From preparedness to practice: bringing evidence closer to reality

In Guatemala, many households face two forms of malnutrition at the same time: a young child with stunted growth and a woman with overweight or obesity. Using national survey data from 2013–2019, researchers found that this affected about one in five households. It was more common in households with lower levels of education, Indigenous families, larger families, and limited access to health insurance, highlighting the need for more equitable and integrated nutrition policies.

Sagastume, D., Mazariegos, M., Polman, K., Palmieri, M., Mesarina, K., Peñalvo, J. L., Beňová, L., & Ramírez-Zea, M. (2026). Overlapping sociodemographic factors of single and multiple forms of malnutrition in Guatemalan households: A secondary data analysis of the Epidemiological Health and Nutrition Surveillance System (2013–2019). BMJ Public Health, 4, e002792. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjph-2025-002792

HIV self-tests have been available in Belgian pharmacies since 2017, but a survey among Belgian community pharmacies found that sales remain very low. Only one in three pharmacies reported selling the self-tests and about 23% sells one or two of those tests per year. Most pharmacists see self-tests as a useful extra testing option, but many reported feeling uncomfortable advising clients due to limited experience and knowledge.  Better training of pharmacists, enhanced visibility and affordability of the kits could increase uptake and strengthen the role of pharmacists as complementary providers of HIV testing. 

Rotsaert, A., Beseran Valero, E., Nöstlinger, C., Vanbaelen, T., Van den Bossche, D., Deblonde, J., Scheerder, G., Ravinetto, R., Reyniers, T., & Hensen, B. (2026). Sales of HIV self-tests (HIVST) and pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding the distribution of HIVST in community pharmacies in Belgium: a cross-sectional survey. Sexually Transmitted Infections. https://doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2026-056906 

In Burkina Faso’s Nanoro Health District, most surveyed healthcare workers said they would vaccinate their children against malaria. However, few were hesitant due to insufficient information about the vaccine and more than one-fifth had limited knowledge about this specific vaccine. More than half had not received training before the rollout. The study highlights the need for clear communication and training to support long-term vaccine uptake.

Lamien, J., Kaboré, B., Derra, K., Compaoré, Z. M. J., Nassa, G. J. W., Yaro, A. P. K., Gbangou, B. R., Ravinetto, R., Tinto, H., & Dochez, C. (2026). Healthcare workers’ knowledge and acceptance of the malaria vaccine in the Nanoro Health District of Burkina Faso: a cross-sectional study. Malaria Journal. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-026-06006-8