Mapping global variation in dengue transmission intensity

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (528) ◽  
pp. eaax4144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Cattarino ◽  
Isabel Rodriguez-Barraquer ◽  
Natsuko Imai ◽  
Derek A. T. Cummings ◽  
Neil M. Ferguson
Keyword(s):  
Disease Incidence ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Transmission Intensity ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Force Of Infection ◽  
High Transmission ◽  
Dengue Transmission ◽  
The Impact

Intervention planning for dengue requires reliable estimates of dengue transmission intensity. However, current maps of dengue risk provide estimates of disease burden or the boundaries of endemicity rather than transmission intensity. We therefore developed a global high-resolution map of dengue transmission intensity by fitting environmentally driven geospatial models to geolocated force of infection estimates derived from cross-sectional serological surveys and routine case surveillance data. We assessed the impact of interventions on dengue transmission and disease using Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes and the Sanofi-Pasteur vaccine as specific examples. We predicted high transmission intensity in all continents straddling the tropics, with hot spots in South America (Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil), Africa (western and central African countries), and Southeast Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines). We estimated that 105 [95% confidence interval (CI), 95 to 114] million dengue infections occur each year with 51 (95% CI, 32 to 66) million febrile disease cases. Our analysis suggests that transmission-blocking interventions such as Wolbachia, even at intermediate efficacy (50% transmission reduction), might reduce global annual disease incidence by up to 90%. The Sanofi-Pasteur vaccine, targeting only seropositive recipients, might reduce global annual disease incidence by 20 to 30%, with the greatest impact in high-transmission settings. The transmission intensity map presented here, and made available for download, may help further assessment of the impact of dengue control interventions and prioritization of global public health efforts.

scholarly journals Delivery of Cardiology Services in Africa During the COVID-19 Pandemic: What Should We Expect After This Pandemic?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Nadege Nganou-Gnindjio ◽  
Mazou Temgoua ◽  
Liliane Kuate ◽  
Clovis Nkoke ◽  
Joel Noutakdie Tochie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Care Delivery ◽  
Cardiovascular Complications ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
The Impact

Abstract BackgroundCOVID-19 is a global public health crisis that affects all sectors; studying the impact of this pandemic on the delivery of cardiology services in Africa is crucial as COVID-19-related cardiovascular complications may worsen the CVD burden in this already highly affected and resource-limited continentMethodsThis was a cross-sectional e-survey study conducted amongst cardiologists in African countries. The primary outcome was the change in service delivery in African cardiology units during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. The secondary outcomes were the satisfaction of cardiologists with regards to the workload and factors associated with this satisfaction.ResultsThere was a significant reduction in working time and the number of patients consulted by week during this pandemic (p<0.001). In general, there was a decrease in the overall activities in cardiovascular care delivery. The majority of cardiology services (76.5%) and consulting programs (85%) were adjusted to the pandemic. Only half of the participants were satisfied with their workload. Reconfiguration of the consultation schedule was associated with a reduced satisfaction of participants (p=0.02).ConclusionsCOVID-19 is associated with an overall reduction in cardiology services rendered in Africa. Since the cardiovascular burdens continue to increase in this part of the World and the risk of cardiovascular complications linked to SARS COV2 remains unchanged cardiology, departments in Africa should anticipate a significant surge of cardiology services demanded by patients after the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Association of Livestock Ownership and Household Dietary Quality: Results from a Cross-Sectional Survey from Rural India

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 6060
Author(s):  
Adithya Pradyumna ◽  
Mirko S. Winkler ◽  
Jürg Utzinger ◽  
Andrea Farnham
Keyword(s):  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Dietary Quality ◽  
Milk Consumption ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dairy Animals ◽  
Livestock Ownership ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Dairy Animal

Studies from India and several eastern African countries found that the impact of dairy animal ownership on household nutrition varied greatly, depending on the socio-geographic context. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between livestock ownership and household dietary quality in rural Kolar district, India. We collected data from a household survey in four study villages (n = all 195 households of the four villages) of Kolar district, applying a cross-sectional design. Kendall’s rank correlation coefficient was employed to determine the correlation between milk consumption and other dietary variables. Multivariable logistic regression was used to describe the relationship between dairy animal ownership and household milk consumption. Households owning dairy animals more often had access to irrigation (58.3% vs. 25.2%) and were less often woman-headed (2.4% vs. 22.5%). Household milk consumption was significantly correlated with consumption of vegetable variety, egg, and meat (all p-values < 0.05). After adjusting for multiple confounders, the odds ratio of milk consumption between dairy animal-owning households as compared to other households was 2.11 (95% confidence interval 0.85, 5.45). While dairy animal ownership was found to be associated with improved dietary quality, larger households were in a better position to adopt dairy animals, which, in turn, might contribute to better household nutrition.

