Assessment tool for establishing local pharmaceutical manufacturing in low- and middle-income countries

BACKGROUNDHealthcare-associated infection rates are higher in low- and middle-income countries compared with high-income countries, resulting in relatively larger incidence of patient mortality and disability and additional healthcare costs.OBJECTIVETo use the Infection Control Assessment Tool to assess gaps in infection control (IC) practices in the participating countries.METHODSSix international sites located in Argentina, Greece, Hungary, India, Nepal, and South Africa provided information on the health facility and the surgical modules relating to IC programs, surgical antibiotic use and surgical equipment procedures, surgical area practices, sterilization and disinfection of equipment and intravenous fluid, and hand hygiene. Modules were scored for each country.RESULTSThe 6 international sites completed 5 modules. Of 121 completed sections, scores of less than 50% of the recommended IC practices were received in 23 (19%) and scores from 50% to 75% were received in 43 (36%). IC programs had various limitations in many sites and surveillance of healthcare-associated infections was not consistently performed. Lack of administration of perioperative antibiotics, inadequate sterilization and disinfection of equipment, and paucity of hand hygiene were found even in a high-income country. There was also a lack of clearly written defined policies and procedures across many facilities.CONCLUSIONSOur results indicate that adherence to recommended IC practices is suboptimal. Opportunities for improvement of IC practices exist in several areas, including hospital-wide IC programs and surveillance, antibiotic stewardship, written and posted guidelines and policies across a range of topics, surgical instrument sterilization procedures, and improved hand hygiene.Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2015;36(10):1208–1214

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Developing a readiness self-assessment tool for low- and middle-income countries establishing new radiotherapy services: A participant validation study

Physica Medica ◽

10.1016/j.ejmp.2020.02.015 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 71 ◽

pp. 88-99 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Andrew Donkor ◽

Tim Luckett ◽

Sanchia Aranda ◽

Verna Vanderpuye ◽

Jane Phillips

Keyword(s):

Validation Study ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Self Assessment ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Low And Middle Income

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Management of paediatric burns in low- and middle-income countries: assessing capacity using the World Health Organization Surgical Assessment Tool

International Health ◽

10.1093/inthealth/ihz068 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 499-506 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Imogen K Thomson ◽

Katie R Iverson ◽

Simeon H S Innocent ◽

Neema Kaseje ◽

Walter D Johnson

Keyword(s):

Assessment Tool ◽

Skin Grafting ◽

World Health ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Burn Care ◽

Contracture Release ◽

Health Organization ◽

Traditional Approaches ◽

Low And Middle Income

Abstract Background Burns are a leading cause of global disease burden, with children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) disproportionately affected. Effective management improves outcomes; however, the availability of necessary resources in LMICs remains unclear. We evaluated surgical centres in LMICs using the WHO Surgical Assessment Tool (SAT) to identify opportunities to optimize paediatric burn care. Methods We reviewed WHO SAT database entries for 2010–2015. A total of 1121 facilities from 57 countries met the inclusion criteria: facilities with surgical capacity in LMICs operating on children. Human resources, equipment and infrastructure relevant to paediatric burn care were analysed by WHO Regional and World Bank Income Classifications and facility type. Results Facilities had an average of 147 beds and performed 485 paediatric operations annually. Discrepancies existed between procedures performed and resource availability; 86% of facilities performed acute burn care, but only 37% could consistently provide intravenous fluids. Many, particularly tertiary, centres performed contracture release and skin grafting (41%) and amputation (50%). Conclusions LMICs have limited resources to provide paediatric burn care but widely perform many interventions necessary to address the burden of burns. The SAT may not capture innovative and traditional approaches to burn care. There remains an opportunity to improve paediatric burn care globally.

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Capacity for Pediatric Burn Management in 57 Low- and Middle-Income Countries: An Evaluation Using the World Health Organization's Surgical Assessment Tool

Journal of the American College of Surgeons ◽

10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2018.08.407 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 227 (4) ◽

pp. e149-e150

Author(s):

Imogen K. Thomson ◽

Simeon H.S. Innocent ◽

Katherine R. Iverson ◽

Walter D. Johnson

Keyword(s):

Assessment Tool ◽

World Health ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

The World ◽

Low And Middle Income

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Development and validation of the Social Capital Assessment Tool in pregnancy for Maternal Health in Low and middle income countries (LSCAT-MH)

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027781 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. e027781 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Thilini C Agampodi ◽

Suneth B Agampodi ◽

Nick Glozier ◽

T A Lelwala ◽

K D P S Sirisena ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Capital ◽

Maternal Health ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Psychometric Validation ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Low Middle Income Countries ◽

In Pregnancy ◽

Low And Middle Income

ObjectivesSocial capital which implies ‘features of social organisation, such as trust, norms and networks that can improve the efficiency of society by facilitating coordinated actions’ is rarely assessed in relation to maternal health in low/middle-income countries (LMICs). A main reason for this research gap could be the unavailability of a specific tool to measure social capital in pregnancy. The study developed and validated an instrument to measure social capital among pregnant women.SettingWe developed the tool based on World Bank Social Capital Assessment Tool and its adaptations identified as applicable to LMIC from an initial systematic review. The study was conducted in Anuradhapura district in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. Validation process was conducted in urban, rural and resettled communities.ParticipantsStudy participants of the cognitive validation included pregnant women from the three communities, and an expert panel including a social scientist, methodological expert, subject expert, public health officers. The psychometric validation was performed on 439 pregnant women permanently residing in the three communities.ResultsThe 24-item Low and middle income countries Social Capital Assessment Tool for Maternal Health (LSCAT-MH) demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α=0.94). Factor analytical methods suggested a four-factor model of (1) neighbourhood networks (structural bonding), (2) domestic and neighbourhood cohesion (cognitive bonding), (3) social contribution and (4) social participation (structural bridging). Concurrent validity with antenatal mental ill health was confirmed through a negative correlation with the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale. Test–retest reliability was high with intraclass correlation of 0.71 and a Pearson correlation of 0.83.ConclusionThe LSCAT-MH is a psychometrically valid and reliable tool to measure social capital in pregnancy. Predictive validity was not tested as the study was not a longitudinal follow-up.

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Child and Adolescent Mental Health Training Programs for Non-specialist Mental Health Professionals in Low and Middle Income Countries: A Scoping Review of Literature

Community Mental Health Journal ◽

10.1007/s10597-021-00805-w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Vijay Raj ◽

Vibhay Raykar ◽

Ainsley M. Robinson ◽

Md Rafiqul Islam

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Training Programs ◽

Adolescent Mental Health ◽

Child And Adolescent ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Low And Middle Income

AbstractLarge treatment deficits in child and adolescent mental health (CAMH) care exist in low and middle income countries (LMICs). This study reviewed CAMH training programs for non-specialist health professionals (NSHPs) in LMICs. Multiple databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles describing programs from 2005 to 2018. Educational source materials, trainee evaluation methods, and perspectives on teaching methods, course content and scheduling were studied. Six programs were identified. NSHPs were most appreciative of training which included case-based discussions, role plays and clinical demonstrations that were relevant to local contexts. A need for less intense and more flexible timetables to enable reflection was identified. WHO’s mental health gap action program intervention guide (mhGAP-IG) and international association of child and adolescent psychiatrists and allied professionals resources should be used; they are free, easily accessible, and developed with extensive international contributions. Additionally, mhGAP-IG assessment tool encourages mutual learning, thereby iteratively enhancing training programs.

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