BACKGROUND At present,China has become the country with the largest number of individuals with diabetes mellitus(DM)in the world,with a total of approximately 140 million patients,the majority of whom have type 2 DM(T...BACKGROUND At present,China has become the country with the largest number of individuals with diabetes mellitus(DM)in the world,with a total of approximately 140 million patients,the majority of whom have type 2 DM(T2DM).Based on conven-tional nursing methods,community home care has important clinical significance in controlling blood sugar and disease progression.AIM To explore the impact of community public health nursing on treatment effect,health cognition,and self-management in patients with T2DM.METHODS One hundred patients with T2DM were selected as the research subjects.The patients were divided into either a conventional nursing group or community nursing(CN)group using the random number table method.The conventional nursing group(50 cases)received routine care,while the CN group(50 cases)received community public health care in addition to routine care as that for the conventional nursing group.The rate of excellent and good blood glucose control,fasting blood glucose before and after care,2-h postprandial blood glucose,health cognition,and self-management ability,and patient satisfaction were compared between the two groups.RESULTS The CN group had a higher rate of excellent blood sugar control than the conventional nursing group(88%vs 70%,P<0.05).Before care,there was no significant difference in fasting blood glucose or 2-h postprandial blood glucose between the two groups of patients(P>0.05).After nursing,fasting blood glucose and 2-h postprandial blood glucose were reduced to varying degrees in both groups,and both blood glucose levels in the CN group were lower than those of the conventional nursing group(P<0.05).Compared with the scores before care,the cognitive level score for diabetes and self-management ability score improved after care in both groups.The cognitive level and self-management ability of patients in the CN group were higher than those of the conventional nursing group(P<0.05).The overall satisfaction of the CN group was better than that of the conventional nursing group(98%vs 86%,P<0.05).CONCLUSION Community public health care based on conventional care of T2DM can achieve better blood sugar control,and improve patients’health cognitive level and self-management ability.展开更多
This review aims to analyze the development and impact of Artificial Intelligence(AI)in the context of Saudi Arabia’s public healthcare system to fulfill Vision 2030 objectives.It is extensively devoted to AI technol...This review aims to analyze the development and impact of Artificial Intelligence(AI)in the context of Saudi Arabia’s public healthcare system to fulfill Vision 2030 objectives.It is extensively devoted to AI technology deployment relevant to disease management,healthcare delivery,epidemiology,and policy-making.However,its AI is culturally sensitive and ethically grounded in Islam.Based on the PRISMA framework,an SLR evaluated primary academic literature,cases,and practices of Saudi Arabia’s AI implementation in the public healthcare sector.Instead,it categorizes prior research based on how AI can work,the issues it poses,and its implications for the Kingdom’s healthcare system.The Saudi Arabian context analyses show that AI has increased the discreet prediction of diseases,resource management,and monitoring outbreaks during mass congregations such as hajj.Therefore,the study outlines critical areas for defining the potential for artificial intelligence and areas for enhancing digital development to support global healthcare progress.The key themes emerging from the review include Saudi Arabia:(i)the effectiveness of AI with human interaction for sustainable health services;(ii)conditions and quality control to enhance the quality of health care services using AI;(iii)environmental factors as influencing factors for public health care;(iv)Artificial Intelligence,and advanced decision-making technology for Middle Eastern health care systems.For policymakers,healthcare managers,and researchers who will engage with AI innovation,the review proclaims that AI applications should respect the country’s socio-cultural and ethical practices and pave the way for sustainable healthcare provision.More empirical research is needed on the implementation issues with AI,creating culturally appropriate models of AI,and finding new applications of AI to address the increasing demand for healthcare services in Saudi Arabia.展开更多
Objective: To study the public health Emergency Operations Centers(EOCs)in the US, the European Union, the UK and Australia, and summarize the good practice for the improvement of National Health Emergency Response Co...Objective: To study the public health Emergency Operations Centers(EOCs)in the US, the European Union, the UK and Australia, and summarize the good practice for the improvement of National Health Emergency Response Command Center in Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission. Methods: Literature review was conducted to explore the EOCs of selected countries. Results: The study focused on EOC function, organizational structure, human resources and information management. The selected EOCs had the basic EOC functions of coordinating and commanding as well as the public health related functions such as monitoring the situation, risk assessment, and epidemiological briefings. The organizational structures of the EOCs were standardized, scalable and flexible. Incident Command System was the widely applied organizational structure with a strong preference. The EOCs were managed by a unit of emergency management during routine time and surge staff were engaged upon emergencies. The selected EOCs had clear information management framework including information collection, assessment and dissemination. Conclusions: The performance of National Health Emergency Response Command Center can be improved by learning from the good practice of the selected EOCs, including setting clear functions, standardizing the organizational structure, enhancing the human resource capacity and strengthening information management.展开更多
Background: Recent studies suggested that vitamin D deficiency among children is widespread worldwide. Most of the Asian countries are suffering from high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, especially in children. Ho...Background: Recent studies suggested that vitamin D deficiency among children is widespread worldwide. Most of the Asian countries are suffering from high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, especially in children. However, the vitamin D deficiency of Bangladeshi children has not been investigated yet. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among children in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed. Children aged 0 month to 16 years attended Pediatrics’ clinics with minor illness were conveniently recruited. After obtaining informed written consent, venous blood was taken and serum 25(OH)D levels were determined by direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Descriptive statistics were performed for age, sex, biochemical parameters. Socio-economic status (SES) was estimated using a wealth index, producing a weighted score. Scores were categorized into quintiles, with category 1 representing the poorest and category 5 the richest. Serum 25(OH)D was categorized: deficient as Results: 31.88% children of 0 - 1 year had deficient serum 25(OH)D level and 52.17% children had insufficient level. Among 2 - 5 years’ group, 38.16% were deficient and 50% were insufficient. Among the 6 - 11 years group, 41.02% were deficient and 52.56% were insufficient. Among 12 - 16 years group, 46.75% were deficient and 51.95% were insufficient. That means, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency and insufficiency rate is found very high among Bangladeshi children. Conclusions: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among children in Bangladesh is high. The study recommended that vitamin D supplementation in Bangladeshi children should be formally launched from first day of birth up to adolescence.展开更多
