This paper presents a participatory method for conducing a collaborative and culturally appropriate dialogue process between gene drive researchers and Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Coordinated by the Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research and representatives of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB), this dialogue aimed to build trust and facilitate mutual understanding and create a safe space for sharing traditional knowledge, rather than to reach decisions on the research or implementation of gene drive technology.Over a three-year period, the dialogue evolved through multiple formats, recognising the specific needs to establish a meaningful and culturally appropriate dialogue between these two groups, while ensuring that Indigenous Peoples and local communities could share their traditional knowledge, traditions and innovations in a safe and trusted environment.The method integrates key engagement principles – such as good faith, reciprocity, inclusivity, and respect for Indigenous Peoples and local communities’ knowledge systems – and describes how they were operationalised in practice. It provides a concrete example of applied engagement methodology in the context of gene drive and explores how these principles have influenced the dialogue’s format and the journey of both groups throughout this process, while also sharing some of the challenges they encountered.This is not a theoretical review, but a joint account from practitioners from diverse backgrounds and interests, on how engagement methods can be implemented in real-world settings. The approach offers practical insights for designing sustained and scalable engagement strategies between scientists and Indigenous Peoples on complex and emerging science topics.

Cholera remains a significant public health challenge in Africa, where outbreaks routinely strain public health and healthcare systems. Cholera surveillance time series data could be used to inform the efficient distribution of resources like oral cholera vaccine (OCV) and emergency response personnel, spur research on the impacts of different cholera control activities, and investigate longer-term epidemiologic patterns in cholera dynamics in this region. However, public reporting of cholera surveillance data historically has been sporadic and often limited to outbreak periods, thus limiting the availability of these useful time series datasets. We sought to fill this gap by preparing, cleaning, and processing weekly consecutive time series and outbreak-specific time series from 2010 to 2023 for African countries from heterogeneous data contributed to a global cholera surveillance database. Cholera incidence data in Africa from 2010 to 2023 on suspected cases, confirmed cases, and deaths were compiled from public and non-public cholera surveillance from multiple sources, including ministries of health, World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières, UNICEF, and other sources. Data were processed by aggregating daily records to weekly levels, averaging duplicate entries, filling gaps and surrounding weeks with zero cases, aligning epidemic weeks, adjusting population data, and removing identifying geographic information to preserve confidentiality as appropriate. Outbreaks were subsequently extracted using a systematic definition and summary statistics were produced by spatial scale and population density. Summary outbreak metrics were compared to previously published cholera outbreak datasets for data validation. The unified surveillance and outbreak datasets provide an extensive compilation of reported cholera activity in Africa from 2010 to 2023, serving as a valuable resource for long-term control planning and early warning systems. Public health researchers can also leverage these datasets to analyze outbreak dynamics, anticipate resource needs, and assess the theoretical impact of control strategies.

The sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) is an important food crop in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, but its yield and quality are heavily affected by viral diseases. Timely and precise detection of virus infections is essential for effective monitoring of seed health and disease management. We evaluated the feasibility of using a compact, ultra-portable LAMP-based diagnostic device—initially designed for human health applications—for detecting key sweetpotato viruses (SPCSV, SPFMV, and SPLCV). Field and greenhouse samples were tested, showing 100% agreement in virus detection with a larger commonly used LAMP device. Sensitivity tests confirmed consistent performance, and the use of portable power banks enabled reliable on-site use. The statistical analysis indicated high accuracy and strong correlation in time-to-positive values between methods (r > 0.89, p < 0.01). Furthermore, cost analysis demonstrated that the pocket LAMP device setup significantly reduced per-test costs—by approximately 40%—while maintaining diagnostics reliability. These findings support the potential of this tool on plant virus detection in locations with limited resources.

