Huong Thien Le

All Publications

• LISTEN: lived experiences of Long COVID: a social media analysis of mental health and supplement use. Frontiers in big data Martin, S., Janse Van Rensburg, M., Le, H. T., Firth, C., Chandrasekar, A., Clark, S. E., Vanderslott, S., Vindrola-Padros, C., Vera San Juan, N. 2025; 8: 1539724

  Abstract

  Long COVID, or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), is a complex condition characterized by a wide range of persistent symptoms that can significantly impact an individual's quality of life and mental health. This study explores public perspectives on the mental health impact of Long COVID and the use of dietary supplements for recovery, drawing on social media content. It uniquely addresses how individuals with Long COVID discuss supplement use in the absence of public health recommendations.The study employs the LISTEN method ("Collaborative and Digital Analysis of Big Qual Data in Time Sensitive Contexts"), an interdisciplinary approach that combines human insight and digital analysis software. Social media data related to Long COVID, mental health, and supplement use were collected using the Pulsar Platform. Data were analyzed using the free-text discourse analysis tool Infranodus and collaborative qualitative analysis methods.The findings reveal key themes, including the impact of Long COVID on mental health, occupational health, and the use of food supplements. Analysis of attitudes toward supplement use highlights the prevalence of negative emotions and experiences among Long COVID patients. The study also identifies the need for evidence-based recommendations and patient education regarding supplement use.The findings contribute to a better understanding of the complex nature of Long COVID and inform the development of comprehensive, patient-centered care strategies addressing both physical and mental health needs.

  View details for DOI 10.3389/fdata.2025.1539724

  View details for PubMedID 40612098

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC12224277

• Holding the line: Analysis of policies and practices for gender equality, fairness, and equity among 199 global organisations active in health 50/50, G., et al Global Health 50/50. 2025

  Abstract

  The 2025 Report seeks to contribute to understanding how current political contexts impact the most influential organisations active in global health – and their ability and/or willingness to maintain gender justice, fairness and equity commitments. For the first time since G5050 began monitoring in 2017, we document a regression across the variables we assess. The regression is particularly marked for organisations (both for-profit and nonprofits) with US federal grants or contracts who stand to lose funding, influence or charitable status if they do not comply with the directives from the current US administration, whether such outcomes are legally enforceable or not.

  DOI 10.56649/KBQU4428
• Gaining ground? Global Report Analysis of the gender-related policies and practices of 201 global organisations active in health 50/50, G., et al Global Health 50/50. 2024

  Abstract

  Global Health 50/50’s 2024 Report presents a detailed analysis of gender equality and diversity in global health leadership across 201 organisations active in global health. Drawing on seven years of annual assessments, and for the first time reviewing the data for the nonprofit (UN, multi- and bi-laterals, NGOs, etc) and the for-profit sectors separately, the Report finds that important progress has been made, including reaching gender parity among nonprofit board members. Yet significant disparities remain. The Report highlights that only 2% of nonprofit board seats are held by women from low-income countries. It calls for urgent structural changes and rigorous accountability to foster inclusive, equitable and effective organisations active in global health.

  DOI 10.56649/ovwl4422
• Testing the effects of the Shamiri Intervention and its components on anxiety, depression, wellbeing, and academic functioning in Kenyan adolescents: study protocol for a five-arm randomized controlled trial. Trials Venturo-Conerly, K. E., Osborn, T. L., Wasil, A. R., Le, H., Corrigan, E., Wasanga, C., Weisz, J. R. 2021; 22 (1): 829

  Abstract

  Treatments for youth mental disorders are a public health priority, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where treatment options remain limited due to high cost, elevated stigma, and lack of trained mental health professionals. Brief, accessible, and non-stigmatizing community-based interventions delivered by lay providers may help address treatment needs in SSA. One such intervention, the Shamiri Intervention, consisting of three elements (growth mindset, gratitude, and value affirmation) has been tested in randomized controlled trials with school-going Kenyan adolescents. This three-element Shamiri Intervention has been shown to significantly reduce depression and anxiety symptoms and improve social support and academic performance relative to a control group. In this trial, we aim to investigate the effects of each element of the Shamiri Intervention.In this five-arm randomized controlled trial, we will test each of the intervention components (growth mindset, gratitude, and value affirmation) against the full Shamiri Intervention and against a study skills control intervention. Students (Nplanned = 1288) at participating secondary schools who are interested in participating in this universal intervention will be randomized in equal numbers into the five groups. The students will meet in groups of 8-15 students led by local high school graduate lay providers. These lay providers will receive a brief training, plus expert supervision once a week throughout the intervention delivery. Multi-level models will be used to compare trajectories over time of the primary outcomes (depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, academic performance, and wellness) and secondary outcomes in each intervention group to the control group. Multi-level models will also be used to compare trajectories over time of the primary outcomes (depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, academic performance, and wellness) and secondary outcomes of participants in the single-element interventions compared to the full Shamiri Intervention. Finally, effect sizes (calculated as mean gain scores) will be used to compare all groups on all measures.This trial will shed light on the mechanisms and outcomes targeted by each individual intervention, helping prioritize which mental health interventions are most important to disseminate.PACTR Trial ID: PACTR202104716135752 . Approved on 4/19/2021.

  View details for DOI 10.1186/s13063-021-05736-1

  View details for PubMedID 34809679

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8607059