Objective:To compare perceived ill-health and health seeking behavior between two communities affected by the large Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric project in central Lao People’s Democratic Republic(PDR).Methods: Two diff...Objective:To compare perceived ill-health and health seeking behavior between two communities affected by the large Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric project in central Lao People’s Democratic Republic(PDR).Methods: Two different affected areas;Nakai plateaubeing remote,sparcely populated and mountainous,and Xe Bang Fai lowland plains,more densely populated and comparatively affluent were included.Data were obtained from two cross-sectional household-based health and socio-economic surveys.Results:We found pronounced differences in the frequency of self-reported fever,cough,headache and myalgia according to location.On the Nakai plateau,45.1%of the individuals with ill-health report(recall period;2 weeks) went to a local health volunteer compared to only 7.2%in the Xe Bang Fai area(P 【 0.001 ).In Nakai,there were disproportionately more illiterates seeking help from local health volunteers when compared to those who attended at least primary schooling(49.2%versus 17.5%,P 【0.01 ).Self-medication with antimalarials was more common in Xe Bang Fai than on Nakai(32.3%versus 7.0%,P 【 0.001).The mean amount of money spent per health consultation was US $ 1.7 in Nakai and US $ 7.2 in Xe Bang Fai.Conclusion:The observed differences in self-reported ill-health and health seeking behavior among these two Lao communities need to be considered when implementing setting-specific mitigation measures as part of the public health action plan of the Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric project.展开更多
Objective: The Okinawa prefectural government conducted enhanced surveillance for the Sixth Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival, with participation of more than 5300 visitors from abroad, many of whom were Okinawan or of Ok...Objective: The Okinawa prefectural government conducted enhanced surveillance for the Sixth Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival, with participation of more than 5300 visitors from abroad, many of whom were Okinawan or of Okinawan descent, for early detection of Zika virus disease and other potential public health threat outbreaks. Method: Enhanced surveillance conducted from 12 October through 13 November involved four surveillance systems, (Nursery) School Absenteeism Surveillance system ((N)SASSy), Prescription Surveillance (PS), and Official Syndromic Surveillance (OSS), each of them operates routinely, in addition to case-based and sentinel surveillance under the Infectious Diseases Control Law as Official National Surveillance of Infectious Diseases (ONSID). This enhanced surveillance was conducted for analysis and evaluation, with intensive information sharing among concerned parties. Result: We performed the enhanced surveillance for 33 days from 12 October through 13 November. Information from enhanced surveillance was analyzed and evaluated, and eventually summarized as a daily report. There has been one rubella case at an elementary school in Okinawa City on 20 October and a measles case at an elementary school in Uruma City on 2 November. Those two cases were registered into (N)SASSy on a timely basis. The public health center investigated them quickly, and the measles case was denied later because symptoms did not satisfy with case definition. Discussion: We regard enhanced surveillance as useful to confirm events that might demand a public health response. Moreover, the related including public health centers or medical institutions confirmed the situation as valuable for the administrative structure. However, because almost all (nursery) schools or pharmacies are closed during successive holidays, outbreaks that occur on such days cannot be recognized on a timely basis. More sensitive surveillance for such days, with better preparations for ambulance transfer and at emergency departments in hospitals remains as a challenge for future work.展开更多
Investing in cryptocurrencies has become quite popular among investors as well as young people,students,and a large segment of society in recent years[1].The number of investors is increasing day by day,while its impa...Investing in cryptocurrencies has become quite popular among investors as well as young people,students,and a large segment of society in recent years[1].The number of investors is increasing day by day,while its impact on daily life is becoming more and more visible[1,2].Cryptocurrency investments have become among the most popular discussion topics in any environment[2].The financial data has shown us that the number of such investors has exceeded 320 million,while the cryptocurrency market reached close to 4 trillion dollars in 2021.The leading cryptocurrency trading countries are the US with 46 million.展开更多
As an anecdote to the one-size-fits-all curriculum, differentiation presents a pedagogical opportunity to accommodate learner variance. Differentiated instruction typically aims to address variance in at least one of ...As an anecdote to the one-size-fits-all curriculum, differentiation presents a pedagogical opportunity to accommodate learner variance. Differentiated instruction typically aims to address variance in at least one of the following areas: 1) student readiness;2) student learning profiles;and 3) student interests. While each aim is fundamentally important to effectively differentiating instruction, the purpose of this descriptive best practice paper was to present a simple approach for addressing variance in individual student interest in a university setting. Participants in this teaching activity included 175 students enrolled in one of two undergraduate-level courses in the Department of Public Health at a large private university in the United States. Each participant was asked to select a book related to his or her chosen career path and that aligned with a topic covered in the course. Students selected the book of their choice and submitted the title to the principle investigator who reviewed each selection. Students were given approximately six weeks to read their selected books and write a brief book report. Participants completed a brief online survey assessing the value of this teaching approach. Descriptive analyses indicate this teaching activity was widely considered to be meaningful and beneficial, supporting the inclusion of differentiated instructional approaches at the university level.展开更多
As the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy continues to be on the rise, the Chronic Care Model (CCM) offers a transformative, patient-focused approach for efficient diabetic retinopathy care, emphasizing the need for u...As the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy continues to be on the rise, the Chronic Care Model (CCM) offers a transformative, patient-focused approach for efficient diabetic retinopathy care, emphasizing the need for urgent and innovative strategies in the United States. The model integrates community resources, healthcare organizations, self-management support, delivery system design, decision support, and clinical information systems. Addressing challenges and solutions, the model emphasizes proactive and preventive measures, collaborative multidisciplinary care, technological integration, and overcoming resistance to change. This paper proposes the utilization of the Chronic Care Model (CCM) as a possible public health framework for comprehensive management of diabetic retinopathy in the United States. Implementing the CCM offers a comprehensive approach to diabetic retinopathy care, addressing both individual and systemic factors, essential for improving public health outcomes.展开更多
Introduction: The study revealed that many healthcare professional students begin their academic studies with positive and high expectations towards interprofessional collaborative studies. Unfortunately, students los...Introduction: The study revealed that many healthcare professional students begin their academic studies with positive and high expectations towards interprofessional collaborative studies. Unfortunately, students lose interest if their initial expectations are not met with consistent opportunities to enhance their communication skills and better understand the different healthcare professions. The study aimed to explore health science and public health students’ attitudes toward IPE. The participants’ backgrounds and demographics were used as the variations for the study. Methods: A pre-post semi-quantitative anonymous survey was designed to assess health science and public health undergraduate students’ attitudes toward IPE. The reason for this design was to capture the participants’ attitudes toward IPE at the start of a semester when they had no academic exposure to IPE. Qualtrics was used to collect the research data. A valid and reliable scale was used to measure attitudes toward IPE. A post-survey was included to measure the participants’ change in attitude toward IPE during the semester. The goal was to measure the IPE curriculum effectiveness. There were 21 survey questions. The questions were divided into four validated subscales. The first seven questions (Questions 1 - 7) pertained to the participants’ demographics s, such as gender, age, race, ethnicity, major field of study, and prior education. Questions 8, 9, 16, & 20 were designed to determine how the participants perceived their roles and