Matthew Chico, MPH, PhD

Point-of-care tests for curable STIs are key to a quick diagnosis and rapid treatment in pregnancy, particularly in low-resource settings. Here are results of an antigen-based assay for trichomoniasis we evaluated among pregnant women in rural Zambia.

Hot off the press: bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/2/2/e0… In East Africa, 14.6% had malaria in pregnancy but 45.9% had at least one curable STI/RTI. Holistic interventions are needed now! Don't protect #pregnantwomen from #clinicaltrials. Protect pregnant women through clinical trials.

New research from Zambia and Papua New Guinea captures a unique tapestry of experience from 19 frontline workers who struggle to mitigate the burden of STIs in pregnancy. Help raise the profile of their vital work! doi.org/10.1371/journa…

@MARCH_LSHTM @ugent The highest regional prevalence of bacterial vaginosis among pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries was 25.1% in sub-Saharan Africa, nearly two-times higher than the overall prevalence. Read more here: dx.doi.org/10.1002/rfc2.99

@MARCH_LSHTM @ugent meta-analysis of reports 15.1% pregnancies had bacterial vaginosis in LMICs. Studies with HIV=/+10%, bacterial vaginosis prevalence was 33.4%. @WHO recommends screening of symptomatic cases. Screening should include HIV-infected. doi.org/10.1002/rfc2.99

For the latest in Malaria in Pregnancy research, Kigali, Rwanda, is the place to be next week for the 8th Pan-African Malaria Conference in Kigali, Rwanda #MIM, #LSHTM, #LSTM, #Malaria, #RBM, #CDC, #WomensHealth lshtm.ac.uk/research/centr…

How do we overcome the inertia around support for reduce the burden of sexually transmitted infections? We must go beyond the conventional health angle to frame issues in terms of safety, lifestyle and social improvements as discussed in this video. youtube.com/watch?v=8o6c4o…

What do recent trials from East and Southern Africa tell us about STIs in pregnancy? Thursday, 30th November 2023 | live seminar and webinar Register: unibe-ch.zoom.us/meeting/regist…

Now, a world first trial in Papua New Guinea has produced some challenging findings about screening interventions in pregnancy. Meanwhile, frontline staff in Papua New Guinea and Zambia find inadequate resources paid to established program like antenatal screening for syphilis.

Should we prioritize screening and treatment for multiple sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during pregnancy to prevent poor birth outcomes? For some, the answer may seem obvious. For others, there still has not been enough research.

Expect the unexpected: new findings about sexually transmitted infections in pregnancy from Papua New Guinea and East Africa Thursday, 30th November 2023 | live seminar and webinar Register to join via Zoom: lnkd.in/e2EyAhZr

One half of the world's pregnancies at risk of malaria infection are in the Asia-Pacific region. The Lancet Global Health just published a summary of progress to date in reducing this burden and challenges ahead for collective action to overcome. sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

First trimester intervention is so difficult, but so needed. ijidonline.com/article/S1201-…

Fetal growth and birth weight are independently reduced by malaria infection and curable sexually transmitted and reproductive tract infections in Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi: A pregnancy cohort study - International Journal of Infectious Diseases ijidonline.com/article/S1201-…

If you ever wondered about the importance of intermittent preventive treatment against malaria during pregnancy, consider new evidence in The Lancet Global Health on submicroscopic malaria. The battle against malaria is not over... until it's over! lnkd.in/ehxX9gjY

The Lancet Small Vulnerable Newborn series of five articles was published this week. I had the privilege of co-authoring paper 3, but encourage reading the complete series, and helping to overcome inequities in our world today! authors.elsevier.com/c/1h2XaV-4XL1eZ.

Important and surprising results from the IMPROVE trial in #kenya, #tanzania, #malawi) published in the #Lancet. What is the way forward? Scale up of IPTp-SP to protect against #malaria in #pregnancy and improve management of #STIs in pregnancy. bit.ly/428blCe