People-centred health systems: building more resilient health systems in the wake of the Ebola crisis
The 2014–2016 West African Ebola outbreak demonstrated the extent to which local social and political dynamics shape health system responses to crises such as epidemics. Many post-Ebola health system strengthening programmes are framed around a notion of health system ‘resilience’ that focuses on global rather than local priorities and fails to account for key local social dynamics that shape crisis responses. Post-crisis health system strengthening efforts require a shift towards a more ‘people-centred’ understanding of resilience that attends to the people, relationships and local contexts t...
Source: International Health - September 27, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Martineau, F. P. Tags: Commentaries Source Type: research
Taking local ownership: government and household contribution to indoor residual spraying in Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania
Conclusion
Government involvement, particularly through budgetary allocations and increased in-kind contribution, needs to be encouraged for malaria control efforts to be locally owned, managed and sustained. (Source: International Health)
Source: International Health - July 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Alidina, Z., Colaco, R., Ali, A. S., Mcha, J. H., Mwalimu, C. D., Thawer, N. G., Lalji, S., Mutagahywa, J., Ramsan, M. M., Kafuko, J. M., Kaspar, N., Magesa, S. M., Reithinger, R., Ngondi, J. M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Client satisfaction: correlates and implications for improving HIV/AIDS treatment and care services in southern Ethiopia
Conclusions
Healthcare systems need to improve the responsiveness and quality of HIV care, and integrate a mental health care component to achieve higher client satisfaction. Further studies on the types of health facilities (between health centers and hospitals) in relation to satisfaction with services are recommended. (Source: International Health)
Source: International Health - July 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Yakob, B., Purity Ncama, B. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding epilepsy in the Kingdom of Bhutan
Conclusions
While knowledge of epilepsy was overall fairly high, PWE more often held certain stigmatizing beliefs, including theories of contagion and a relationship between seizures and spiritual powers. Higher educational level and seizure freedom were associated with lower stigma, underscoring their importance in stigma reduction. (Source: International Health)
Source: International Health - July 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Brizzi, K., Deki, S., Tshering, L., Clark, S. J., Nirola, D. K., Patenaude, B. N., McKenzie, E. D., McLane, H. C., Cash, S. S., Dorji, C., Mateen, F. J. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Age-targeted HIV treatment and primary prevention as a 'ring fence to efficiently interrupt the age patterns of transmission in generalized epidemic settings in South Africa
Conclusions
Age-targeted treatment for HIV prevention is unlikely to eliminate HIV epidemics, but is an efficient strategy for reducing new infections in generalized epidemics settings. (Source: International Health)
Source: International Health - July 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Bershteyn, A., Klein, D. J., Eckhoff, P. A. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Assessment of current practices in management of childhood TB among frontline clinicians in Southern Nigeria
Conclusions
There are gaps in practices adopted by frontline clinicians in the management of childhood TB in Nigeria. Focused training of health workers on childhood TB care is urgently recommended. (Source: International Health)
Source: International Health - July 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Chukwu, J. N., Ukwaja, K. N., Ekeke, N., Nwafor, C. C., Meka, A. O., Madichie, N. O., Anyim, M. C., Ogbudebe, C., Adegbesan, J., Ikebudu, J., Oshi, D. C. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Spousal migration and human papillomavirus infection among women in rural western Nepal
Conclusion
Older women were found to have a higher prevalence of HPV than younger women. It is possible that a husband's migration for work could be delaying HR-HPV infections in married women until an older age. (Source: International Health)
Source: International Health - July 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Johnson, D. C., Lhaki, P., Bhatta, M. P., Kempf, M.-C., Smith, J. S., Bhattarai, P., Aryal, S., Chamot, E., Regmi, K., Vermund, S. H., Shrestha, S. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Interpretations of education about gene-environment influences on health in rural Ethiopia: the context of a neglected tropical disease
Conclusions
Taken together, these improvements support the acceptability, feasibility and potential benefits of implementing gene-environment education in low and middle income countries. (Source: International Health)
Source: International Health - July 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Tora, A., Ayode, D., Tadele, G., Farrell, D., Davey, G., McBride, C. M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Perspective and investments in health system strengthening of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance: a content analysis of health system strengthening-specific funding
Conclusions
Gavi's HSS support emphasized inputs with short-term measurable outcomes. Harmonization of the concept of HSS and collaboration between Gavi and multilateral international agencies, such as World Bank and WHO, are needed. (Source: International Health)
Source: International Health - July 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Tsai, F.-J., Lee, H., Fan, V. Y. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Ethics of emergent information and communication technology applications in humanitarian medical assistance
New applications of information and communication technology (ICT) are shaping the way we understand and provide humanitarian medical assistance in situations of disaster, disease outbreak or conflict. Each new crisis appears to be accompanied by advancements in humanitarian technology, leading to significant improvements in the humanitarian aid sector. However, ICTs raise ethical questions that warrant attention. Focusing on the context of humanitarian medical assistance, we review key domains of ICT innovation. We then discuss ethical challenges and uncertainties associated with the development and application of new ICT...