responsibilities in their future healthcare careers. Each IPE attitude question’s central tendency and demographic variations were measured. The correlation between demographics and IPE attitudes was measured. Results: The pre-survey had 192 participants, and the post-survey had 97 participants. The pre-survey had 87% of participants in the age group 17 - 25 years, while the post-survey had 82.5% in the same age group. Only 5.7% of the participants were 36 years or older in the pre-survey and 9.3% in the post-survey. The participants were 80.70% female in the pre-survey and 85.6% in the post-survey. The largest healthcare career field concentration was nursing, with 42.7% and 45.4% in the pre- and post-surveys. The other three larger career fields were healthcare administration, community health education, and physician assistant. The participants’ attitudes toward learning with different healthcare career students and becoming more effective members of a healthcare team increased from 4.36 (SD = 0.13) to 4.40 (SD = 0.17). Two negative IPE attitude questions showed an increased value: 1) The function of nursing therapists is mainly to provide support for doctors (3.51, SD = 0.19 to 3.12, SD = 0.24, p-value ≤ 0.004) and 2) Clinical and healthcare problem-solving skills could only be learned with students from the same career field (3.73, SD = 0.13 to 3.31, SD = 0.24, p-value ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Interprofessional Education in an academic setting is essential to help healthcare students prepare and succeed in their future healthcare careers. The study results show that health science and public health students understand IPE and value academic exposure to the IPE process during their studies. Academic healthcare programs should continue integrating the IPE learning model and content throughout the student’s academic journey. The variations in IPE attitude do not significantly vary based on demographics and healthcare career fields. This study only represents a sample size of the many healthcare careers. Interprofessional communication and collaboration are essential to the future healthcare delivery challenges we face. For this reason, IPE should be integrated into healthcare education for all health science and public health students. It is recommended that more research should be done on creative curriculum design to get students more engaged in various healthcare IPE learning activities.展开更多
Summary： Data communication and sharing of five level network of Public Health Information System, i.e. nation, province, district （city）, county, and town, as far as to the countryside level were described, and ho...Summary： Data communication and sharing of five level network of Public Health Information System, i.e. nation, province, district （city）, county, and town, as far as to the countryside level were described, and how to apply the three solutions, i.e. Access VPN, Intranet VPN, and Extranet VPN of VPN technique to achieve the appropriation of the public network was also presented.展开更多
Background: In the context of the fight against HIV, a lack of skills in monitoring and evaluating the personnel in charge of activities has been identified at the national level. It was the subject of a priority axis...Background: In the context of the fight against HIV, a lack of skills in monitoring and evaluating the personnel in charge of activities has been identified at the national level. It was the subject of a priority axis of the national plan for monitoring and evaluating the fight against HIV (2006-2010) that was aimed at strengthening the capacities of actors in this area. To increase the critical mass of competent human resources in the short term, the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) of Côte d’Ivoire organized monitoring and evaluation training sessions for healthcare professionals from 2011 to 2016. Methods: A single case study with multiple levels of analysis was carried out, combining a qualitative survey and a literature review. An evaluation was carried out six months after each training session. In addition, the results of the pre- and post-tests and of the daily and final evaluations that accompanied the various training sessions were used to provide further information. The qualitative data collected were analyzed using INVIVO 15 software. Results: Some 89 health professionals (69% men and 31% women) working at the national level (51% at the central level, including 58% in health programs) and in development partner agencies (37%) participated in this capacity building program. Most participants were senior health managers (56%), data managers (23%), and statisticians and computer scientists (10%). Almost all the trainings were financed by 16 technical and financial partners (85%), mainly the MEASURE Evaluation project (27%). Conclusion: M&E training, despite all its imperfections, has made it possible to identify M&E training needs at the national level and to increase the critical mass of national skills and to have some culture in M&E.展开更多
Background: Staff absenteeism is a global challenge in health care service delivery that has not spared any country. Aim: This was to assess the factors contributing to staff absenteeism in public health facilities in...Background: Staff absenteeism is a global challenge in health care service delivery that has not spared any country. Aim: This was to assess the factors contributing to staff absenteeism in public health facilities in Bushenyi District of Uganda. Method: This was a cross sectional study conducted for a period of 3 months in which data were collected using a questionnaire and interviews. Results: Majority of participants were females (66.4%) which 50% in the age of 31 - 45 years. The study showed that residing outside the health facility (42.1%) i.e. walking distances over 10 km to get to work was a challenge. Family conflicts, overstay in one workstation without rotations to other major health facilities and drug abuse as well as inadequate supervision were major contributing factors to absenteeism (P Conclusion: Staff absenteeism in rural communities is a major challenge that needs a multi-sectorial approach for its effective management, thus showing a need to revise policy in the health sector.展开更多
<b><span>Aim:</span></b><span> Public health professionals focus on both downstream (individual) and upstream (population-level) interventions to reduce sodium consumption and prevent sod...<b><span>Aim:</span></b><span> Public health professionals focus on both downstream (individual) and upstream (population-level) interventions to reduce sodium consumption and prevent sodium-related chronic diseases. Effective upstream interventions specifically aimed at reducing dietary sodium intake include the implementation of comprehensive nutrition standards that restrict the amount of sodium contain<span>ed in foods available for purchase. <span>The aim of this work was</span> to identify sought-after foods that did not meet the Philadelphia Nutrition Standards’ sodium limits and reformulate those foods to be standards-compliant</span> and consumer-acceptable. <b>Subject and Methods:</b> Two foods were reformulated for <span>compliancy</span> with the Philadelphia Nutrition Standards’ sodium limits and consumer acceptability: the hoagie roll and soft pretzel. Reformulation included sensory testing and engaging potential manufacturing partners to investigate products’ commercial potential. <b>Results: </b>While hoagie roll reformulation led to a local company manufacturing and selling the reformulated product, soft pr<span>etzel reformulation stalled due to lack of consumer acceptability of the reformulated product. Salt contributes desirable characteristics in the texture, taste, and appearance of the soft pretzel, the absence of which consumers found unacceptable. <b>Conclusion:</b> Product reformulation holds great potential to create lower-sodium foods that otherwise have all of the characteristics of the higher-sodium </span></span><span>“</span><span>original</span><span>”</span><span> products but requires an understanding of the role of salt in produ</span><span>ct recipes. Reducing salt without considering its multiple functions in food may result in a product that is unacceptable or even unsafe. A simple four-step tool can help public health practitioners evaluate the extent to which products are suitable for reformulation.</span>展开更多
