Lorin

Researchers are evaluating the impact and effectiveness of demand-side incentives (DSIs) in improving immunization coverage and reducing the number of zero-dose children aged 0 to 23 months in selected regions of Nigeria. This study addresses challenges such as low vaccination rates, disparities in coverage due to geography and conflict, and barriers faced by urban poor and rural populations. The trial aims to understand how DSIs influence immunization uptake, timeliness of vaccination, and caregiver knowledge by December 2025. The study uses a cluster randomized controlled trial design involving 480 clusters divided into four groups, including three intervention arms and one control arm. Interventions include transportation vouchers for caregivers, direct funding to immunization health facilities, community engagement, and technical support for microplanning at routine immunization sites. These interventions will be implemented in selected wards within Oyo and Kwara states, focusing on underserved and hard-to-reach communities. Participants include caregivers of children aged 0 to 23 months living in selected clusters. The study will monitor stakeholder engagement, vaccination session coverage, and household enrollment receiving DSIs over periods ranging from three to six months. Researchers will assess vaccination coverage, reduction of zero-dose children, timeliness of vaccinations, and changes in caregiver perceptions. The study runs from August 2024 to December 2025, with ongoing data collection and analysis to measure the impact of the interventions.

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.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of pre-operative chlorhexidine mouthwash and perioperative oxygen levels on the rates of pneumonia and surgical site infections in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. This Phase 3, multi-center, randomized controlled trial is conducted across hospitals in low and middle-income countries, focusing on adults and children aged 10 years or older having elective or emergency midline laparotomy. The study aims to reduce serious postoperative complications that significantly contribute to mortality and healthcare burden, especially in these resource-limited settings. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups combining the use or non-use of chlorhexidine mouthwash before surgery and different oxygen concentrations during surgery: (a) mouthwash with high oxygen (80-100% FiO2), (b) no mouthwash with high oxygen, (c) mouthwash with low oxygen (21-30% FiO2), or (d) no mouthwash with low oxygen. The trial includes a 6-month internal pilot phase to assess recruitment and compliance, followed by a main phase enrolling approximately 12,924 participants. During the study, researchers will monitor participants for pneumonia and surgical site infections within 30 days after surgery using CDC definitions. Data on treatment adherence and participant outcomes will be collected and assessed by blinded outcome assessors. The study will track complications and follow patients through their recovery to evaluate how these interventions might reduce postoperative infections and improve surgical outcomes.

Researchers are evaluating whether giving surfactant using a less invasive technique can help treat respiratory distress in preterm infants born in low- and middle-income African countries where invasive ventilators are not available. This trial focuses on infants born weighing between 750 and 2000 grams or with a gestational age of 24 to 35 weeks who have respiratory distress and are breathing on their own while receiving continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The study aims to see if this less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) improves survival and to monitor any medical problems that occur during treatment. In this study, preterm infants with respiratory distress will receive surfactant therapy through a thin catheter inserted into their windpipe during laryngoscopy while continuing CPAP support. This method is compared to the standard care of CPAP and caffeine citrate without surfactant. The surfactant is given shortly after birth, ideally within 24 hours, and participants are closely monitored for any complications or side effects related to the treatment. Participants will be followed throughout their hospital stay, which is on average about six months, to determine survival rates and safety outcomes. Researchers will assess the infants' response to surfactant therapy, monitor for respiratory and other medical complications, and track overall hospital survival. The study collects detailed data on the infants' health status and treatment progress to understand how well the less invasive method works in these settings.

This research aims to train radiologists in Nigeria to perform ultrasound-guided breast biopsies for breast cancer diagnosis. The study focuses on introducing a practical and sustainable training method using mobile health (mHealth) devices to improve diagnostic practices in Nigerian hospitals, where blind biopsy or surgical excision is currently the norm. Women participating in the study will receive ultrasound-guided breast biopsies performed by trained radiologists. This method is considered the standard of care in the United States due to its higher accuracy compared to blind biopsies and equivalence to surgical excision. The study evaluates the use of mHealth technology to facilitate this training and clinical implementation. Participants will be monitored for the number of successful ultrasound-guided breast biopsies within one year. The study collects data on the effectiveness of the training and biopsy procedures, aiming to enhance breast cancer diagnosis at the point of care. Women must consent to participate and meet eligibility criteria, with all procedures and outcomes tracked during the study period.