scholarly journals Gaps in Capacity in Primary Care in Low-Resource Settings for Implementation of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Mendis ◽  
Igbal Al Bashir ◽  
Lanka Dissanayake ◽  
Cherian Varghese ◽  
Ibtihal Fadhil ◽  
...  

Objective.The objective was to evaluate the capacity of primary care (PC) facilities to implement basic interventions for prevention and management of major noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.Methods.A cross-sectional survey was done in eight low- and middle-income countries (Benin, Bhutan, Eritrea, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, and Vietnam) in 90 PC facilities randomly selected. The survey included questions on the availability of human resources, equipment, infrastructure, medicines, utilization of services, financing, medical information, and referral systems.Results and Conclusions.Major deficits were identified in health financing, access to basic technologies and medicines, medical information systems, and the health workforce. The study has provided the foundation for strengthening PC to address noncommunicable diseases. There are important implications of the findings of this study for all low- and middle-income countries as capacity of PC is fundamental for equitable prevention and control of NCDs.

Author(s):  
Nweke Ebele Ndubuisi

Noncommunicable disease (NCD) causes about 35 million deaths and accounts for 60% of all deaths, of which 80% is in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). NCDs will account for 80% of the global burden of disease by 2020 and account for 7 out of every 10 deaths in LMIC. NCD is no longer an emerging problem in developing countries, it’s assuming an alarming dimension, and taking on the proportion of an epidemic. Several literatures document the known risk factors for significant NCDs. The critical risk factors are tobacco usage, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and detrimental usage of alcohol. To reverse the trend that leads to an increase in poor dietary patterns, sedentary lifestyle, tobacco use, and harmful alcohol use will need policies that transcend the health sector and policy change in different areas such as finance, urban planning, education, agriculture, and transportation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andre F. Carvalho ◽  
Brendon Stubbs ◽  
Davy Vancampfort ◽  
Stefan Kloiber ◽  
Michael Maes ◽  
...  

AbstractBackground: Evidence suggests that cannabis use may be associated with suicidality in adolescence. Nevertheless, very few studies have assessed this association in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In this cross-sectional survey, we investigated the association of cannabis use and suicidal attempts in adolescents from 21 LMICs, adjusting for potential confounders.Method: Data from the Global school-based Student Health Survey was analyzed in 86,254 adolescents from 21 countries [mean (SD) age = 13.7 (0.9) years; 49.0% girls]. Suicide attempts during past year and cannabis during past month and lifetime were assessed. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted.Results: The overall prevalence of past 30-day cannabis use was 2.8% and the age-sex adjusted prevalence varied from 0.5% (Laos) to 37.6% (Samoa), while the overall prevalence of lifetime cannabis use was 3.9% (range 0.5%–44.9%). The overall prevalence of suicide attempts during the past year was 10.5%. Following multivariable adjustment to potential confounding variables, past 30-day cannabis use was significantly associated with suicide attempts (OR = 2.03; 95% CI: 1.42–2.91). Lifetime cannabis use was also independently associated with suicide attempts (OR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.74–3.04).Conclusion: Our data indicate that cannabis use is associated with a greater likelihood for suicide attempts in adolescents living in LMICs. The causality of this association should be confirmed/refuted in prospective studies to further inform public health policies for suicide prevention in LMICs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanykey Jailobaeva ◽  
Jennifer Falconer ◽  
Giulia Loffreda ◽  
Stella Arakelyan ◽  
Sophie Witter ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including mental health, have become a major concern in low- and middle-income countries. Despite increased attention to them over the past decade, progress toward addressing NCDs has been slow. A lack of bold policy commitments has been suggested as one of the contributors to limited progress in NCD prevention and management. However, the policies of key global actors (bilateral, multilateral, and not-for-profit organisations) have been understudied. Methods This study aimed to map the key global actors investing in action regarding NCDs and review their policies to examine the articulation of priorities regarding NCDs. Narrative synthesis of 70 documents and 31 policy papers was completed, and related to data collated from the Global Health Data Visualisation Tool. Results In 2019 41% of development assistance for health committed to NCDs came from private philanthropies, while that for other global health priorities from this source was just 20%. Through a range of channels, bilateral donors were the other major source of NCD funding (contributing 41% of NCD funding). The UK and the US were the largest bilateral investors in NCDs, each contributing 8%. However, NCDs are still under-prioritised within bilateral portfolios – receiving just 0.48% of US funding and 1.66% of the UK. NGOs were the key channels of funding for NCDs, spending 48% of the funds from donors in 2019. The reviewed literature generally focused on NCD policies of WHO, with policies of multilateral and bilateral donors given limited attention. The analysis of policies indicated a limited prioritisation of NCDs in policy documents. NCDs are framed in the policies as a barrier to economic growth, poverty reduction, and health system sustainability. Bilateral donors prioritise prevention, while multilateral actors offer policy options for NCD prevention and care. Even where stated as a priority, however, funding allocations are not aligned. Conclusion The growing threat of NCDs and their drivers are increasingly recognised. However, global actors’ policy priorities and funding allocations need to align better to address these NCD threats. Given the level of their investment and engagement, more research is needed into the role of private philanthropies and NGOs in this area.


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