Decision tool for climate disasters and infectious disease at sub-national level in India: Ensuring a paradigm shift in health planning from prevalence to vulnerability

Torrential rains and floods have been causing irreplaceable losses to both human lives and environment in Pakistan. This loss has reached to an extent of assively aggrieved situation to reinstate life at operationally viable position. This paper unfolds the notion that only constructive paradigm shift to overcome this phenomenon is vital as a strategy. Multiple levels of observations and on-site assessment of various calamity-prone venues were considered to probe into this scenario. Some of the grave site in Sindh and Punjab were observed and necessarily practicable measures were recommended to avoid loss to human health and environment. The paper finds that a consistent drastic management authority on national level with appropriate caliber and forecasting expertise can reduce the damage to human life and environment to great extent. Weather forecasting system need to be installed at many appropriately observed cities and towns in the country with adequate man power, funds and technical recourses. By implementing the proper frame work of prevention and mitigation of floods country can save the major costs cleanup and recovery. These measures are expected to reduce operational cost of state in terms of GDP and GNP to restore life and environment.

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Adherence to malaria rapid diagnostic test results and a qualitative study on Health Workers perception about the test in Agona East District of Ghana

10.21203/rs.3.rs-118883/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Selina Ansah-Koi

Keyword(s):

Diagnostic Test ◽

Rapid Diagnostic Test ◽

Health Workers ◽

Health Planning ◽

National Level ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Health Centers ◽

Quantitative Aspect ◽

Test Results ◽

Negative Test

Abstract Background Ghana has adopted the policy of diagnostically testing for malaria before treatment. The Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) is used to diagnose malaria especially in lower health facilities like Health Centers (HC) and Community-based Health Planning Services (CHPS) Compounds without microscopy. Studies have shown that clinicians do not always adhere to negative malaria test results of the RDT and prescribe anti-malarials. Methods Quantitative aspect focused on how malaria is diagnosed and adherence to negative rapid diagnostic test results using the consulting room register and patients’ folder of six health facilities within the period of July to September 2015. In-depth interviews using purposive sampling was conducted for 14 health workers at Health Centers and CHPS compounds to find out their perceptions about malaria RDT and reasons for adherence or non-adherence to test results.Results Of the six health facilities in the Agona East District, 3.87% (14/362) were presumptively diagnosed with malaria whiles 96.10% (348/362) were diagnosed with malaria using RDT.For those tested with RDT, 15.25% tested negative and 84.75% tested positive. Of those who tested negative, 20.75% were given anti-malarials and 79.25% did not receive anti-malarials. Health workers perceived the Malaria RDT kit as easy to use and also as making work easier. Testing is done mainly because it is a policy. Conclusion The malaria testing rate in the Agona East District is higher than that at the National level. Health Centers compared to CHPS compounds are likely to treat for malaria in cases of a negative test result. There is also high adherence to negative test results. Health workers perceive the RDT as a useful tool which has made malaria diagnosis easy.

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The Intestinal Microbiome in Infectious Diseases: The Clinical Relevance of a Rapidly Emerging Field

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofx144 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Vanessa C Harris ◽

Bastiaan W Haak ◽

Michaël Boele van Hensbroek ◽

Willem J Wiersinga

Keyword(s):

Infectious Disease ◽

At Risk ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Infectious Diseases ◽

Paradigm Shift ◽

Clinical Relevance ◽

Intestinal Microbiome ◽

Risk Patient ◽

Immune Development ◽

Enteric Infections

Abstract The field of infectious disease is undergoing a paradigm shift as the intestinal microbiome is becoming understood. The aim of this review is to inform infectious disease physicians of the potential relevance of the intestinal microbiome to their practice. We searched Medline using both index and text words relating to infectious diseases, microbiome, and probiotics. Relevant articles published up through 2017 were reviewed within Rayyan. The review illustrates pathophysiologic concepts linking the microbiome and infectious diseases; specifically, the intestinal microbiome’s relevance to early immune development, the microbiome and enteric infections, the microbiome’s relevance in compromised hosts, and antimicrobial resistance. Within each subject, there are specific examples of diseases and at-risk patient populations where a role for the microbiome has been strongly established. This provides an overview of the significance of the intestinal microbiome to microbiology, pediatric and adult infectious diseases with an underpinning of concepts useful for the practicing clinician.