Cervical cancer is a serious health concern in Uganda. Early screening and detection certainly improves chances of survival and treatment outcome. Sound knowledge and positive attitudes highly influence acceptability ...Cervical cancer is a serious health concern in Uganda. Early screening and detection certainly improves chances of survival and treatment outcome. Sound knowledge and positive attitudes highly influence acceptability and uptake of screening methods. This descriptive cross-sectional study determines knowledge and attitudes towards Cervical Cancer screening amongst female out-patients aged 15 - 49 years, attending Health Centre IIIs in Oyam District, Northern Uganda. A systematically obtained sample of 445 respondents was interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires and focused group discussions. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS 16.0. Directed content analysis of themes of transcribed qualitative data was conducted manually. Of the 445 respondents, only 62.7% (n = 279) had heard of cervical cancer amongst which only 35.1% (n = 85) had been screened;13.7% (n = 34) did not know what screening was;3.7% (n = 9) were not sure and 5.8% (n = 14) knew it as removal of the cervix. Only 39.1% (n = 174) believed that cervical cancer can be prevented. There is still limited knowledge and lots of misconceptions about cervical cancer screening in the communities, which requires massive sensitization of the population at risk to change negative attitudes and maximize acceptability to screening methods.展开更多
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship and experiences of occupational health nurses (OHNs) and related departments in project development of mental health care for primary treatment in the...Purpose: The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship and experiences of occupational health nurses (OHNs) and related departments in project development of mental health care for primary treatment in the Japanese occupational health setting. Method: A total of 235 OHNs who are members of the Japan Academy of Occupational Health Nursing were sent an anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey. The questionnaire included items on the following: the OHN’s background, whether the OHN had experience in project development, the communication between the associated departments, the Japanese version of the Work Engagement Scale (UWES-J), occupational assessments, workplace assessments, and the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) for health promotion in companies and the OHN’s working environment. We performed logistic regression analysis to examine the relationship between experience and these harmonious relationships with other associated departments. Result: Responses from 61 OHNs (valid response rate: 25.9%) were analyzed. The mean number of years of service as an OHN was 18.9, and 82% of respondents had experience in project development. The logistic analysis further revealed that OHNs who had experience in project development of mental health care usually had a harmonious relationship with other associated departments. Conclusion: To promote mental health care for workers, OHNs have the capability to create individual and workplace assessments, enhance their work engagement, and make further improvements to their working environment. .展开更多
Abstract： UHC （Universal Health Coverage） is at the center of the Sustainable Development Agenda. In this study, the authors made an evaluation of the indicators allowing quantification of the impact of health cove...Abstract： UHC （Universal Health Coverage） is at the center of the Sustainable Development Agenda. In this study, the authors made an evaluation of the indicators allowing quantification of the impact of health coverage schemes on patients, applied in 4 sub-Saharan Africa countries： Rwanda, Burundi, the DRC （Democratic Republic of Congo） and Mall After an analysis of potential health coverage indicators, the most relevant ones were calculated on the basis of patient administrative and health insurance data, collected via OpenClinic GA, an HIMS （health information management system） used in 8 sub-Saharan hospitals during the period 2010-2016. The results show that the PHSC （patient health services coverage） rate is highest （81.5%-92.7%） in the 2 hospitals of Rwanda and in 2 hospitals of Burundi （37.7%-77.7%）. The PHSP （patient health service payment） rate as the proportion of costs paid by the patient versus total health service costs is below the 25% threshold recommended by WHO only for the 2 hospitals in Rwanda. The POOP （patient out-of-pocket） payment is below the threshold of 180USD per patient per year for all hospitals. The HIEXs （health insurance expenditures） are funded by the university private insurance （86% of expenses covered） in 2 university teaching hospitals in DRC, by CBHI （community based health insurance） （69%） in 2 hospitals in Rwanda, by the free care policy （77%） in 2 hospitals in Burundi and by the SHI （social health insurance） （100%） in the 2 hospitals in Mali. PHSC in the 8 reference hospitals reflects the national trend towards UHC in each country. With this study, we demonstrate the possibility to assess the degree of UHC in developing countries, by a methodology based on indicators calculated via information extraction from routine data in electronic health records.展开更多
Toilet facilities in public places are a necessity and are supposed to be present in any public place where people visit. Despite the importance of toilet facilities in public places, there is limited access to toilet...Toilet facilities in public places are a necessity and are supposed to be present in any public place where people visit. Despite the importance of toilet facilities in public places, there is limited access to toilet facilities in public places in Sub-Saharan Africa and this has been a persistent issue. Given that limited studies have been done on availability and use of toilets in public places, this study aimed to fill this research gap. To achieve the objective of the study, a cross-sectional study was used to select participants from the study site. The sample size was 400 after adjustment for non-response. Results from the study showed promising as 95% of public places had a toilet and water for hand washing. However, most of the toilet facilities lacked soap. Toilets in offices and hospitals were perceived to be cleaner and of good quality compared to those in markets and travel agencies. Results also showed that participants hardly used toilets in markets and travel agencies. Toilet facilities in offices and churches were most used, as office toilets were rated clean and of good quality by the participants. The study recommends the need for routine checks by the council to ensure the presence of toilet facilities in public places and the need to sensitise business owners on the importance of having and maintaining toilet facilities in their business establishments.展开更多
Globally,there have been multiple public health emergencies in recent decades.High rates of morbidity,occasionally mortality,and economic instability are usually associated with pandemics.One of the epidemics that has...Globally,there have been multiple public health emergencies in recent decades.High rates of morbidity,occasionally mortality,and economic instability are usually associated with pandemics.One of the epidemics that has significantly increased morbidity and mortality worldwide is the human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)and acquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS)pandemic.HIV has a disproportionately negative impact on key populations.Strong leadership,effective communication,and sound science are necessary for public health emergency(PHE)responses to be successful.These three PHE response pllars are also essential for bridging the HIV response gap among key populations in the setting of restrictive laws.In this review,we explored the importance of these three pillars of successful PHEs responses,and how they are essential to closing the gap in the HIV response among key populations.Leaders must make decisions and instil a sense of authority in the populace during PHEs to foster trust and confidence.Leaders should base their choices on scientific evidence.Effective communication during PHEs should be proactive,polite,imaginative,innovative,and constructive.To address gaps in the HIV response among key populations,leaders must create a supportive environment for effective communication and scientific research,communication should be used to raise awareness of HIV and to dispel stigma and discrimination,while science should provide evidence of efficacy and effectiveness of interventions amongkey populations.展开更多