Population distributions across countries and regions exhibit significant spatial and temporal variability. This variation highlights the need for high-resolution, small-area demographic data to address the challenges posed by shifting population dynamics, urbanization, and migration. Small area population modelling, particularly the production of gridded population estimates, has advanced rapidly over the past decade. Gridded population estimates rely heavily on the availability of detailed geospatial ancillary datasets to capture, inform and explain the variabilities in population densities and distributions at small area scales, enabling the disaggregation from areal unit-based counts. Here we describe an extensive geospatial collection of annual, high resolution, spatio-temporally harmonised, global datasets aimed at driving improvements in mapping small area population density variation. This article presents the spatio-temporal harmonisation process that results in an open access repository of 73 individual gridded datasets addressing topography, climate, nighttime lights, land cover, inland water, infrastructure, protected areas as well as the built-up environment on a global level at a spatial resolution of 3 arc-seconds (approximately 100 metres). Datasets are available as annual time series from 2015 up to and including at least 2020, and as recent as 2023 where source datasets allow. Such datasets not only support population modelling but also applications across environmental, economic, and health sectors, supporting informed policy-making and resource allocation for sustainable development.

Several studies have documented the persistence of economic development outcomes across space and over long periods. Other studies have argued that the reversal of fortune has also occurred over time and space. Since different areas of current Nigeria were once under the rule of states with different degrees of political centralization and later investment in Koranic, this study seeks to explore whether areas or districts under a more centralized political system are more likely to participate in large-scale school expansion programs, such as the 1976 Universal Primary Education (UPE) and 1999 Universal Basic Education (UBE). To check for evidence of the reversal of fortune, we determine whether the degree of state centralization on school participation is more or less in areas that have large investments in Koranic education. OLS results show that while an index of state centralization has a positive and significant impact on enrolment in UPE and UBE programs, the effect is negative and statistically significant for those with heavy investment in Koranic education (measured by district fraction of 1914-46 cohorts with Koranic education). The results are robust to adding an extensive range of explanatory variables and specification tests. While the structure of the economy at the onset of Islamic activities in Nigeria may have made investment in Koranic education worthwhile, the contemporary world does not require Koranic education to make either regional or national advancement possible. Thus, there is a clear case of mismatch between the demands of modern economic life and the skills possessed by a large section. Thus, well-designed policies are required to address this mismatch and accelerate inclusive economic development.

Understanding and mapping the time to travel among locations is useful for many activities from urban planning to public health and myriad others. Here we present a software package - traveltime - written in and for the language R. traveltime enables a user to create a raster map of the travel time over an area of interest from a user-specified set of locations defined by geographic coordinates. The result is a raster of the area of interest where the value in each cell is the lowest travel time in minutes to the nearest of the supplied locations. We envisage this software having diverse applications including: estimating sampling bias, allocating defibrillators, setting health districts, or mapping access to vehicle chargers and agricultural facilities. The work-flow requires two key steps: preparing a friction surface for the area of interest, and then calculating travel time over that surface for the points of interest. traveltime is available from R-Universe and GitHub, and documented at https://idem-lab.github.io/traveltime/.

BackgroundAnemia among women of reproductive age has remained highly prevalent globally. Intravenous (IV) iron is well tolerated and proven effective for treating postpartum iron deficiency anemia in high-income countries, but evidence from LMICs, where oral iron is standard treatment, is limited. The PRIORITY trial will test the effectiveness of IV iron compared to oral iron for postpartum women with moderate anemia in eight LMIC sites. An implementation research (IR) study will be conducted alongside the PRIORITY trial in India and Pakistan to gather information on the intervention characteristics and the implementation process, and to assess feasibility, acceptability, fidelity, and cost of implementation for providing IV iron to postpartum women with moderate iron deficiency anemia.MethodsThe PRIORITY IR study will use a mixed methods convergent parallel design guided by two frameworks: the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and Proctor’s implementation outcomes. The IR study will be conducted in the Belagavi, India and Karachi, Pakistan PRIORITY trial sites. Participants will include postpartum women in the IV iron intervention arm of the trial, family members, health workers administering IV iron, hospital administrators, postpartum women who refuse to be part of the trial (Pakistan only), and postpartum women in the oral iron arm of the trial (India only). Data collection methods will include surveys, in-depth interviews, a supervision checklist, and a cost assessment. Survey and supervision checklist data will be analyzed descriptively. Interview data will be analyzed using a directed content analysis approach.DiscussionThe PRIORITY IR study will contribute important information about implementation processes and strategies and feasibility, acceptability, fidelity, and costs for postpartum IV iron implementation. Results of the study can provide guidance for implementing effective anemia treatment in LMIC contexts with a high anemia burden.RegistrationNCT05590260 (21/10/2022),CTRI/2022/10/046632 (19/10/2022),CTRI/2023/05/053302 (31/05/2023).

