scholarly journals Is cholera disease associated with poverty?

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (06) ◽  
pp. 408-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arturo Talavera ◽  
Ela M. Perez
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
World Health ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Intrinsic Factors ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Global Threat ◽  
Key Indicators

Background: Cholera remains a global threat and is one of the key indicators of social development. While the disease no longer poses a menace to countries with minimum standards of hygiene, it remains a serious challenge to countries where access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation cannot be guaranteed. The objective of this work was to analyse the results obtained when contrasting the reports of the World Health Organization (WHO) about cholera disease with those of the World Bank List of economies (countries). Methodology: Data were obtained from reports of two international organizations, the report on cholera disease incidence of the World Health Organization and the World Bank’s classification of countries attending to their income. Results: We determined that low-income countries are more affected by cholera disease than countries with middle or high income. This difference was reflected in the percent of countries, the total number of reported cases, the number of cases per 100,000 habitants, as well as in the reported mortality. These results support the phrase “cholera disease is a disease of poverty.” Conclusions: We consider that economic development is an important factor in the morbidity and mortality of cholera, together with environment, climate, culture, medical management, political intention, and the intrinsic factors of the system.

scholarly journals Counterfeit drugs as a global threat to health

2011 ◽  
Vol 64 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 285-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetlana Golocorbin-Kon ◽  
Momir Mikov
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
World Health ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Counterfeit Drugs ◽  
Counterfeit Medicines ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Global Threat ◽  
Many Sources

According to the World Health Organization, counterfeit medicines are medicines that are mislabeled deliberately and fraudulently regarding their identity and/or source. All kinds of medicines have been counterfeited, both branded and generic ones. Counterfeit medicines may include products containing correct or wrong ingredients; without active or with insufficiently or over-active ingredients, or with fake packaging. Many sources of information have been explored, including reports from the national medicine regulatory authorities, pharmaceutical companies and literature data. Since the time counterfeit drugs first appeared, they have become more sophisticated and more difficult to be detected. The World Health Organization estimate is that up to 1% of medicines available in the developed world are likely to be counterfeit. This figure rises to 10% globally, although in some developing countries it is 50%. The World Health Organization estimate is that 50% of medicines available via the internet are counterfeit. The knowledge about counterfeit drugs should be used to educate students of pharmacy and medicine, health professionals and patients. The most important players in campaign against counterfeit medicines are health professionals. Pharmacists and doctors should stay vigilant and report suspicious products, and consider counterfeits as a possible cause of adverse reactions or therapeutic failure. Patients should inform their pharmacists and doctors if they suspect any irregularity concerning their medication, if they experience side effects or a decrease in beneficial effect. The crucial step in the prevention of counterfeit medicines is to get supplied from reliable sources, i.e. licensed pharmacies.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Vaccine and Psychosocial Challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 185-191
Author(s):  
Dae Jung Kim ◽  
Jung Yeon Heo ◽  
Hyun Soo Kim
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Vaccination Rate ◽  
World Health ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
The Past ◽  
The World ◽  
Psychosocial Challenges ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Fourth Wave

It has been a year and half since the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As of July 23, 2021, more than 193 million people worldwide have been confirmed to contract the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), with more than 4.15 million deaths. In Korea, about 185,000 people have been confirmed and 2,066 have died of COVID-19. Korea is in the middle of the fourth wave of trends, and the metropolitan area is in the top stage of social distancing. Since the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination began in the UK in December 2020, the number of people who complete vaccination is only 13.3% around the world, and many low-income countries have less than 5%. In Korea, the first vaccination rate was 32.27%, but only 13% completed the vaccination until July 23. As expected, there has been a lot of confusion, controversy, and even fake news and rumors over the past five months since the vaccination against COVID-19 began in Korea on February 26, 2021. People’s views on vaccination are bound to vary depending on their experience, perspective, and even political stance. In this article, we wanted to introduce the arguments and conflicts that could arise during vaccinations and suggest what we should think about so that many people can get vaccinated without hesitation.

scholarly journals Is the outcome of schizophrenia really better in developing countries?

