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Background Hypertension (HTN) affects nearly 1 billion people globally and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), HTN represents an unmet health care gap that can be addressed by strengthening national health care systems. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recently funded the T4 Translation Research Capacity Building Initiative in Low Income Countries (TREIN) program to build capacity in dissemination and implementation (D&I) research in HTN in LMICs. The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) at the World Health Organization (WHO) recently developed a massive open online course (MOOC) to train in D&I. Herein, we report on the use of the TDR WHO MOOC in D&I for the TREIN program in Rwanda, assessing feasibility of the MOOC and D&I competencies after MOOC training. Methods Participants in one-group MOOC training completed pre- and post-training questionnaires to assess dissemination and implementation (D&I) competency outcomes and feasibility. D&I competencies were measured by use of a scale developed for a US-based training program, with the change in competency scores assessed by paired t test. Feasibility was measured by completion of homework and final project assignment and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Of the 92 trainees enrolled, 35 (38%) completed all MOOC components. D&I competency scores showed strong evidence of improvements from pre- to post-test. The full-scale average score improved by an average of 1.09 points, representing an effect size of 1.25 (CI 0.48-2.00); all four subscales also showed strong evidence of improvements. Trainees reported challenges to MOOC course completion that included technological issues (i.e., limited internet access) and competing demands (i.e., work, family). Conclusions In the context of LMIC training, the MOOC course was feasible and course completion showed improvement in D&I competency scores. While the program was designed with a focus on training for tropical diseases, there is potential for scalability to a wider audience of health care researchers, workers, administrators, and policymakers in LMIC interested in D&I research in non-communicable diseases.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and in low- and middle-income countries, and hypertension (HTN) is a major risk factor for CVD. Although effective evidence-based interventions for control of HTN in high-income countries exist, implementation of these in low- and middle-income countries has been challenging due to limited capacity and infrastructure for latephase translational research. In Rwanda, the 2015 STEPS NCD (STEPwise Approach to Surveillance of Noncommunicable Diseases) risk survey reported an overall prevalence of HTN of 15% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 13.8 to 16.3) for those ages 15 to 64 years; prevalence increased with increasing age to 39% (95% CI: 35.7 to 43.1) for those ages 55 to 64 years; CVD was the third most common cause of mortality (7%). Suboptimal infrastructure and capacity in Rwanda hinders research and community knowledge for HTN control.Objectives: To address the issue of suboptimal capacity to implement evidence-based interventions in HTN, this project was designed with the following objectives: 1) to develop a regional needs assessment of infrastructure for dissemination and implementation (D & I) strategies for HTN-CVD control; 2) to develop HTNCVD research capacity through creation of countrywide resources such as core research facilities and training in the fields of HTN-CVD, D & I, and biostatistics; and 3) to engage and train multiple stakeholders in D & I and HTN-CVD evidence-based interventions.Methods: A weeklong training program in HTN-CVD, biostatistics, and D & I was conducted in Rwanda in August 2018, and pre- and post-D & I training competency questionnaires were administered.Results: Questionnaire results show a statistically significant increase in D & I knowledge and skills as a result of training (full scale pre- to post-test scores: 2.12 ± 0.78 vs. 3.94 ± 0.42; p < 0.0001).Conclusions: Using principles of community engagement and train-the-trainer methods, we will continue to adapt guidelines and treatments for HTN-CVD developed in high-income countries to the context of Rwanda with the goal of establishing a sustainable platform to address the burden of disease from HTN-CVD.HighlightsImplementation research in LMIC has been challenging due to limited capacity.A training program was developed to support implementation research strategies in Rwanda.Implementation research training resulted in significant increases in knowledge and skills.

Objective Eating disorders (EDs) are serious problems among college-age women and may be preventable. An indicated online eating disorder (ED) intervention, designed to reduce ED and comorbid pathology, was evaluated. Method 206 women (M age = 20 ± 1.8 years; 51% White/Caucasian, 11% African American, 10% Hispanic, 21% Asian/Asian American, 7% other) at very high risk for ED onset (i.e., with high weight/shape concerns plus a history of being teased, current or lifetime depression, and/or nonclinical levels of compensatory behaviors) were randomized to a 10-week, Internet-based, cognitive-behavioral intervention or waitlist control. Assessments included the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE, to assess ED onset), EDE-Questionnaire, Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders, and Beck Depression Inventory-II. Results ED attitudes and behaviors improved more in the intervention than control group (p = .02, d = 0.31); although ED onset rate was 27% lower, this difference was not significant (p = .28, NNT = 15). In the subgroup with highest shape concerns, ED onset rate was significantly lower in the intervention than control group (20% vs. 42%, p = .025, NNT = 5). For the 27 individuals with depression at baseline, depressive symptomatology improved more in the intervention than control group (p = .016, d = 0.96); although ED onset rate was lower in the intervention than control group, this difference was not significant (25% vs. 57%, NNT = 4). Conclusions An inexpensive, easily disseminated intervention might reduce ED onset among those at highest risk. Low adoption rates need to be addressed in future research.

Background Despite a number of studies showing that women and men respond to coronary artery bypass graft surgery differently, it is not known whether variables associated with mortality are the same for women and men. The purpose of this study was to identify variables independently associated with mortality for women undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Methods Single-institutional data were prospectively collected from 5,113 patients (1,558 or 30.5% women) undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The database was reviewed for patient characteristics and operative outcomes based on sex. Complications evaluated included low cardiac output syndrome (cardiac index < 2.0 l x min(-1) x m(-2) for > 8 h, regardless of treatment), stroke (new permanent global or focal motor deficits), Q-wave myocardial infarction, postoperative atrial fibrillation, and operative mortality. Results Women were older than men, and they were more likely to have preexisting hypertension, diabetes, and a history of stroke. Operative mortality for women was higher than for men (3.5% vs. 2.5%, P < 0.05). Compared with men, women were more likely to experience a postoperative myocardial infarction, stroke, and low cardiac output syndrome. When performing analysis on data from both sexes separately, low cardiac output syndrome, new stroke, myocardial infarction, and duration of cardiopulmonary bypass were independently associated with mortality for women and men both. Patient age was not independently associated with risk for mortality for women, but it was for men. However, when the authors combined both sexes in the logistic regression analysis, the age-sex interaction was not significant (P = 0.266), indicating that there was insufficient evidence to assert that age has a different effect on mortality for men and women. Conclusions These data confirm that women have higher perioperative mortality after coronary artery bypass graft surgery compared with men. A higher frequency of cardiac and neurologic complications seem to account to a large extent for the higher operative mortality for women. Factors independently associated with perioperative mortality are generally similar for women and men.