Virtual exchanges are emerging as innovative educational tools with the potential to foster collaboration between High-Income Countries (HICs) and Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). These initiatives hold the potential to enhance intercultural competencies, promote equitable partnerships, and address resource disparities. Understanding the pedagogical underpinnings, challenges, and best practices of virtual exchanges is vital for developing scalable and sustainable integration into healthcare education. To what extent have virtual exchanges in global health been reported in the literature to date, including their frameworks, impact and sustainability? Studies involving a global health virtual exchange between at least one HIC and one LMIC will be included. Sources in all healthcare contexts will be included. Non-English language publications and those solely using secondary data will be excluded. The review will be conducted in line with the Joanna Briggs Institute guidance for scoping reviews (1). The following electronic databases will be searched: Medline Ovid, Embase, CINAHL & ERIC. A search of the grey literature will also be conducted. Three reviewers will independently screen the titles and abstracts and full texts for eligibility. Data extraction will be conducted independently by three reviewers. A narrative summary and tables will be presented. Key stakeholders will be consulted throughout the review. This scoping review will provide a comprehensive understanding of virtual exchanges in global health, outlining frameworks, outcomes, content and best practices. The findings will inform the development of evidence-based models to design and sustain virtual exchanges between HIC and LMICs, enhancing their impact in global health education and practice. This protocol was registered to the Open Science Framework (OSF): DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/MWHBP.

Estimated Modern Use (EMU) is a novel, service statistics-based indicator designed to complement Couple Years of Protection (CYP) in assessing the scale of family planning use and the first widely used metric since CYPs. Developed by the Track20 project, EMU offers a population-based proportional metric that facilitates cross-country comparisons and temporal trend analysis. By leveraging existing family planning service statistics, EMU provides a more accessible and interpretable measure of contraceptive use.The associated SS-to-EMU tool used to calculate EMU incorporates rigorous data quality review mechanisms, including data visualizations and validated review processes, to enhance the reliability and utility of family planning data for decision-making. The standardization of EMU across countries and projects promotes its integration into routine data review practices, fostering a more comprehensive approach to family planning monitoring and evaluation. Since 2014, all countries that prepare annual estimates for the FP2030 global initiative utilize the SS to EMU tool, to assess data quality and produce EMU estimates.Moreover, the EMU serves as a valuable input for the Family Planning Estimation Tool (FPET), contributing to the refinement of modeled estimates of modern contraceptive prevalence. Since its introduction, EMU has gained widespread adoption at various levels, demonstrating its effectiveness in informing global, regional, and country-level monitoring efforts. Ongoing refinements to the EMU calculation further enhance its accuracy and utility as a supplementary data source for understanding contraceptive use patterns.

As a Hindu-majority province in Indonesia, Bali presents a unique and distinctive culture. Patrilocal ( purusa) marriage and patrilineal inheritance as a continuation of the patriarchal system puts a male in the key role of family representative and successor. Having a son is a priority for a married couple in Balinese society. As a consequence, Balinese women experience several constraints related to their economic productive, reproductive, and adat (ritual) roles. When a family does not have a male heir, their daughter is pressed to find a spouse willing to accept sentana (daughter succession) marriage. This secondary form of marriage brings another complication for Balinese-Hindu women and does not necessarily relieve their submissive position. This study analyzes Balinese-Hindu women's perspectives on their marriage experiences and fertility decisions in patrilineal society in changing rural and urban conditions. The data was collected in two areas representing rural (Gianyar) and urban (Denpasar) locations in Bali Province, Indonesia from November 2019 to February 2020. Primary data was based on in-depth interviews of six rural and six urban married Balinese-Hindu women. This qualitative inquiry into Balinese women's experience of the marriage system and fertility options in urban and rural Bali revealed varying degrees of social expectation to provide male descendants for their families. At the same time, economic burdens still haunted them in this development era and manifested conflicting implications for family size. Their stories of purusa and sentana marriage were complex because it has strongly associated with customary law ( adat) in traditional society. Paradoxically, this study found that it was predominantly rural women who opted for the sentana arrangement and expressed a preference for smaller family sizes. This study explores women's fertility aspirations, notably regarding son precedence. It problematizes the sentana marriage alternative as a potential solution to alleviate the expectations and burdens placed on women.