Political Stability in Africa: A Cross-National Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 002190962110544
Author(s):  
Gizachew Tiruneh
Keyword(s):  
Political Stability ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Founding Fathers ◽  
Colonial Legacy ◽  
Development Regime ◽  
French Colonial ◽  
British Colonial ◽  
National Analysis ◽  
The Impact

The main objective of this paper is to test the influence of Africa’s founding fathers and the impact of British colonial legacy on the political stability of Africa. We relied on a sample of 50 African countries and employed cross-sectional research designs, which covered two separate periods (1960–1989 and 1990–2018). Using logistic regression and OLS estimators and controlling for French colonial legacy, economic development, regime type, ethnic heterogeneity, and ethnic polarization, we found that the founding fathers were conducive to Africa’s political stability between 1960 and 2018. We also found that British colonial legacy had some impact on former British colonies’ stability between 1960 and 2018. In addition, GDP per capita had a significant impact on Africa’s political stability over the two periods.

scholarly journals Use of GeneXpert and the Role of an Expert Panel in Improving Clinical Diagnosis of Smear-Negative Tuberculosis Cases

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jovilia Abong ◽  
Victoria Dalay ◽  
Ivor Langley ◽  
Ewan Tomeny ◽  
Danaida Marcelo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Expert Panel ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Sputum Smear ◽  
Smear Microscopy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Abnormal Chest ◽  
Smear Negative ◽  
The Impact

Setting A high proportion of notified tuberculosis cases in the Philippines are clinically diagnosed (63%) as opposed to bacteriologically confirmed. Better understanding of this phenomenon is required to improve tuberculosis control. Objectives To determine the percentage of Smear Negative Presumptive Tuberculosis patients that would be diagnosed by GeneXpert; compare clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed as tuberculosis cases; and review the impact that the current single government physician and a reconstituted Tuberculosis Diagnostic committee (Expert Panel) may have on tuberculosis over-diagnosis. Design This is a cross-sectional study of 152 patients 15-85 years old with two negative Direct Sputum Smear Microscopy results, with abnormal chest X-ray who underwent GeneXpert testing and review by an Expert Panel. Results 31% (48/152) of the sample were Xpert positive. 93% (97/104) of GeneXpert negatives were clinically diagnosed by a Single Physician. Typical symptoms and X-ray findings were higher in bacteriologically confirmed tuberculosis. When compared to GeneXpert results, the Expert panel&rsquo;s sensitivity for active tuberculosis was high (97.5%, 39/40) but specificity was low (40.2%, 35/87). Conclusion Using the GeneXpert would increase the level of bacteriologically confirmed tuberculosis substantially among presumptive Tuberculosis. An Expert panel will greatly reduce over-diagnosis usually seen when a decision is made by a Single Physician.

Interest rate liberalization and economic growth nexus: does corruption matter?

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulhadi Aliyara Haruna ◽  
Abu Sufian Abu Bakar
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Interest Rate ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Reform Process ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Interest Rate Liberalization ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to examine the impact of interest rate liberalization on economic growth and the relevance of corruption in the five selected sub-Saharan African countries. Design/methodology/approach The study used the modified version of Driscoll and Kraay’s model by Hoechle, which solved the effects of cross-sectional dependence and heteroscedasticity. Findings The findings reveal a positive impact of the index on economic growth, and it was found that foreign direct investment (FDI) and credit to private sector by banks (CPSB) all stimulate economic growth. The interaction terms of corruption with FDI and CPSB indicate negative effects that show how corruption erodes the benefits of liberalization. Finally, the paper recommends the pursuit of appropriate policies with the sole aim of eradicating corruption and providing a conducive environment for business. Originality/value The paper developed a composite domestic financial liberalization index to capture the timing and essential dimensions of the reform process. The study investigates the effect of interest rate liberalization on economic growth and the relevance of corruption. Most of the recent and past studies only examined the impact of interest rate reforms on growth without investigating the relevance of corruption.