2006 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikram Patel ◽  
Alex Cohen ◽  
Rangaswamy Thara ◽  
Oye Gureje
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
World Health ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Cultural Variation ◽  
Organization Studies ◽  
Health Organization

That schizophrenia has a better prognosis in non-industrialized societies has become an axiom in international psychiatry; the evidence most often cited comes from three World Health Organization (WHO) cross-national studies. Although a host of socio-cultural factors have been considered as contributing to variation in the course of schizophrenia in different settings, we have little evidence from low-income countries that clearly demonstrates the beneficial influence of these variables. In this article, we suggest that the finding of better outcomes in developing countries needs re-examination for five reasons: methodological limitations of the World Health Organization studies; the lack of evidence on the specific socio-cultural factors which apparently contribute to the better outcomes; increasing anecdotal evidence describing the abuse of basic human rights of people with schizophrenia in developing countries; new evidence from cohorts in developing countries depicting a much gloomier picture than originally believed; and, rapid social and economic changes are undermining family care systems for people with schizophrenia in developing countries. We argue that the study of the long-term course of this mental disorder in developing countries is a major research question and believe it is time to thoroughly and systematically explore cross-cultural variation in the course and outcome of schizophrenia.

scholarly journals Mitotic Poisons in Research and Medicine

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (20) ◽  
pp. 4632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Škubník ◽  
Michal Jurášek ◽  
Tomáš Ruml ◽  
Silvie Rimpelová
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Cancer Therapeutics ◽  
Modern Medicine ◽  
World Health ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Treatment Services ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Cancer is one of the greatest challenges of the modern medicine. Although much effort has been made in the development of novel cancer therapeutics, it still remains one of the most common causes of human death in the world, mainly in low and middle-income countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer treatment services are not available in more then 70% of low-income countries (90% of high-income countries have them available), and also approximately 70% of cancer deaths are reported in low-income countries. Various approaches on how to combat cancer diseases have since been described, targeting cell division being among them. The so-called mitotic poisons are one of the cornerstones in cancer therapies. The idea that cancer cells usually divide almost uncontrolled and far more rapidly than normal cells have led us to think about such compounds that would take advantage of this difference and target the division of such cells. Many groups of such compounds with different modes of action have been reported so far. In this review article, the main approaches on how to target cancer cell mitosis are described, involving microtubule inhibition, targeting aurora and polo-like kinases and kinesins inhibition. The main representatives of all groups of compounds are discussed and attention has also been paid to the presence and future of the clinical use of these compounds as well as their novel derivatives, reviewing the finished and ongoing clinical trials.

scholarly journals The Inequities of Motherhood: The Challenges of Obstetric Anesthesia in Low-Income Countries

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Ricci
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Obstetric Anesthesia ◽  
World Health ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Anesthetic Care ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

The maternal mortality rate (MMR) is unconscionably high around the world, with women in low to middle income countries (LMICs) disproportionately passing away from potentially preventable causes. While this is a complicated and multifaceted problem, anesthesia has been identified as a contributing cause of death. From the moment the parturient enters the operating room, the anesthetist is responsible for their well-being. This integrative review was designed to further explore relationship between anesthesia and the MMR in LMICs. Twelve articles published within the last 15 years were selected through an extensive literature search using Medline and CINAHL. Each article was examined using the Polit and Beck (2017) assessment criteria followed by a cross table analysis. The results identified common themes across the studies including lack of infrastructure such as access to reliable power, water and oxygen, resources such as medications and basic anesthesia equipment, training focusing on maternal care and anesthesia and continuing education for providers. Knowing these deficiencies in anesthetic care, nurse anesthetists can assist in implementing changes to help reduce the MMR. Recommendations include encouraging hospitals and governments to make updating hospital infrastructure a priority, reaching out to groups such as the World Health Organization who help fund basic equipment such as pulse oximeters, establishing relationships with medical institutions in other regions to provide training and guidance, and focusing on the development of non-physician anesthetist programs to increase the number of proficient providers.

Successful Implementation of the World Health Organization Hand Hygiene Improvement Strategy in a Referral Hospital in Mali, Africa

2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedetta Allegranzi ◽  
Hugo Sax ◽  
Loséni Bengaly ◽  
Hervé Riebet ◽  
Daouda K. Minta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
World Health ◽  
Improvement Strategy ◽  
Hand Hygiene Improvement ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Objective.To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the World Health Organization hand hygiene improvement strategy in a low-income African country.Design.A before-and-after study from December 2006 through June 2008, with a 6-month baseline evaluation period and a follow-up period of 8 months from the beginning of the intervention.Setting.University Hospital, Bamako, Mali.Participants.TWO hundred twenty-four healthcare workers.Methods.The intervention consisted of introducing a locally produced, alcohol-based handrub; monitoring hand hygiene compliance; providing performance feedback; educating staff; posting reminders in the workplace; and promoting an institutional safety climate according to the World Health Organization multimodal hand hygiene improvement strategy. Hand hygiene infrastructure, compliance, healthcare workers' knowledge and perceptions, and handrub consumption were evaluated at baseline and at follow-up.Results.Severe deficiencies in the infrastructure for hand hygiene were identified before the intervention. Local handrub production and quality control proved to be feasible, affordable, and satisfactory. At follow-up, handrubbing was the quasi-exclusive hand hygiene technique (93.3%). Compliance increased from 8.0% at baseline to 21.8% at follow-up (P< .001). Improvement was observed across all professional categories and medical specialities and was independently associated with the intervention (odds ratio, 2.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-3.5). Knowledge enhanced significantly (P< .05), and perception surveys showed a high appreciation of each strategy component by staff.Conclusions.Multimodal hand hygiene promotion is feasible and effective in a low-income country. Access to handrub was critical for its success. These findings motivated the government of Mali to expand the intervention nationwide. This experience represents a significant advancement for patient safety in developing countries.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence Estimates of Latent and Acute Toxoplasma Infections in HIV+ People—Call for Action in Underprivileged Communities

