da relevância da estrategia PEP pela possibilidade de interrupcao da cadeia de transmissao, diminuicao de casos novos e melhora na qualidade de vida. A inseguranca em tomar a medicacao e de a doenca se manifestar influenciaram negativamente a aceitacao da PEP; por outro lado, as informacoes previas sobre a estrategia PEP contribuiram para o fortalecimento da confianca nos profissionais de saude e para a aceitabilidade da medicacao.

7 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A number of innovative delivery models from a number of different countries, including Kenya, Ghana, Barbados and India are presented and it is argued that these models are applicable not only to hypertension, but provide valuable lessons to address other noncommunicable diseases.
Abstract: London Dialogue event, The Hospital Club, 24 Endell St, London, WC2H 9HQ, London, UK, 1 December 2015 Hypertension is a global health issue causing almost 10 million deaths annually, with a disproportionate number occurring in low- and middle-income countries. The condition can be managed effectively, but there is a need for innovation in healthcare delivery to alleviate its burden. This paper presents a number of innovative delivery models from a number of different countries, including Kenya, Ghana, Barbados and India. These models were presented at the London Dialogue event, which was cohosted by the Novartis Foundation and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Centre for Global Noncommunicable Diseases on 1 December 2015. It is argued that these models are applicable not only to hypertension, but provide valuable lessons to address other noncommunicable diseases.

7 citations


Authors

Showing all 100 results

NameH-indexPapersCitations
Peter G. Schultz15689389716
Elizabeth A. Winzeler6924330083
Andrew I. Su5820220263
Diego H. Castrillon5410815087
Scott B. Ficarro5413411374
Eric C. Peters508211393
Kavita Shah461076741
Scott A. Lesley4622710590
Xu Wu42706929
Tim Wiltshire3911211960
Glen Spraggon371295172
Richard Glynne37706087
Claudio A. P. Joazeiro344810941
Mathew T. Pletcher30534704
Arnab K. Chatterjee28713251
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Performance
Metrics
No. of papers from the Institution in previous years
YearPapers
20222
20218
20209
20197
20186
20174