Social enterprises and organizational learning in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris Urban ◽  
Elena Gaffurini
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between different dimensions of organizational learning capabilities (OLC) and levels of social innovation in social enterprises. Design/methodology/approach The empirical strategy adopted is a cross-sectional study based on primary survey data. Following a survey of social enterprises in South Africa, statistically analysis is conducted using regression analyses to test the study hypotheses. Findings The findings show that the OLC dimensions of knowledge conversion, risk management, organizational dialogue and participative decision-making all have a significant and positive relationship with social innovation. Research limitations/implications In many emerging economies, the notion of organizational learning appears to have considerable potential relevance, particularly as African countries are moving toward knowledge-based economies. By focusing on OLC, it is anticipated that social enterprises can configure and leverage the different factors in ways that enable them to overcome the constraints of the complex and unpredictable environments and increase their levels of social innovation. Originality/value The paper provides a pioneering empirical investigation into the impact that OLC has on levels of social innovation, in an under-researched emerging market context.

scholarly journals Connecting communities to primary care: a qualitative study on the roles, motivations and lived experiences of community health workers in the Philippines

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunice Mallari ◽  
Gideon Lasco ◽  
Don Jervis Sayman ◽  
Arianna Maever L. Amit ◽  
Dina Balabanova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Community health workers (CHWs) are an important cadre of the primary health care (PHC) workforce in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The Philippines was an early adopter of the CHW model for the delivery of PHC, launching the Barangay (village) Health Worker (BHW) programme in the early 1980s, yet little is known about the factors that motivate and sustain BHWs’ largely voluntary involvement. This study aims to address this gap by examining the lived experiences and roles of BHWs in urban and rural sites in the Philippines. Methods This cross-sectional qualitative study draws on 23 semi-structured interviews held with BHWs from barangays in Valenzuela City (urban) and Quezon province (rural). A mixed inductive/ deductive approach was taken to generate themes, which were interpreted according to a theoretical framework of community mobilisation to understand how characteristics of the social context in which the BHW programme operates act as facilitators or barriers for community members to volunteer as BHWs. Results Interviewees identified a range of motivating factors to seek and sustain their BHW roles, including a variety of financial and non-financial incentives, gaining technical knowledge and skill, improving the health and wellbeing of community members, and increasing one’s social position. Furthermore, ensuring BHWs have adequate support and resources (e.g. allowances, medicine stocks) to execute their duties, and can contribute to decisions on their role in delivering community health services could increase both community participation and the overall impact of the BHW programme. Conclusions These findings underscore the importance of the symbolic, material and relational factors that influence community members to participate in CHW programmes. The lessons drawn could help to improve the impact and sustainability of similar programmes in other parts of the Philippines and that are currently being developed or strengthened in other LMICs.

scholarly journals IMPACT OF MATERNAL MORTALITY ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE SELECTED WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (31) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Afolabi Ibikunle
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Maternal Mortality ◽  
Maternal Mortality Ratio ◽  
West African ◽  
African Countries ◽  
The West ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cross Sectional Dependence ◽  
The Impact

Over half a million females die every year as a result of pregnancy and birth complications. The vast majority of these fatalities can be avoided. SDG 3.1’s objective is to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio by 2030 to below 70 per 100,000 live births. Despite a number of policies put in place maternal mortality in Africa remains unacceptably high. This study investigates the impact of maternal mortal- ity on sustainable development in 9 selected West African countries for the period from 1990 to 2015. Data used were adjusted net savings, maternal mortality, consumer price index, per-capita income and financial development. The second-generation econometric methods were employed: cross sectional dependence, slope homogeneity, Westerlund cointegration, Eberhadt and Teal AMG regression, and the Emirmahmutoglu and Kose bootstrap Granger causality test. Findings confirm the following: First, cross-sectional dependence and slope heterogeneity exist among the West African countries. Second, there is a long run relationship between maternal mortality and sustainable development. Third, maternal mortality impacted negatively and signifi- cantly on sustainable development. Fourth, the direction of causality varies across countries between maternal mor- tality and sustainable development. Lastly, causality runs from maternal mortality to sustainable development when analyzing the causal relationship among all countries. The findings suggest that the West African government needs to commit more funding to the health care sector and ensure access to free healthcare service to pregnant women or at low cost with quality and effective health care services if the countries must attain sustainable development by 2030.

