BMJ Glob Health. 2026 Jul 30;11(7):e020904. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2025-020904.
ABSTRACT
We designed and successfully implemented photography protocols for the PALM007 (Pamoja Tulinde Maisha — Together Save Lives in Swahili) randomised clinical trial evaluating tecovirimat for the treatment of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We addressed the unique challenges and limitations of conducting standardised photography procedures on patients with mpox in high-risk ‘red zones’ in remote study treatment centre sites. Key considerations included standardised photography protocols, training, quality assurance, participant privacy and comfort, and interpersonal communication. Our developed procedures enabled acquisition of 61 926 standardised, clinical-quality photographs of 597 patients with mpox. These considerations may guide future studies collecting standardised photographs in a low-resource setting.
PMID:42532635 | DOI:10.1136/bmjgh-2025-020904