UNICEF, UNAIDS and USAID developed a global strategic framework to guide responses to care and protect orphans and other vulnerable children in the context of HIV/AIDS. In the developing world, about 132 million peopl...UNICEF, UNAIDS and USAID developed a global strategic framework to guide responses to care and protect orphans and other vulnerable children in the context of HIV/AIDS. In the developing world, about 132 million people have lost one or both parents due to the AIDS pandemic and 25 million children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS in 2010. The HIV prevalence in Cameroon is estimated at 5.1%. As of 2010, there were 304,000 deaths due to AIDS in Cameroon. Out of 1,200,000 orphans and vulnerable children in Cameroon in 2010, 300,000 were AIDS orphans. The HIV/AIDS burden impacts child survival, growth and development in the traditional African setting. With so many orphans in the population, along with many vulnerable children, strategies must be developed to respond more effectively to their critical needs. This study provides a model for OVC care and support in Cameroon. The model was developed out of extensive work using a participatory approach involving traditional, administrative and health stakeholders on OVC in Yaounde I and Yaounde VI Councils, Nanga Eboko Health District, Isangelle, Ekondo Titi, and Bafaka-Balue communities in Cameroon. Consultancy services with PLAN Cameroon, the Pan African Institute for Development-West Africa coupled with facilitation of many training workshops on OVC with Save the orphans Foundation, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Public Health and working with the National AIDS Control Committee. The essential components of a holistic framework for the care of OVC have been identified. A public health model for the care of OVC and a mechanism for their identification and a referral system for testing OVC for HIV are proposed. Through this model, a mechanism for the effective holistic care of OVC and collaboration is enhanced.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND At present,China has become the country with the largest number of individuals with diabetes mellitus(DM)in the world,with a total of approximately 140 million patients,the majority of whom have type 2 DM(T2DM).Based on conven-tional nursing methods,community home care has important clinical significance in controlling blood sugar and disease progression.AIM To explore the impact of community public health nursing on treatment effect,health cognition,and self-management in patients with T2DM.METHODS One hundred patients with T2DM were selected as the research subjects.The patients were divided into either a conventional nursing group or community nursing(CN)group using the random number table method.The conventional nursing group(50 cases)received routine care,while the CN group(50 cases)received community public health care in addition to routine care as that for the conventional nursing group.The rate of excellent and good blood glucose control,fasting blood glucose before and after care,2-h postprandial blood glucose,health cognition,and self-management ability,and patient satisfaction were compared between the two groups.RESULTS The CN group had a higher rate of excellent blood sugar control than the conventional nursing group(88%vs 70%,P<0.05).Before care,there was no significant difference in fasting blood glucose or 2-h postprandial blood glucose between the two groups of patients(P>0.05).After nursing,fasting blood glucose and 2-h postprandial blood glucose were reduced to varying degrees in both groups,and both blood glucose levels in the CN group were lower than those of the conventional nursing group(P<0.05).Compared with the scores before care,the cognitive level score for diabetes and self-management ability score improved after care in both groups.The cognitive level and self-management ability of patients in the CN group were higher than those of the conventional nursing group(P<0.05).The overall satisfaction of the CN group was better than that of the conventional nursing group(98%vs 86%,P<0.05).CONCLUSION Community public health care based on conventional care of T2DM can achieve better blood sugar control,and improve patients’health cognitive level and self-management ability.
基金funded by the Scientific ResearchDeanship at theUniversity ofHa’il-Saudi Arabia through project number-RG-23251.
文摘This review aims to analyze the development and impact of Artificial Intelligence(AI)in the context of Saudi Arabia’s public healthcare system to fulfill Vision 2030 objectives.It is extensively devoted to AI technology deployment relevant to disease management,healthcare delivery,epidemiology,and policy-making.However,its AI is culturally sensitive and ethically grounded in Islam.Based on the PRISMA framework,an SLR evaluated primary academic literature,cases,and practices of Saudi Arabia’s AI implementation in the public healthcare sector.Instead,it categorizes prior research based on how AI can work,the issues it poses,and its implications for the Kingdom’s healthcare system.The Saudi Arabian context analyses show that AI has increased the discreet prediction of diseases,resource management,and monitoring outbreaks during mass congregations such as hajj.Therefore,the study outlines critical areas for defining the potential for artificial intelligence and areas for enhancing digital development to support global healthcare progress.The key themes emerging from the review include Saudi Arabia:(i)the effectiveness of AI with human interaction for sustainable health services;(ii)conditions and quality control to enhance the quality of health care services using AI;(iii)environmental factors as influencing factors for public health care;(iv)Artificial Intelligence,and advanced decision-making technology for Middle Eastern health care systems.For policymakers,healthcare managers,and researchers who will engage with AI innovation,the review proclaims that AI applications should respect the country’s socio-cultural and ethical practices and pave the way for sustainable healthcare provision.More empirical research is needed on the implementation issues with AI,creating culturally appropriate models of AI,and finding new applications of AI to address the increasing demand for healthcare services in Saudi Arabia.
文摘Objective: To study the public health Emergency Operations Centers(EOCs)in the US, the European Union, the UK and Australia, and summarize the good practice for the improvement of National Health Emergency Response Command Center in Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission. Methods: Literature review was conducted to explore the EOCs of selected countries. Results: The study focused on EOC function, organizational structure, human resources and information management. The selected EOCs had the basic EOC functions of coordinating and commanding as well as the public health related functions such as monitoring the situation, risk assessment, and epidemiological briefings. The organizational structures of the EOCs were standardized, scalable and flexible. Incident Command System was the widely applied organizational structure with a strong preference. The EOCs were managed by a unit of emergency management during routine time and surge staff were engaged upon emergencies. The selected EOCs had clear information management framework including information collection, assessment and dissemination. Conclusions: The performance of National Health Emergency Response Command Center can be improved by learning from the good practice of the selected EOCs, including setting clear functions, standardizing the organizational structure, enhancing the human resource capacity and strengthening information management.
文摘Background: Recent studies suggested that vitamin D deficiency among children is widespread worldwide. Most of the Asian countries are suffering from high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, especially in children. However, the vitamin D deficiency of Bangladeshi children has not been investigated yet. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among children in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed. Children aged 0 month to 16 years attended Pediatrics’ clinics with minor illness were conveniently recruited. After obtaining informed written consent, venous blood was taken and serum 25(OH)D levels were determined by direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Descriptive statistics were performed for age, sex, biochemical parameters. Socio-economic status (SES) was estimated using a wealth index, producing a weighted score. Scores were categorized into quintiles, with category 1 representing the poorest and category 5 the richest. Serum 25(OH)D was categorized: deficient as Results: 31.88% children of 0 - 1 year had deficient serum 25(OH)D level and 52.17% children had insufficient level. Among 2 - 5 years’ group, 38.16% were deficient and 50% were insufficient. Among the 6 - 11 years group, 41.02% were deficient and 52.56% were insufficient. Among 12 - 16 years group, 46.75% were deficient and 51.95% were insufficient. That means, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency and insufficiency rate is found very high among Bangladeshi children. Conclusions: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among children in Bangladesh is high. The study recommended that vitamin D supplementation in Bangladeshi children should be formally launched from first day of birth up to adolescence.
