Abeokuta

Researchers are evaluating how well Nigeria's National Sodium Reduction Program, led by the Nigerian Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), is being implemented. This program uses the WHO's SHAKE package, which includes strategies like monitoring salt intake, working with industry, adopting labeling standards, educating consumers, and promoting healthy eating environments. The aim is to reduce sodium intake across the population to help prevent and control high blood pressure. The study involves repeated assessments at three time points: baseline (Wave 1), 18 months later (Wave 2), and 36 months later (Wave 3). It uses a type III hybrid, mixed method design, including stakeholder interviews, population surveys, and retail food surveys. The retail surveys capture data on packaged and unpackaged foods as well as informal restaurants using the FoodSwitch program. Researchers apply implementation science frameworks to guide and evaluate the program's reach, effectiveness, adoption, and sustainability. Participants will be assessed through surveys and interviews over the study period. Researchers will measure changes in average population sodium intake, including 24-hour urinary sodium, from baseline to follow-up waves. They will also study dietary sources of sodium at baseline and at 36 months. The study includes monitoring the acceptability, feasibility, and fidelity of the program, along with contextual factors influencing success. Participation is expected to last over three years, with multiple waves of data collection and ongoing evaluation.

Researchers are establishing the International Registry to Improve Outcomes in Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer (IRONMAN), a study enrolling at least 5,000 men with advanced prostate cancer, including metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (M0/M1 CRPC). This international cohort will collect data from patients across various countries including Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, and others to better understand differences in care and treatment across academic and community settings worldwide. Participants will receive standard care treatments for metastatic prostate cancer as determined by local practices. The study will collect detailed data at enrollment and during follow-up for a minimum of five years. Blood samples and, when feasible, tumor tissue will be collected at enrollment, at treatment changes, and at one-year follow-up to help identify molecular markers related to treatment response and resistance. During participation, patients will complete patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) at enrollment and every three months. Physicians will provide questionnaires at enrollment, treatment changes, one-year follow-up, and treatment discontinuation. Researchers will track overall survival, adverse events, comorbidities, treatment changes, and patient quality of life to identify optimal treatment sequences and outcomes for men with advanced prostate cancer.