Integration of TB into child health policies in Africa’s high-burden countries: a normative analysis

Integration of paediatric TB care into decentralised child health services has the potential to reduce the large proportion of childhood TB that remains undiagnosed. We performed a review of national guidelines and policies for TB and child health to evaluate the normative integration of paediatric TB into existing child health programmes in 15 high TB burden countries in Africa. While integration is addressed in 80% of the national strategic plans for TB, the child health strategies insufficiently address TB in their plans to reduce child mortality. Emphasis needs to be put on multi-sectoral collaboration among national health programmes.

Penerapan Manajemen Terpadu Balita Sakit (MTBS) Pada Kader Posyandu Dan Masyarakat

ABSTRAK Salah satu langkah dalam pencapaian target Millenium Development Goals/MDG’s (goal ke-4) adalah menurunkan kematian anak menjadi 2/3 bagian dari tahun 1990 sampai pada 2020. Dalam mencapai target tersebut, pemerintah salah satunya menerapkan Majemen Terpadu Balita Sakit (MTBS) yaitu merupakan pendekatan keterpaduan dalam tatalaksana balita sakit yang datang berobat ke fasilitas rawat jalan. Saat ini banyak tenaga kesehatan, kader dan masyarakat yang tidak mengetahui secara menyeluruh tentang penerapan MTBS. Tujuan kegiatan pengabdian dilakukan untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan kader dalam menerapkan MTBS. Metode pelaksanaan adalah dengan pemberdayaan kader dalam penerapan MTBS sehingga dapar dilakukan upara preventif dan kuratif pada balita sakit. Hasil kegiatan menunjukkan kegiatan diikuti oleh 100% sasaran kegiatan dan peserta mampu mengikuti kegiatan sampai akhir. Kata Kunci : Manajemen Terpadu Balita Sakit, Diare, Oralit, Kader Posyandu ABSTRACT One of the steps in achieving the Millennium Development Goals / MDG's target (goal 4) is to reduce child mortality to 2/3 parts from 1990 to 2020. In achieving this target, the government is one of them implementing the Integrated Management of Sick Toddlers (MTBS), which is an integrated approach in management. sick toddlers who come for treatment at outpatient facilities. Currently, many village health workers and the community do not know thoroughly about the implementation of MTBS. The purpose of this service activity is to increase the knowledge of village health workers in implementing MTBS. The method of implementation is by empowering village health workers in the implementation of MTBS so that preventive and curative measures can be carried out for sick toddlers. The results of the activity showed that the activity was followed by 100% of the target of the activity and the participants were able to follow the activity until the end. Keywords: Integrated Management of Sick Toddlers, Diarrhea, ORS, village health worker

The African tragedy: the effect of democracy on economic growth

We estimate the effect of democracy on economic growth for the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa in comparison with other countries. We find that in contrast to other countries, democracy in Africa benefits neither GDP per capita nor total GDP. We explain the former by changes in the size of the population and the latter by changes in the age structure of the population. Both demographic changes relate to the finding that unlike in other countries, democracy does not reduce child mortality in Africa. The evidence suggests that without improvements in health, democracy puts Africa on a path toward a Malthusian trap.

The contribution of Kazan scientists to the success of the fight against child mortality

The work aims to analyze and present the contribution of scientists from Kazan medical universities and their pupils to the success of combat child mortality in Russia in the twentieth century using the historical and medical method. The most important results of the works of Kazan scientists can be considered the following: (1) the finding of underestimation of infant mortality; (2) development of methods for its statistical analysis; (3) identification of medical-statistical and social hygienic patterns of child mortality; (4) scientific substantiation of the methodology and strategy for reducing infant mortality in the USSR; (5) a comprehensive study of the problems of child mortality and substantiation of ways to reduce it in the Russian Federation in the late 20th early 21st centuries. Measures are proposed to further reduce child mortality, including a regional approach, reduction of the population's genetic load, priority implementation of antenatal and neonatal prophylaxis, prompt and full provision of treatment by the state for children with rare diseases, further development of specialized and rehabilitation assistance provided to children, intensive development of medical and social assistance.

Do Environmental Policy Stringency Promote Human Development in Developing Countries?

This article analyses the effect of multilaterals environmental agreements (MEAs), the Ministry of Environment and Environmental Democracy on human development in developing countries. The sample comprises 72 countries and the data cover the period from 1995 to 2017. The analysis is carried out in cross-section and the estimation technique is that of double least squares. The results show that MEAs, the ministry of environment and environmental democracy increase the human development index. The results also show that MEAs reduce child mortality, income inequality, and improve secondary school completion rates. Finally, our results indicate that climate change, level of development and geographical location impact on human development in developing countries. We therefore recommend that these countries promote environmental policy stringency while improving their level of governance.

Implementation of the Simple Multi Attribute Rating Technique Method (SMART) in Determining Toddler Growth

Toddler nutritional status is an important factor in efforts to reduce child mortality. The development of community nutrition can be monitored through the results of recording and reporting of community nutrition improvement programs reflected in the results of weighing infants and toddlers every month at the Pos Pelayanan Terpadu (Posyandu/ Integrated Service Post) , where these efforts aim to maintain and improve health and prevent and cope with the emergence of public health problems, especially aimed at toddlers. However, in carrying out the health service activities of Medical Officers, faced with an important problem that is still difficult in providing information related to the results of monitoring the growth and development of infants, because information on growth and development of infants owned is obtained from the data collection done manually such as; make records and calculations to find out the condition of a toddler declared good, less, or bad. Implementation of the SMART method in Toddler's growth and development, this method can be used based on the weights and criteria that have been determined. The criteria used are based on the Anthropometric index assessment criteria. The results of the analysis are the results of ranking the greatest value to be used as the material in the decision-making process.

Feasibility of implementing Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses through Mobile Technology

Background The Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) strategy was launched by WHO and partners in 1995 to reduce child mortality by enhancing frontline health workers' (FHWs) ability to diagnose and manage childhood illnesses, and strengthen overall health systems. However, although IMCI is associated with decreased child mortality, numerous studies have shown its impact has been limited due to persistent barriers to implementation. Methods We developed a digitized version of IMCI (eIMCI) using Android technology to overcome implementation problems, including poor protocol compliance, lengthy trainings, paper-based data collection, and gaps in the referral system. The feasibility and efficacy of eIMCI was assessed through a mixed-methods pilot study encompassing baseline and end-line surveys, interviews, and Focus Group Discussions, in a low-resource rural district of Punjab, Pakistan. During the 8 weeks of deployment, a total of 1,978 children were enrolled in the eIMCI application by 10 participating FHWs, and 47 electronic referrals were generated. Results Preliminary outcomes showed reduced disease occurrence (for example, diarrhea decreased from 48% at baseline to 29% at endline), increased adherence to IMCI protocol, and strengthened health system linkages (facility referrals increased from 5% at baseline to 45% at endline). FHWs reported enhanced performance, as well as an improved community response to their services. Discussion Indicating the feasibility and efficacy of eIMCI deployment in a low-resource setting, evidence from the pilot demonstrates the benefit of digitizing the IMCI protocol. eIMCI is a digital health solution with the potential to significantly reduce child mortality and improve service delivery and performance of FHWs. Key messages eIMCI is a feasible solution for the implementation of IMCI strategy in developing countries and demonstrates increased compliance and enhanced performance by the frontline health workers. Implementation of eIMCI can result in a significant reduction in child morbidity and mortality via timely referrals of patients and reduced disease occurrence.