scholarly journals Challenges of COVID-19 and Tuberculosis - Urgent Need to Tackle the Dual Burden

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (27) ◽  
pp. 2018-2023
Author(s):  
Karma Gurmey Dolma ◽  
Tooba Mahboob ◽  
Maria de Lourdes Pereira ◽  
Christophe Wiart ◽  
Bidita Khandelwal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Products ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Synthetic Drugs ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Control And Management ◽  
Low And Middle Income

The COVID-19 disease has currently overwhelmed all other health issues throughout the world. There can be many repercussions on existing public health issues, especially tuberculosis (TB), which is endemic in many low and middle-income countries (LMICs). In most of the LMICs, the health services are poorly equipped, the resources being diverted to control the pandemic of COVID-19, which can lead to grave consequences for LMICs. COVID-19 and TB are known to affect the respiratory system, so their symptoms are very similar, and at times can be perplexing for diagnosis. Moreover, lack of proper treatment and vaccine for COVID-19 can further increase the mounting pressure. Synthetic drugs, such as hydroxychloroquine, are currently being used, but the side effects are a cause of concern. Hence, the efficacy of repositioned drugs is still under evaluation. The situation is further worsened by the possible development of drug-resistant mutants. What we need in current times is potential novel anti-viral drugs that are highly productive and economic in control and management of viral infections in LMICs. The only option which we can look upon is the natural products which are also known as bioactive compounds and their phytochemicals like flavonoids, alkaloids and peptides that have anti-viral secondary metabolites which have shown promising results on COVID-19. This review systematically emphasizes the urgency for treatment options, which can be both safe and effective, especially for TB patients from LMICs. KEY WORDS Tuberculosis, COVID-19, Low and Middle Income Countries, Natural products, AntiViral Agents

scholarly journals Nutritional perspectives for the prevention and mitigation of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Akhtar ◽  
Jai K Das ◽  
Tariq Ismail ◽  
Muqeet Wahid ◽  
Wisha Saeed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Options ◽  
Micronutrient Supplementation ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Nutritional Interventions ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Viable Approach ◽  
Micronutrient Fortification ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract Worldwide, there is an array of clinical trials under way to evaluate treatment options against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Concurrently, several nutritional therapies and alternative supportive treatments are also being used and tested to reduce the mortality associated with acute respiratory distress in patients with COVID-19. In the context of COVID-19, improved nutrition that includes micronutrient supplementation to augment the immune system has been recognized as a viable approach to both prevent and alleviate the severity of the infection. The potential role of micronutrients as immune-boosting agents is particularly relevant for low- and middle-income countries, which already have an existing high burden of undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. A systematic literature review was performed to identify nutritional interventions that might prevent or aid in the recovery from COVID-19. The PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched electronically from February to April 2020. All abstracts and full-text articles were examined for their relevance to this review. The information gathered was collated under various categories. Deficiencies of micronutrients, especially vitamins A, B complex, C, and D, zinc, iron, and selenium, are common among vulnerable populations in general and among COVID-19 patients in particular and could plausibly increase the risk of mortality. Judicious use of need-based micronutrient supplementation, alongside existing micronutrient fortification programs, is warranted in the current global pandemic, especially in low- and middle-income economies.

scholarly journals A systematic review of tools used to screen and assess for externalising behaviour symptoms in low and middle income settings

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Nezafat Maldonado ◽  
J. Chandna ◽  
M. Gladstone
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Ecological Validity ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Behaviour Problems ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Behavioural Difficulties ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Background.Mental health issues, often manifested as behavioural difficulties, in children are estimated to be high in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) settings. There is a paucity of definitive data due to a lack of well-validated tools to use across settings. This review aims to provide evidence on what tools are used and which have been adapted and validated in LMIC settings.Methods.We performed a systematic review to identify tools used to assess or screen externalising behaviour problems in children and adolescents in LMIC and assess their cultural adaptations. We searched for studies measuring externalising behaviour in children from 0 to 19 years published up to September 2018. Articles were assessed to identify tools used and analysed using the Ecological Validity Framework.Results.We identified 82 articles from over 50 LMICs who had studied externalising behaviour in children. Twenty-seven tools were identified, with a predominance of studies using tools from the USA and Europe. Most studies did not describe an adaptation and evaluation process, with only one study following recommended criteria. New tools were identified which both screen and assess externalising behaviour which have not yet been utilised across settings.Conclusions.Although tools from the USA and Europe are often utilised to screen and assess for externalising behaviour problems in children in LMICs, the conceptual frameworks behind the use of these tools in other cultural contexts are not always carefully examined. In order to have valid data across cultures, we should aim to adapt and validate tools before use. Provision of processes to validate tools across LMIC settings would be beneficial.

scholarly journals Mental Health in low-and middle income countries (LMICs): Going beyond the need for funding

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Folashade T Alloh ◽  
Pramod Regmi ◽  
Igoche Onche ◽  
Edwin Van Teijlingen ◽  
Steven Trenoweth
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Global Mental Health ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Despite being globally recognised as an important public health issue, mental health is still less prioritised as a disease burden in many Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). More than 70% of the global mental health burden occurs in these countries. We discussed mental health issues in LMICs under themes such as abuse and mental illness, cultural influence on mental health, need for dignity in care, meeting financial and workforce gaps and the need for national health policy for the mental health sector. We highlighted that although mental health education and health care services in most LMICs are poorly resourced; there is an urgent need to address issues beyond funding that contribute to poor mental health. In order to meet the increasing challenge of mental health illness in LMICs, there is a need for effort to address cultural and professional challenges that contribute to poor mental health among individuals. We have a notion that mental health should be integrated into primary health care in LMICs. Creating awareness on the impact of some cultural attitudes/practices will encourage better uptake of mental health services and increase the ease when discussing mental health issues in these countries which can contribute to reducing the poor mental health in LMICs.

Improving public health in low-and middle-income countries

2020 ◽  
pp. 358-371
Author(s):  
Eric Heymann ◽  
Nicholas Banatvala
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income

This chapter looks at the broader determinants of health and current approaches to tackling public health in poorer countries. Reading this chapter will help you understand: the major public health issues in low- and low middle-income countries; the approaches used to tackle them.

scholarly journals Barriers to access to hepatitis C treatment

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (04) ◽  
pp. 308-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hava Yilmaz ◽  
Esmeray Mutlu Yilmaz ◽  
Hakan Leblebicioglu
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Drug Market ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hepatitis C Treatment ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Only 1%–30% of patients in need of treatment may get it. In recent years, the availability of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) has been an important advancement in treating HCV infection. However, due to cost, it is not possible to receive these drugs in many countries where infection is endemic. In these low- and middle-income countries, the main barriers to controlling HCV infection are lack of knowledge about the infection, constraints on diagnostic testing and treatment, and lack of experts. Both national and international support are essential to overcoming these barriers. In low- and middle-income countries, interferon and ribavirin-based therapies still are the first choices due to their availability and to government payment support. In addition, in developed countries, efforts to provide lower-cost DAA drugs continue. Pharmaceutical companies continue to research manufacture of bio-equivalent drugs to reduce treatment costs. Considering the fake drug market, all developments need to be monitored closely by the institutions involved. This review focuses on barriers to hepatitis C treatment and ways to overcome those barriers.

Some Conditions for Task Shifting in Low and Middle-Income Countries

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joop de Jong ◽  
Mark Jordans ◽  
Ivan Komproe ◽  
Robert Macy ◽  
Aline & Herman Ndayisaba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Task Shifting ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income
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