scholarly journals Qualitative assessment of the impact of socioeconomic and cultural barriers on uptake and utilisation of tuberculosis diagnostic and treatment tools in East Africa: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e050911
Author(s):  
Elizabeth F Msoka ◽  
Fred Orina ◽  
Erica Samson Sanga ◽  
Barbara Miheso ◽  
Simeon Mwanyonga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Cultural Norms ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Inadequate Knowledge ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivesEarly diagnosis and timely treatment are key elements of a successful healthcare system. We assessed the role of socioeconomic and cultural norms in accelerating or decelerating uptake and utilisation of health technologies into policy and practice.SettingSecondary and tertiary level healthcare facilities (HCFs) in three East African countries. Level of HCF was selected based on the WHO recommendation for implantation of tuberculosis (TB) molecular diagnostics.ParticipantsUsing implementation of TB diagnostics as a model, we purposively selected participants (TB patients, carers, survivors, healthcare practitioners, community members, opinion leaders and policy-makers) based on their role as stakeholders. In-depth interviews, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were held to collect the data between 2016 and 2018. The data were transcribed, translated, coded and analysed by thematic-content analysis.ResultsA total of 712 individuals participated in the study. Socioeconomic and cultural factors such as poverty, stigma and inadequate knowledge about causes of disease and available remedies, cultural beliefs were associated with low access and utilisation of diagnostic and treatment tools for TB. Poverty made people hesitate to seek formal healthcare resulting in delayed diagnosis and resorting to self-medication and cheap herbal alternatives. Fear of stigma made people hide their sickness and avoid reporting for follow-up treatment visits. Inadequate knowledge and beliefs were fertile ground for aggravated stigma and believing that diseases like TB are caused by spirits and thus cured by spiritual rituals or religious prayers. Cultural norms were also the basis of gender-based imbalance in accessing care, ‘I could not go to hospital without my husband’s permission’, TB survivor.ConclusionOur findings show that socioeconomic and cultural factors are substantial ‘roadblocks’ to accelerating the uptake and utilisation of diagnostic and treatment tools. Resolving these barriers should be given equal attention as is to health system barriers.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Opportunities for Prevention of the Periodontal Diseases Among the Pregnant Women in Tbilisi

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (17) ◽  
Author(s):  
Veriko Tevzadze ◽  
Ketevan Nanobashvili
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Periodontal Diseases ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Data Entry ◽  
Target Group ◽  
Statistical Testing ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

Task: Although periodontal inflammatory diseases are very often during pregnancy, little is known about the risk factors that increase the frequency of periodontal disease incidence and affect its development during pregnancy. This descriptive study assesses the prevalence of periodontal diseases among pregnant women in Tbilisi, the impact of their socio-economic status, hygiene habits, and level of knowledge on their periodontal status. Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional study conducted among pregnant women. The respondents were distributed by Gynecological Centers and districts in Tbilisi. The survey was conducted at 24 Gynecological Centers. The target group of the study was 222 pregnant women aged 18 to 45 living in Tbilisi. The tool used in this study is a Structured Electronic Questionnaire. The oral health of the target group representatives was assessed by periodontal indices, the CPITN-index, and OHI-Jack R.Vermillion's oral hygiene index. Data entry and statistical analysis were carried out using the statistical program SPSS 23.0. Results: The current pregnancy for most of the respondents (36%) is the second, 53.2% of the pregnant women are in the second trimester of the pregnancy, 50,5% of the respondents are bachelors’ student or have completed a bachelor's stage of the study. Due to the employment status, 47.7% of them are housewives, and 61.1% evaluate their economical condition as satisfactory; 32,9% of the respondents have dental insurance, and only 13,3% use this insurance for this purpose. 68.8% of the pregnant women address the dentist only in case of pain or discomfort, 67.3% of them have bleeding gums, 66.5% of them feel pain or discomfort in the oral cavity and 59% of them have swelling/pain in their gums. Only 9% of gynecologists recommend their patients plan a visit to the dentist. Pregnant women’s awareness about the safety of dental manipulations is also quite low and it is 22.1 %. The statistical testing of the difference due to the qualitative variables was carried out using the Pearson's chi-square method; the index of signification (p), which was less than 0.05, at (p<0.05) was considered as statistically significant.

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