- Immune responses and vaccinations
- Child Nutrition and Water Access
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- Global Maternal and Child Health
- Virology and Viral Diseases
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Neonatal Respiratory Health Research
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Immunodeficiency and Autoimmune Disorders
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Birth, Development, and Health
- Vitamin C and Antioxidants Research
- Healthcare Systems and Reforms
- Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
- Pregnancy and preeclampsia studies
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- COVID-19 Impact on Reproduction
- Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress
- Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology
- Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Retinoids in leukemia and cellular processes
- Global Health and Epidemiology
- Demographic Trends and Gender Preferences
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
Bandim Health Project
2016-2025
University of Southern Denmark
2016-2025
Odense University Hospital
2016-2024
Statens Serum Institut
2012-2021
Global Vaccines (United States)
2017
Aarhus University
2007-2014
SEAMEO Regional Center for Food and Nutrition
2007
University of Indonesia
2007
Aarhus University Hospital
2007
Herlev Hospital
2007
BCG vaccine may reduce overall mortality by increasing resistance to nontuberculosis infections. In 2 randomized trials in Guinea-Bissau of early BCG-Denmark (Statens Serum Institut) given low-weight (LW) neonates (<2500 g at inclusion) infant rates, we observed a very beneficial effect the neonatal period. We therefore conducted present trial test whether reduces 45%. also meta-analysis 3 trials. 2008–2013, LW "early BCG-Denmark" (intervention group; n = 2083) or "control" (local policy for...
In 2-dose trials, early measles vaccination at 4–6 months in presence of maternal antibody was associated with significantly better survival to age 5 years than absence antibody. Confounding factors did not explain the effect. Background. Measles vaccine (MV) has a greater effect on child when administered infancy, may still be present. Methods. To test whether MV overall if given antibody, we reanalyzed data from 2 previously published randomized trials schedule and 9 age. both levels had...
Background A recent WHO review concluded that live BCG and measles vaccine (MV) may have beneficial non-specific effects (NSEs) reducing mortality from non-targeted diseases. NSEs of oral polio (OPV) were not examined. If OPV vaccination campaigns reduce the rate it would suggest NSEs. Setting Between 2002 2014 Guinea-Bissau had 15 general other with plus vitamin supplementation (VAS), VAS-only, MV H1N1 vaccine. In this period, we conducted seven randomised controlled trials (RCTs) as main...
Facemasks have been employed to mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The community effect providing cloth facemasks on COVID-19 morbidity and mortality is unknown. In a cluster randomised trial in urban Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, clusters (geographical areas with an average 19 houses), were intervention or control arm using computer-generated random numbers. Between 20 July 2020 22 January 2021, participants (aged 10+ years) living (n = 90) received two 2-layer facemasks, while only distributed...
To investigate the effect of high dose vitamin A supplementation given with BCG vaccine at birth in an African setting infant mortality.Randomised placebo controlled trial. Setting Bandim Health Project's demographic surveillance system Guinea-Bissau, covering approximately 90,000 inhabitants. Participants 4345 infants due to receive BCG.Infants were randomised 50,000 IU or and followed until age 12 months.Mortality rate ratios.174 children died during follow-up (mortality=47/1000...
<b>Objective</b> To investigate the effect of vitamin A supplementation and BCG vaccination at birth in low birthweight neonates. <b>Design</b> Randomised, placebo controlled, two by factorial trial. <b>Setting</b> Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. <b>Participants</b> 1717 neonates born national hospital. <b>Intervention</b> Neonates who weighed less than 2.5 kg were randomly assigned to 25 000 IU or placebo, as well early vaccine usual late vaccine, followed until age 12 months. <b>Main outcome...
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of widely used persistent chemicals with suspected immunotoxic effects.The present study aimed to examine the association between infant PFAS exposure and antibody responses measles vaccination as well morbidity in low-income country.In randomized controlled trial, children from Guinea-Bissau, West Africa, were followed inclusion (4-7 months age) through 2 years age. Half received two vaccinations (at at 9 age), other half only one age). In subset...
