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Item Adapting and implementing health systems guidelines: learning lessons from countries.(2026-Sep-10) Zeitouny S; Fahim C; Adewuya AO; Adjorlolo S; Mwamba C; Velez CM; Straus SE; Marten RItem Scaling-up tuberculosis preventive therapy to HIV-negative contacts of bacteriologically confirmed TB cases aged 5 years and above - Lessons from a tuberculosis preventive therapy surge activity in Zambia.(2026) Mwaba PB; Mwaba I; Maimbolwa MM; Chanda C; Mputu M; Lumbwe C; Zimba K; Chanda NK; Chimzizi R; Mubanga A; Muyoyeta M; Kagujje MWhile tuberculosis preventive therapy (TPT) coverage among people living with HIV in Zambia has improved, uptake among HIV-negative contacts aged ≥5 years remains low. Despite evidence showing that TPT can reduce TB incidence by up to 60% in HIV-negative individuals, there is a paucity of evidence on programmatic rollout to this population in Zambia and the region. We present programme data from a TPT surge aimed at increasing uptake among ≥5 years old HIV-negative household TB contacts. The National TB Programme, with support from the TB Local Organizations Network, conducted a TPT surge in 89 high TB-burden facilities across eight project supported provinces in Zambia from October 2024-15th January 2025. After a thorough planning phase, multidisciplinary teams conducted field visits for contact tracing and initiated TPT for eligible household contacts of bacteriologically confirmed TB.. Facility-based TPT initiation was provided for walk-in clients. We collected and analyzed aggregate data from facility registers. A total of 19,371 HIV-negative contacts aged ≥ 5 years were screened: 99.9% (n = 19,344) were eligible for and offered TPT. Of these, 72.4% (n = 14,000) were initiated on TPT, 2.0% (n = 385) refused and 26.2% (n = 4,959) were not initiated on treatment due to unavailability of their preferred regimen. The start of the surge was associated with an immediate 47.7% points increase in TPT coverage (p = 0.001). Overall, 63.7% (n = 8,917) were initiated on three-months Isoniazid+Rifapentine, followed by six-months Isoniazid (30.2%, n = 4226); one-month Isoniazid+Rifapentine (4.5%, n = 625) and on three-months Isoniazid+Rifampicin (1.7%, n = 232). The surge demonstrated that TPT can be rolled out to ≥5 years old HIV-negative TB contacts with high initiation rates achieved. This is achievable through targeted implementation, stakeholder engagement, and community-driven approaches. These findings underscore the feasibility of extending TPT to all TB contacts, regardless of HIV status or age, to accelerate TB prevention efforts in high-burden settings like Zambia.Item Raising the bar: translating global guidelines to achieve local policy on cholera elimination in Zambia-a qualitative case study.(2026-Sep-10) Mwamba, Chanda; Banda, Tikulirekuti ; Mazaba, Mazyanga ; Mukonka, Victor; Malama, Kennedy; Hamweemba, Esther; Syulikwa, Mainza; Chilengi, Roma; Sharma, Anjali; Fahim, Christine; Marten, Robert ; Yangchen, Sonam; Straus, SharonBACKGROUND: The global roadmap to eliminating cholera by 2030 relies on early detection and response, vaccination in hotspots and effective partnerships. In sub-Saharan Africa, where 60% of the 2.8 million annual cases occur, cholera elimination requires a multisectoral response. To accelerate progress, improved understanding of how to translate a multisectoral approach to eliminate cholera is needed. METHODS: We evaluated implementation of Zambia's Multisectoral Cholera Elimination Plan (MCEP) using six phases of Graham's Knowledge-to-Action (KTA) framework (adaption, assessing barriers, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and sustaining knowledge use). We reviewed the MCEP to assess the policy environment for supporting implementation and triangulated information from 24 key informant interviews with policy-makers and implementers, 12 in-depth interviews with cholera survivors and focus group discussions with 28 community-based neighbourhood health committee members. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. We present our findings under each KTA phase. RESULTS: The MCEP prioritizes actions in hotspots, and vaccinations through a multisectoral governance and coordination structure. The appointment of a coordinator and formation of multisectoral technical working groups (TWGs) have improved dissemination, coordination and the case for additional investments in laboratory capacity, cholera vaccines and infrastructure for water, sanitation, hygiene and decentralized solid waste management. However, slow institutionalization of plans, weak coordination, inadequate funding, poor infrastructure and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to fragmented implementation. The sustainability of the MCEP is not assured without: (1) comprehensive advocacy; (2) resource mobilization (international and national budget