Source: International Health - July 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Hunt, M., Pringle, J., Christen, M., Eckenwiler, L., Schwartz, L., Dave, A. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Antimalarial mass drug administration: ethical considerations
Falciparum malaria is a major cause of death and illness in tropical countries, particularly in childhood. In endemic countries, a significant proportion of the community is infected with malaria asymptomatically. One promising way to eliminate malaria is to give the entire population malaria treatment. This is called mass drug administration (MDA) and it raises a number of ethical issues, as possible long-term benefits are uncertain. The effectiveness of MDA is critically dependent on level of participation, so the promised benefits to the community can be annulled by non-participation of a small number of individuals. Th...
Source: International Health - July 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Cheah, P. Y., White, N. J. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Tailoring mass drug administration to context: implementation research is critical in achieving equitable progress in the control and elimination of helminth neglected tropical diseases in sub-Saharan Africa
The concept of a technological quick fix or ‘magic-bullet’ for control and elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) is flawed. NTDs are embedded within complex biological and social systems that are shaped by ecological and political contexts. This commentary emphasises the need for implementation research to address implementation gaps in the control of NTDs. With a specific focus on sub-Saharan Africa and helminth diseases amenable to preventive chemotherapy through mass drug administration, we explore the important role of context, programme partnerships and community in achieving equitable and effe...
Source: International Health - July 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Dean, L., Page, S., Hawkins, K., Stothard, R., Thomson, R., Wanji, S., Gyapong, M., Anagbogu, I., Molyneux, D., Theobald, S. Tags: Commentaries Source Type: research
Polio eradication: no time for complacency
(Source: International Health)
Source: International Health - July 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Durrheim, D. N., Adams, A. Tags: Editorial Source Type: research
Social and cultural factors behind community resistance during an Ebola outbreak in a village of the Guinean Forest region, February 2015: a field experience
Conclusions
Engaging Ebola virus disease survivors improved community compliance. Understanding the sociocultural context and community perceptions may improve community engagement and prevent Ebola virus transmission. (Source: International Health)
Source: International Health - May 12, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Carrion Martin, A. I., Derrough, T., Honomou, P., Kolie, N., Diallo, B., Kone, M., Rodier, G., Kpoghomou, C., Jansa, J. M. Tags: SHORT COMMUNICATION Source Type: research
Health knowledge and health practices in Makeni, Sierra Leone: a community-based household survey
Conclusions
This initial survey of health knowledge and practices in rural and urban Makeni, Sierra Leone, highlights some simple opportunities for community health promotion, health education programming and behavioral interventions. Findings will inform future iterations of a CHW training module for community health education. (Source: International Health)
Source: International Health - May 12, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Abdelmalak, M. J., Ahmed, B. S., Mehta, K. Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research