基金financial support was granted by the Swiss National Science Foundationthe Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation(projects no.3270B0 - 110020 to SS and PO and no.PPOOB - 102883 to TEE and JU)
文摘Objective:To compare perceived ill-health and health seeking behavior between two communities affected by the large Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric project in central Lao People’s Democratic Republic(PDR).Methods: Two different affected areas;Nakai plateaubeing remote,sparcely populated and mountainous,and Xe Bang Fai lowland plains,more densely populated and comparatively affluent were included.Data were obtained from two cross-sectional household-based health and socio-economic surveys.Results:We found pronounced differences in the frequency of self-reported fever,cough,headache and myalgia according to location.On the Nakai plateau,45.1%of the individuals with ill-health report(recall period;2 weeks) went to a local health volunteer compared to only 7.2%in the Xe Bang Fai area(P 【 0.001 ).In Nakai,there were disproportionately more illiterates seeking help from local health volunteers when compared to those who attended at least primary schooling(49.2%versus 17.5%,P 【0.01 ).Self-medication with antimalarials was more common in Xe Bang Fai than on Nakai(32.3%versus 7.0%,P 【 0.001).The mean amount of money spent per health consultation was US $ 1.7 in Nakai and US $ 7.2 in Xe Bang Fai.Conclusion:The observed differences in self-reported ill-health and health seeking behavior among these two Lao communities need to be considered when implementing setting-specific mitigation measures as part of the public health action plan of the Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric project.
文摘Objective: The Okinawa prefectural government conducted enhanced surveillance for the Sixth Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival, with participation of more than 5300 visitors from abroad, many of whom were Okinawan or of Okinawan descent, for early detection of Zika virus disease and other potential public health threat outbreaks. Method: Enhanced surveillance conducted from 12 October through 13 November involved four surveillance systems, (Nursery) School Absenteeism Surveillance system ((N)SASSy), Prescription Surveillance (PS), and Official Syndromic Surveillance (OSS), each of them operates routinely, in addition to case-based and sentinel surveillance under the Infectious Diseases Control Law as Official National Surveillance of Infectious Diseases (ONSID). This enhanced surveillance was conducted for analysis and evaluation, with intensive information sharing among concerned parties. Result: We performed the enhanced surveillance for 33 days from 12 October through 13 November. Information from enhanced surveillance was analyzed and evaluated, and eventually summarized as a daily report. There has been one rubella case at an elementary school in Okinawa City on 20 October and a measles case at an elementary school in Uruma City on 2 November. Those two cases were registered into (N)SASSy on a timely basis. The public health center investigated them quickly, and the measles case was denied later because symptoms did not satisfy with case definition. Discussion: We regard enhanced surveillance as useful to confirm events that might demand a public health response. Moreover, the related including public health centers or medical institutions confirmed the situation as valuable for the administrative structure. However, because almost all (nursery) schools or pharmacies are closed during successive holidays, outbreaks that occur on such days cannot be recognized on a timely basis. More sensitive surveillance for such days, with better preparations for ambulance transfer and at emergency departments in hospitals remains as a challenge for future work.
文摘Investing in cryptocurrencies has become quite popular among investors as well as young people,students,and a large segment of society in recent years[1].The number of investors is increasing day by day,while its impact on daily life is becoming more and more visible[1,2].Cryptocurrency investments have become among the most popular discussion topics in any environment[2].The financial data has shown us that the number of such investors has exceeded 320 million,while the cryptocurrency market reached close to 4 trillion dollars in 2021.The leading cryptocurrency trading countries are the US with 46 million.
文摘As an anecdote to the one-size-fits-all curriculum, differentiation presents a pedagogical opportunity to accommodate learner variance. Differentiated instruction typically aims to address variance in at least one of the following areas: 1) student readiness;2) student learning profiles;and 3) student interests. While each aim is fundamentally important to effectively differentiating instruction, the purpose of this descriptive best practice paper was to present a simple approach for addressing variance in individual student interest in a university setting. Participants in this teaching activity included 175 students enrolled in one of two undergraduate-level courses in the Department of Public Health at a large private university in the United States. Each participant was asked to select a book related to his or her chosen career path and that aligned with a topic covered in the course. Students selected the book of their choice and submitted the title to the principle investigator who reviewed each selection. Students were given approximately six weeks to read their selected books and write a brief book report. Participants completed a brief online survey assessing the value of this teaching approach. Descriptive analyses indicate this teaching activity was widely considered to be meaningful and beneficial, supporting the inclusion of differentiated instructional approaches at the university level.
文摘As the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy continues to be on the rise, the Chronic Care Model (CCM) offers a transformative, patient-focused approach for efficient diabetic retinopathy care, emphasizing the need for urgent and innovative strategies in the United States. The model integrates community resources, healthcare organizations, self-management support, delivery system design, decision support, and clinical information systems. Addressing challenges and solutions, the model emphasizes proactive and preventive measures, collaborative multidisciplinary care, technological integration, and overcoming resistance to change. This paper proposes the utilization of the Chronic Care Model (CCM) as a possible public health framework for comprehensive management of diabetic retinopathy in the United States. Implementing the CCM offers a comprehensive approach to diabetic retinopathy care, addressing both individual and systemic factors, essential for improving public health outcomes.