commitment); (3) monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of progress; and (4) information synthesis and dissemination for end users. CONCLUSIONS: A multisectoral approach can help gain adequate momentum and efficiencies to eliminate cholera in Zambia, provided stakeholders are fully committed and funding is allocated to support plans. An adaptive collaborative strategy within national guidelines and policies that includes target communities is needed to support local translation, adaptation and concerted efforts to eliminate cholera.Item Dating Applications as HIV Prevention Ecosystems in the Era of Digital Sexual Networks(2026-9-17) De Maria Francesco; Fusco Paolo; Russo AlessandroDating applications have become central components of contemporary sexual networks, yet HIV prevention remains largely organised outside these digital environments. We propose that dating applications should be conceptualised as potential HIV and sexual health prevention ecosystems, connecting testing, PrEP and PEP navigation, STI services, vaccination, telemedicine, partner notification, behavioural support, and artificial intelligence-enabled health navigation. Existing evidence supports the effectiveness of many of these digital interventions individually, while emerging integrated models suggest opportunities to connect digital engagement with real-world care pathways. Artificial intelligence may provide an additional navigation layer capable of improving personalisation and continuity across prevention services. However, implementation will require careful attention to privacy, governance, equity, healthcare accessibility, and differences across health systems. Rather than replacing existing healthcare services, digital prevention ecosystems could complement them by bringing prevention closer to the environments where sexual interactions increasingly originate.Item The Effect of Recruitment and Selection on Employee Performance in Microfinance: A Case Study of Express Credit Zambia Ltd(2026-9-11) Namwinga Sarah; Mwenda Dr. EvansHuman capital is vital for organizational success, with recruitment and selection shaping workforce quality. Express Credit Zambia faces challenges in attracting and retaining capable employees. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of recruitment and selection practices on employee performance at Express Credit Zambia Limited. The study adopted a quantitative research design underpinned by a deductive approach. Primary data were collected through structured self-administered questionnaires distributed online. The questionnaire was divided into four sections: demographic information, recruitment, selection, and employee performance, with responses measured using a five-point Likert scale. Reliability was tested using Cronbach’s Alpha, with coefficients exceeding the 0.70 threshold, confirming internal consistency. Validity was ensured through alignment with study objectives and Human Capital Theory. Data were analyzed using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis to test research questions. The findings revealed that recruitment had a statistically significant positive effect on employee performance, with regression results showing that recruitment variables explained 42% of the variance in performance outcomes (R² = 0.42, p < 0.05). Selection also demonstrated a strong positive effect, accounting for 47% of the variance in employee performance (R² = 0.47, p < 0.05). When recruitment and selection practices were combined, the predictive power increased substantially, with multiple regression results indicating that together they explained 61% of the variance in employee performance (R² = 0.61, p < 0.01). These results confirm that structured, merit-based recruitment and selection are critical drivers of employee productivity, efficiency, and achievement of work targets within Express Credit Zambia.Item Structural transition in antimicrobial resistance dynamics of Corynebacterium striatum(2027-3) Lorencz Anna; Sajerli Bence; Burián Katalin; Orosz LászlóItem Machine learning–driven analysis of CMV-DNA levels and associated factors(2027-1) Gencer Sanem Karadag; Ustundag Yasemin; Aktas NimetItem Molecular detection and subtype distribution of Blastocystis in hospitalized patients with gastrointestinal cancer and polyps in Hainan, China(2026-12) Li Zongxin; Zhang Qiushi; Lu Yanche; Wang Jing; Shan Shuo; Chen Chenghui; Lin Duomin; Zhang Tiemin; Liu Aiqin; Zhao WeiItem Spectral fingerprinting by FTIR microspectroscopy enables differentiation of Gram status, strain variability and resistance phenotypes among diabetic foot infection isolates(2026-10) Jaber Deema; Mansour Randa; Khalil Enam; Albsoul-Younes Abla; Younes Nidal; Yousef Ibraheem; Al-Bakri Amal G.Item Rek-Surv: A lightweight deep survival model for plant infectious disease onset prediction(2026-12) Xiao Jinggui; Hu Shan; Deng Xiaoling; Lan Yubin; Xu Meirong; Dai Fen; Li Yuhe; You Junchao; Zhang Guangnan; Liu Yongshun