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 2034
Author(s):  
Ali Rostami ◽  
Seyed Mohammad Riahi ◽  
Shayan Abdollahzadeh Sagha ◽  
Ali Taghipour ◽  
Mahdi Sepidarkish ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
World Health ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Seroprevalence Data ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

We undertook a comprehensive, systematic review of observational studies to estimate respective seroprevalences of latent and acute Toxoplasma gondii infections in HIV+ people at the global, regional and country levels; related seroprevalence to socio-economic variables and CD4+ cell counts; and assessed temporal changes in prevalence and risk factors for this group. We systematically searched international databases for seroepidemiological surveys between 1 January 1980 and 31 July 2020. We used a random effects model to calculate pooled seroprevalences with 95% confidence intervals (CI), and estimated the numbers of HIV+ people inferred to harbour latent and acute T. gondii infections (LT or AT). We grouped seroprevalence data according to the geographic regions defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) and conducted subgroup and meta-regression analyses of the data. Of a total of 4024 studies identified, 150 and 65 of them met the inclusion criteria for LT and AT in HIV+ people, respectively. The overall, pooled seroprevalences of LT and AT were 37.4% (95% CI, 33.4–41.4) and 1.3% (95% CI, 0.9–1.8%), equating to ~14.2 and 0.5 million HIV+ people, respectively. Most HIV+ people with T. gondii infections originated from Africa, and the highest seroprevalences were in low-income countries with low human development indices. Significant risk factors for toxoplasmosis in HIV+ patients included the consumption of raw/undercooked meat, frequent contact with soil, a low CD4+ T lymphocyte number (<200 cells per μL) and age. Overall, the finding of high seroprevalences of particularly latent T. gondii infection in HIV+ people in underprivileged regions of the world, such as parts of Africa, calls for preventative action. Programs that include routine serological monitoring, counselling, care, animal control and/or prophylactic treatment measures are needed to prevent severe toxoplasmosis from developing in people living with HIV infection. Our study highlights the potential importance of parasite chemoprophylaxis in resource-poor settings, particularly in low-income countries.

scholarly journals A systematic review of micro correlates of maternal mortality

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yahaya Yakubu ◽  
Norashidah Mohamed Nor ◽  
Emilia Zainal Abidin
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Maternal Mortality ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Maternal Mortality Ratio ◽  
World Health ◽  
The World ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract In the year 2000, the World Health Organization launched the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which were to be achieved in 2015. Though most of the goals were not achieved, a follow-up post 2015 development agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was launched in 2015, which are to be achieved by 2030. Maternal mortality reduction is a focal goal in both the MDGs and SDGs. Achieving the maternal mortality target in the SDGs requires multiple approaches, particularly in developing countries with high maternal mortality. Low-income developing countries rely to a great extent on macro determinants such as public health expenditure, which are spent mostly on curative health and health facilities, to improve population health. To complement the macro determinants, this study employs the systematic review technique to reveal significant micro correlates of maternal mortality. The study searched MEDLINE, PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Science Direct, and Global Index Medicus of the World Health Organization. Our search was time framed from the 1st January, 2000 to the 30th September, 2016. In the overall search result, 6758 articles were identified, out of which 33 were found to be eligible for the review. The outcome of the systematic search for relevant literature revealed a concentration of literature on the micro factors and maternal mortality in developing countries. This shows that maternal mortality and micro factors are a major issue in developing countries. The studies reviewed support the significant relationship between the micro factors and maternal mortality. This study therefore suggests that more effort should be channelled to improving the micro factors in developing countries to pave the way for the timely achievement of the SDGs’ maternal mortality ratio (MMR) target.

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