文摘Introduction: The study revealed that many healthcare professional students begin their academic studies with positive and high expectations towards interprofessional collaborative studies. Unfortunately, students lose interest if their initial expectations are not met with consistent opportunities to enhance their communication skills and better understand the different healthcare professions. The study aimed to explore health science and public health students’ attitudes toward IPE. The participants’ backgrounds and demographics were used as the variations for the study. Methods: A pre-post semi-quantitative anonymous survey was designed to assess health science and public health undergraduate students’ attitudes toward IPE. The reason for this design was to capture the participants’ attitudes toward IPE at the start of a semester when they had no academic exposure to IPE. Qualtrics was used to collect the research data. A valid and reliable scale was used to measure attitudes toward IPE. A post-survey was included to measure the participants’ change in attitude toward IPE during the semester. The goal was to measure the IPE curriculum effectiveness. There were 21 survey questions. The questions were divided into four validated subscales. The first seven questions (Questions 1 - 7) pertained to the participants’ demographics s, such as gender, age, race, ethnicity, major field of study, and prior education. Questions 8, 9, 16, & 20 were designed to determine how the participants perceived their roles and responsibilities in their future healthcare careers. Each IPE attitude question’s central tendency and demographic variations were measured. The correlation between demographics and IPE attitudes was measured. Results: The pre-survey had 192 participants, and the post-survey had 97 participants. The pre-survey had 87% of participants in the age group 17 - 25 years, while the post-survey had 82.5% in the same age group. Only 5.7% of the participants were 36 years or older in the pre-survey and 9.3% in the post-survey. The participants were 80.70% female in the pre-survey and 85.6% in the post-survey. The largest healthcare career field concentration was nursing, with 42.7% and 45.4% in the pre- and post-surveys. The other three larger career fields were healthcare administration, community health education, and physician assistant. The participants’ attitudes toward learning with different healthcare career students and becoming more effective members of a healthcare team increased from 4.36 (SD = 0.13) to 4.40 (SD = 0.17). Two negative IPE attitude questions showed an increased value: 1) The function of nursing therapists is mainly to provide support for doctors (3.51, SD = 0.19 to 3.12, SD = 0.24, p-value ≤ 0.004) and 2) Clinical and healthcare problem-solving skills could only be learned with students from the same career field (3.73, SD = 0.13 to 3.31, SD = 0.24, p-value ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Interprofessional Education in an academic setting is essential to help healthcare students prepare and succeed in their future healthcare careers. The study results show that health science and public health students understand IPE and value academic exposure to the IPE process during their studies. Academic healthcare programs should continue integrating the IPE learning model and content throughout the student’s academic journey. The variations in IPE attitude do not significantly vary based on demographics and healthcare career fields. This study only represents a sample size of the many healthcare careers. Interprofessional communication and collaboration are essential to the future healthcare delivery challenges we face. For this reason, IPE should be integrated into healthcare education for all health science and public health students. It is recommended that more research should be done on creative curriculum design to get students more engaged in various healthcare IPE learning activities.
文摘Summary： Data communication and sharing of five level network of Public Health Information System, i.e. nation, province, district （city）, county, and town, as far as to the countryside level were described, and how to apply the three solutions, i.e. Access VPN, Intranet VPN, and Extranet VPN of VPN technique to achieve the appropriation of the public network was also presented.
文摘Background: In the context of the fight against HIV, a lack of skills in monitoring and evaluating the personnel in charge of activities has been identified at the national level. It was the subject of a priority axis of the national plan for monitoring and evaluating the fight against HIV (2006-2010) that was aimed at strengthening the capacities of actors in this area. To increase the critical mass of competent human resources in the short term, the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) of Côte d’Ivoire organized monitoring and evaluation training sessions for healthcare professionals from 2011 to 2016. Methods: A single case study with multiple levels of analysis was carried out, combining a qualitative survey and a literature review. An evaluation was carried out six months after each training session. In addition, the results of the pre- and post-tests and of the daily and final evaluations that accompanied the various training sessions were used to provide further information. The qualitative data collected were analyzed using INVIVO 15 software. Results: Some 89 health professionals (69% men and 31% women) working at the national level (51% at the central level, including 58% in health programs) and in development partner agencies (37%) participated in this capacity building program. Most participants were senior health managers (56%), data managers (23%), and statisticians and computer scientists (10%). Almost all the trainings were financed by 16 technical and financial partners (85%), mainly the MEASURE Evaluation project (27%). Conclusion: M&E training, despite all its imperfections, has made it possible to identify M&E training needs at the national level and to increase the critical mass of national skills and to have some culture in M&E.
文摘Background: Staff absenteeism is a global challenge in health care service delivery that has not spared any country. Aim: This was to assess the factors contributing to staff absenteeism in public health facilities in Bushenyi District of Uganda. Method: This was a cross sectional study conducted for a period of 3 months in which data were collected using a questionnaire and interviews. Results: Majority of participants were females (66.4%) which 50% in the age of 31 - 45 years. The study showed that residing outside the health facility (42.1%) i.e. walking distances over 10 km to get to work was a challenge. Family conflicts, overstay in one workstation without rotations to other major health facilities and drug abuse as well as inadequate supervision were major contributing factors to absenteeism (P Conclusion: Staff absenteeism in rural communities is a major challenge that needs a multi-sectorial approach for its effective management, thus showing a need to revise policy in the health sector.
文摘<b><span>Aim:</span></b><span> Public health professionals focus on both downstream (individual) and upstream (population-level) interventions to reduce sodium consumption and prevent sodium-related chronic diseases. Effective upstream interventions specifically aimed at reducing dietary sodium intake include the implementation of comprehensive nutrition standards that restrict the amount of sodium contain<span>ed in foods available for purchase. <span>The aim of this work was</span> to identify sought-after foods that did not meet the Philadelphia Nutrition Standards’ sodium limits and reformulate those foods to be standards-compliant</span> and consumer-acceptable. <b>Subject and Methods:</b> Two foods were reformulated for <span>compliancy</span> with the Philadelphia Nutrition Standards’ sodium limits and consumer acceptability: the hoagie roll and soft pretzel. Reformulation included sensory testing and engaging potential manufacturing partners to investigate products’ commercial potential. <b>Results: </b>While hoagie roll reformulation led to a local company manufacturing and selling the reformulated product, soft pr<span>etzel reformulation stalled due to lack of consumer acceptability of the reformulated product. Salt contributes desirable characteristics in the texture, taste, and appearance of the soft pretzel, the absence of which consumers found unacceptable. <b>Conclusion:</b> Product reformulation holds great potential to create lower-sodium foods that otherwise have all of the characteristics of the higher-sodium </span></span><span>“</span><span>original</span><span>”</span><span> products but requires an understanding of the role of salt in produ</span><span>ct recipes. Reducing salt without considering its multiple functions in food may result in a product that is unacceptable or even unsafe. A simple four-step tool can help public health practitioners evaluate the extent to which products are suitable for reformulation.</span>
文摘Cervical cancer is a serious health concern in Uganda. Early screening and detection certainly improves chances of survival and treatment outcome. Sound knowledge and positive attitudes highly influence acceptability and uptake of screening methods. This descriptive cross-sectional study determines knowledge and attitudes towards Cervical Cancer screening amongst female out-patients aged 15 - 49 years, attending Health Centre IIIs in Oyam District, Northern Uganda. A systematically obtained sample of 445 respondents was interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires and focused group discussions. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS 16.0. Directed content analysis of themes of transcribed qualitative data was conducted manually. Of the 445 respondents, only 62.7% (n = 279) had heard of cervical cancer amongst which only 35.1% (n = 85) had been screened;13.7% (n = 34) did not know what screening was;3.7% (n = 9) were not sure and 5.8% (n = 14) knew it as removal of the cervix. Only 39.1% (n = 174) believed that cervical cancer can be prevented. There is still limited knowledge and lots of misconceptions about cervical cancer screening in the communities, which requires massive sensitization of the population at risk to change negative attitudes and maximize acceptability to screening methods.