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Stakeholders’ perspectives on training over the counter medicine sellers and Community-based Health Planning and Services facilities to dispense antibiotics in Ghana

Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice ◽

10.1186/s40545-021-00349-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Samuel Afari-Asiedu ◽

Marlies Hulscher ◽

Martha Ali Abdulai ◽

Ellen Boamah-Kaali ◽

Heiman F. L. Wertheim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Services ◽

Health Planning ◽

National Level ◽

Public Health Education ◽

Antibiotic Use ◽

District Health ◽

Community Based ◽

Over The Counter ◽

Middle Income ◽

Pharmacy Council

Abstract Background Dispensing of antibiotics by over the counter medicine sellers (OTCMS) is a major driver of inappropriate use and resistance in low and middle income countries. Recent studies in Ghana revealed the need to consider training OTCMS and Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS)/health posts to dispense some antibiotics. Feasibility of training OTCMS and CHPS to dispense some antibiotics was explored in this study. Methods This was an explorative study involving 10 in-depth interviews (IDIs) among staff of Ghana health services (GHS), pharmacy council and the association of OTCMS at the district and regional levels. Next, findings were presented to the Ghana Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) platform for further discussions at the national level. Five IDIs were also performed among selected members of the AMR platform as a follow-up on emerging issues. Data were thematically analysed and presented as narratives with quotes to support the findings. Results Two opposing views were found in our study. Leadership of OTCMS and GHS staff at the district health directorate supported the suggestion that OTCMS and CHPS should be trained to dispense specific antibiotics because they are already dispensing them. The leadership of OTCMS explained that some of their members are experienced and could be trained to improve their practices. In contrast, participants from pharmacy council, GHS in the region and national AMR platform generally alluded that OTCMS and CHPS should not be trained to dispense antibiotics because their level of education is inadequate. GHS personnel from the region further explained that training OTCMS could further compromise inappropriate antibiotic use in the context of already weak regulation enforcement. GHS and pharmacy council in the region rather suggested that OTCMS and CHPS should focus on public health education on disease prevention and appropriate antibiotic use. Conclusions There is general lack of consensus among stakeholders on whether OTCMS and CHPS should be trained to dispense specific antibiotics. Further stakeholder engagement is required to carefully consider this suggestion as views on feasibility differ. Ministries of health and healthcare agencies in Ghana and LMIC should improve access to approved health services to improve antibiotic use in rural settings.

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The Danish National Youth Study 2019: study design and participant characteristics

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1177/1403494821993724 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 140349482199372

Author(s):

Veronica Sofie Clara Pisinger ◽

Anne Thorsted ◽

Andrea Huber Jezek ◽

Andreas Jørgensen ◽

Anne Illemann Christensen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

High School Students ◽

High Schools ◽

Study Design ◽

Health Behaviour ◽

Health Planning ◽

National Level ◽

Well Being ◽

School Students ◽

Youth Study

Aim: To present the study design, study population and questionnaire content of the Danish National Youth Study 2019, and to describe the differences between participants and non-participants regarding demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Method: The Danish National Youth Study 2019 is a nationwide web-survey among high school students in Denmark. Data was collected from January to April 2019 through a self-administered questionnaire in the classroom. The questionnaire included 120 questions on, for example, physical and mental health, health behaviour and well-being. Data collection took place at 50 general high schools, 32 preparatory high schools, 15 commercial high school and 19 technical high schools. Results: A total of 29,086 students participated (20,287 general high school students, 2,113 preparatory higher school students, 4027 commercial high school students and 2659 technical high school students) corresponding to 66% of the students in the 88 participating schools (31% of invited schools). Among students, 55% were female and the mean age was 17.8 years. Participants were more likely to be female, to be younger, to be of Danish origin, and have family disposable income in the highest quartile compared to non-participants. Conclusions: The Danish National Youth Study 2019 contributes to knowledge on high school students’ health, health behaviour and well-being that can support health planning and prioritizing, through identification of specific risk groups at both local and national level. The study also offers great opportunities for future research as it provides possibility of linkage to various Danish national registers.

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Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis Diagnosis and Management – New Paradigm Shift Narratives

Clinical Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/cid/ciab036 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Arnold S Bayer ◽

Henry F Chambers

Keyword(s):

Infectious Disease ◽

Valve Replacement ◽

Paradigm Shift ◽

Prosthetic Valve ◽

Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis ◽

New Paradigm ◽

Replacement Surgery ◽

Diagnostic Difficulties ◽

Major Infectious Disease ◽

Valve Replacement Surgery

Abstract Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) is a major infectious disease problem due to the increasing numbers of patients undergoing valve replacement surgery. PVE can present diagnostic difficulties echocardiographically, especially when complicating transvascular placement techniques. Moreover, outbreaks of unusual PVE pathogens, such as Mycobacterium chimaera, have presented major diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas.

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Aims and challenges of building national trainee networks in clinical microbiology and infectious disease disciplines

Future Microbiology ◽

10.2217/fmb-2021-0045 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah Dellière ◽

Nathan Peiffer-Smadja ◽

Maria João-Lopes ◽

Muge Cevik ◽

Maxime Pichon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Infectious Disease ◽

Infectious Diseases ◽

Medical Practice ◽

European Society ◽

Clinical Microbiology ◽

Early Stage ◽

National Level ◽

White Paper ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Career Opportunities

Trainees represent the medical practice of tomorrow. Interactions and collaborations at the early stage in career will strengthen the future of our specialties, clinical microbiology and infectious diseases. Trainee networks at the national level help access the best education and career opportunities. The aim of this collaborative white paper between the Trainee Association of European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) and four national trainee networks is to discuss the motivation for building such networks and offer guidance for their creation and sustainability even during a health crisis.