Background BCG and measles vaccine (MV) may have beneficial non-specific effects (NSEs). If an unplanned intervention with a (a natural experiment) modifies the estimated effect in randomised controlled trial (RCT), this suggests NSEs. We used approach to test NSEs of triple oral polio (OPV). Methods During RCT 2 doses MV at 4.5 9 months versus 1 dose age, we experienced experiments OPV. assessed whether these OPV modified 2-dose trial. Setting conducted urban Guinea-Bissau 2003–2009....
Objective To assess the effect of providing BCG and oral polio vaccine (OPV) at an early home visit after delivery. Design Cluster-randomised trial, randomising 92 geographically defined clusters 1:1 to intervention/control arms. Setting Bandim Health Project Demographic Surveillance System, Guinea-Bissau. Participants 2226 newborns enrolled between July 2016 August 2019. Interventions In both arms, received a within 72 hours birth. intervention (n=46), OPV were provided visit. Main outcome...
Background. Previous studies have found that BCG vaccination has nonspecific beneficial effects on child survival, especially among children who developed a scar. These mostly been done in settings with high scar frequency. In rural Guinea-Bissau, many do not develop scar; we tested the hypothesis BCG-vaccinated children, was associated lower mortality and fewer hospital admissions.
This study was performed to examine the effects of early BCG vaccination on risk, cause, and severity infant hospitalizations. The analysis included 3 trials randomizing low-weight neonates (intervention) versus no (usual practice in neonates, control), with hospitalizations as secondary outcome. Hospitalization data were collected at pediatric ward National Hospital. Effects hospitalization risk assessed Cox models providing overall major disease-group incidence rate ratios (IRRs). Severity...
Children in Guinea-Bissau receive measles vaccine (MV) at 9 months of age, but studies have shown that an additional dose before age might beneficial nonspecific effects. Within a randomized trial designed to examine effects early MV receipt on mortality, we conducted substudy investigate the effect morbidity.Children were randomly assigned ratio 2:1 2 doses 18 weeks and (intervention group) or 1 months, accordance with current practice (control group). visited weekly from enrollment months;...
An estimated 5·1 million stillbirths and neonatal deaths occur annually. Household surveys, most notably the Demographic Health Survey (DHS), run in more than 90 countries are main data source from highest burden regions, but data-quality concerns remain. We aimed to compare two questionnaires: a full birth history module with additional questions on pregnancy losses (FBH+; current DHS standard) (FPH), which collects information all livebirths, stillbirths, miscarriages, deaths.Women...
Abstract Background Between 2002 and 2014, Guinea-Bissau had 17 national campaigns with oral polio vaccine (OPV) as well vitamin A supplementation (VAS), measles (MV), H1N1 influenza vaccine. We examined the impact of these on child survival. Methods mortality rate between 1 day 3 years age all children in study area. used Cox models underlying time to calculate adjusted ratios (MRRs) “after-campaign” “before-campaign” mortality, for temporal change stratified season at risk. Results...
Measles vaccine (MV) may improve health beyond measles protection. To avoid wastage from multi-dose vials, children in Guinea-Bissau are only vaccinated when aged 9-11 months and six or more present. We assessed impacts of providing MV to all measles-unvaccinated 9-35 months.
Abstract Background Measles vaccination coverage in Guinea-Bissau is low; fewer than 80% of children are currently measles vaccinated before 12 months age. The low hampers control measles. Furthermore, accumulating evidence indicates that vaccine has beneficial non-specific effects, strengthening the resistance towards other infections. Thus, even if not exposed to virus, measles-unvaccinated may be worse off. To increase coverage, WHO recommends contacts with health system for mild illness...
Abstract Background In countries with limited civil registration and vital statistics systems, assessing the impact of health crises requires precise retrospective mortality data. We tested whether calendar methods improve survey or census data on dates recent household deaths registered in a Health Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS). Methods Between April June 2023, we randomized 578 households HDSS-registered Guinea-Bissau to interviews by using (i) standard questionnaire close-ended...