文摘Purpose: The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship and experiences of occupational health nurses (OHNs) and related departments in project development of mental health care for primary treatment in the Japanese occupational health setting. Method: A total of 235 OHNs who are members of the Japan Academy of Occupational Health Nursing were sent an anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey. The questionnaire included items on the following: the OHN’s background, whether the OHN had experience in project development, the communication between the associated departments, the Japanese version of the Work Engagement Scale (UWES-J), occupational assessments, workplace assessments, and the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) for health promotion in companies and the OHN’s working environment. We performed logistic regression analysis to examine the relationship between experience and these harmonious relationships with other associated departments. Result: Responses from 61 OHNs (valid response rate: 25.9%) were analyzed. The mean number of years of service as an OHN was 18.9, and 82% of respondents had experience in project development. The logistic analysis further revealed that OHNs who had experience in project development of mental health care usually had a harmonious relationship with other associated departments. Conclusion: To promote mental health care for workers, OHNs have the capability to create individual and workplace assessments, enhance their work engagement, and make further improvements to their working environment. .
文摘Abstract： UHC （Universal Health Coverage） is at the center of the Sustainable Development Agenda. In this study, the authors made an evaluation of the indicators allowing quantification of the impact of health coverage schemes on patients, applied in 4 sub-Saharan Africa countries： Rwanda, Burundi, the DRC （Democratic Republic of Congo） and Mall After an analysis of potential health coverage indicators, the most relevant ones were calculated on the basis of patient administrative and health insurance data, collected via OpenClinic GA, an HIMS （health information management system） used in 8 sub-Saharan hospitals during the period 2010-2016. The results show that the PHSC （patient health services coverage） rate is highest （81.5%-92.7%） in the 2 hospitals of Rwanda and in 2 hospitals of Burundi （37.7%-77.7%）. The PHSP （patient health service payment） rate as the proportion of costs paid by the patient versus total health service costs is below the 25% threshold recommended by WHO only for the 2 hospitals in Rwanda. The POOP （patient out-of-pocket） payment is below the threshold of 180USD per patient per year for all hospitals. The HIEXs （health insurance expenditures） are funded by the university private insurance （86% of expenses covered） in 2 university teaching hospitals in DRC, by CBHI （community based health insurance） （69%） in 2 hospitals in Rwanda, by the free care policy （77%） in 2 hospitals in Burundi and by the SHI （social health insurance） （100%） in the 2 hospitals in Mali. PHSC in the 8 reference hospitals reflects the national trend towards UHC in each country. With this study, we demonstrate the possibility to assess the degree of UHC in developing countries, by a methodology based on indicators calculated via information extraction from routine data in electronic health records.
文摘Toilet facilities in public places are a necessity and are supposed to be present in any public place where people visit. Despite the importance of toilet facilities in public places, there is limited access to toilet facilities in public places in Sub-Saharan Africa and this has been a persistent issue. Given that limited studies have been done on availability and use of toilets in public places, this study aimed to fill this research gap. To achieve the objective of the study, a cross-sectional study was used to select participants from the study site. The sample size was 400 after adjustment for non-response. Results from the study showed promising as 95% of public places had a toilet and water for hand washing. However, most of the toilet facilities lacked soap. Toilets in offices and hospitals were perceived to be cleaner and of good quality compared to those in markets and travel agencies. Results also showed that participants hardly used toilets in markets and travel agencies. Toilet facilities in offices and churches were most used, as office toilets were rated clean and of good quality by the participants. The study recommends the need for routine checks by the council to ensure the presence of toilet facilities in public places and the need to sensitise business owners on the importance of having and maintaining toilet facilities in their business establishments.
文摘Globally,there have been multiple public health emergencies in recent decades.High rates of morbidity,occasionally mortality,and economic instability are usually associated with pandemics.One of the epidemics that has significantly increased morbidity and mortality worldwide is the human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)and acquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS)pandemic.HIV has a disproportionately negative impact on key populations.Strong leadership,effective communication,and sound science are necessary for public health emergency(PHE)responses to be successful.These three PHE response pllars are also essential for bridging the HIV response gap among key populations in the setting of restrictive laws.In this review,we explored the importance of these three pillars of successful PHEs responses,and how they are essential to closing the gap in the HIV response among key populations.Leaders must make decisions and instil a sense of authority in the populace during PHEs to foster trust and confidence.Leaders should base their choices on scientific evidence.Effective communication during PHEs should be proactive,polite,imaginative,innovative,and constructive.To address gaps in the HIV response among key populations,leaders must create a supportive environment for effective communication and scientific research,communication should be used to raise awareness of HIV and to dispel stigma and discrimination,while science should provide evidence of efficacy and effectiveness of interventions amongkey populations.
文摘UNICEF, UNAIDS and USAID developed a global strategic framework to guide responses to care and protect orphans and other vulnerable children in the context of HIV/AIDS. In the developing world, about 132 million people have lost one or both parents due to the AIDS pandemic and 25 million children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS in 2010. The HIV prevalence in Cameroon is estimated at 5.1%. As of 2010, there were 304,000 deaths due to AIDS in Cameroon. Out of 1,200,000 orphans and vulnerable children in Cameroon in 2010, 300,000 were AIDS orphans. The HIV/AIDS burden impacts child survival, growth and development in the traditional African setting. With so many orphans in the population, along with many vulnerable children, strategies must be developed to respond more effectively to their critical needs. This study provides a model for OVC care and support in Cameroon. The model was developed out of extensive work using a participatory approach involving traditional, administrative and health stakeholders on OVC in Yaounde I and Yaounde VI Councils, Nanga Eboko Health District, Isangelle, Ekondo Titi, and Bafaka-Balue communities in Cameroon. Consultancy services with PLAN Cameroon, the Pan African Institute for Development-West Africa coupled with facilitation of many training workshops on OVC with Save the orphans Foundation, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Public Health and working with the National AIDS Control Committee. The essential components of a holistic framework for the care of OVC have been identified. A public health model for the care of OVC and a mechanism for their identification and a referral system for testing OVC for HIV are proposed. Through this model, a mechanism for the effective holistic care of OVC and collaboration is enhanced.