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Preparations for the European football championship (EURO 2008) in Switzerland

Eurosurveillance ◽

10.2807/ese.13.22.18892-en ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 13 (22) ◽

Author(s):

A Dreyfus ◽

J Marfurt ◽

A Birrer ◽

H. C. Matter ◽

P-A Raeber

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Infectious Disease ◽

Disease Prevention ◽

Infectious Diseases ◽

Disease Transmission ◽

National Level ◽

Point Of View ◽

Mass Gathering ◽

Increased Risk ◽

European Football

The European football championship (EURO 2008) is taking place in Austria and Switzerland between 7 and 29 June 2008. From a public health point of view, such a mass gathering requires attention with regard to infectious disease prevention because of (i) a potential increased risk for disease transmission (ii) increased media attention and (iii) its potential as a target for actions of a bioterrorist nature [2,6,8,9]. This article gives an overview of the preparations for Euro 2008 on the national level in Switzerland with regards to infectious diseases.

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Challenges to achieving universal health coverage through community-based health planning and services delivery approach: a qualitative study in Ghana

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024845 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. e024845 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Abraham Assan ◽

Amirhossein Takian ◽

Moses Aikins ◽

Ali Akbarisari

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Universal Health Coverage ◽

Low Income ◽

Health Planning ◽

National Level ◽

Health Coverage ◽

Community Based ◽

Services Delivery ◽

Universal Health ◽

Local Levels

ObjectiveCommunity-based initiatives have enormous potential to facilitate the attainment of universal health coverage (UHC) and health system development. Yet key gaps exist and threaten its sustainability in many low-income and middle-income countries. This study is first of its kind (following the launch of the Sustainable Developments Goal [SDG]) and aimed to holistically explore the challenges to achieving UHC through the community-based health planning and service (CHPS) initiative in Ghana.DesignA qualitative study design was adopted to explore the phenomenon. Face-to-face indepth interviews were conducted from April 2017 until February 2018 through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data were analysed using inductive and deductive thematic analysis approach.SettingData were gathered at the national level, in addition to the regional, district and subdistrict/local levels of four regions of Ghana. Sampled regions were Central Region, Greater Accra Region, Upper East Region and Volta Region.ParticipantsIn total, 67 participants were interviewed: national level (5), regional levels (11), district levels (9) and local levels (42). Interviewees were mainly stakeholders—people whose actions or inactions actively or passively influence the decision-making, management and implementation of CHPS, including policy makers, managers of CHPS compound and health centres, politicians, academics, health professionals, technocrats, and community health management committee members.ResultsBased on our findings, inadequate understanding of CHPS concept, major contextual changes with stalled policy change to meet growing health demands, and changes in political landscape and leadership with changed priorities threaten CHPS sustainability.ConclusionUHC is a political choice which can only be achieved through sustainable and coherent efforts. Along countries’ pathways to reach UHC, coordinated involvement of all stakeholders, from community members to international partners, is essential. To achieve UHC within the time frame of SDGs, Ghana has no choice but to improve its national health governance to strengthen the capacity of existing CHPS.

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Syndromic infectious disease surveillance of refugees in Greece: a mixed methods analysis

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.061 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

J Graef ◽

M Omar ◽

A Abbara

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Infectious Disease ◽

User Experience ◽

Disease Surveillance ◽

Syndromic Surveillance ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

National Level ◽

Structural Barriers ◽

Syndromic Surveillance System ◽

Humanitarian Response

Abstract Background An estimated 1,174,140 refugees have migrated into Greece, a main entry point for refugees into Europe, since 2014. Their infectious disease profile is monitored by a national-level ad-hoc syndromic surveillance system in refugee-migrant reception centres. The utility of this system is explored to contribute evidence to and improve syndromic surveillance in European refugee responses. Methods Proportional morbidities, numbers of cases and signals, cases above expected numbers, of 14 syndromes are collated from weekly reports between 2016-2019, graphed and analysed in the context of the humanitarian response. Semi-structured key informant interviews are conducted and thematically analysed. Results Between 20.06.2016 and 17.02.2019, 36358 cases and 116 signals occurred. Public health responses resulted and there were no significant outbreaks. On average 5% of all consultations in centres were on infectious syndromes. Respiratory infections with fever (57%), gastroenteritis (22%), suspected scabies (13%) and rashes with fever (5%) were most commonly reported. Every week, between 68-100% of 25-58 participating centres completed reporting adequately. 6 informants reported on their syndromic system user experience. The system’s benefits, providing information and safeguarding refugees, outweighed harms. Data was timely and complete, but likely under-reported for common conditions. Poor living conditions and inter-agency coordination complicated reporting and public health responses. Conclusions Infectious burdens and trends were provided by the system and allowed for timely responses. Data quality was adequate. The system was valuable and feasible to informants. The set-up of the humanitarian response, inadequate ownership and poor coordination of authorities reduced the system’s utility. Key messages Syndromic surveillance is useful for monitoring refugee infectious health. Structural barriers need to be resolved to improve systems’ data and user experience.

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