scholarly journals “Smart Diagnosis” of Parasitic Diseases by Use of Smartphones

2017 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad A. Saeed ◽  
Abdul Jabbar
Keyword(s):  
Point Of Care ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Rapid Diagnosis ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Parasitic Diseases ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
Diagnostic Equipment ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Cost Effective Alternative

ABSTRACT Accurate and rapid diagnosis is crucial in combating parasitic diseases that cause millions of deaths worldwide. However, the scarcity of specialized diagnostic equipment in low- and middle-income countries is one of the barriers to effective management of parasitic diseases and warrants the need for alternative, inexpensive, point-of-care diagnostic tools. Due to their multiple built-in sensors, smartphones offer cost-effective alternative to expensive diagnostic devices. However, the use of smartphones in parasitic diagnoses remains in its infancy. This minireview describes various smartphone-based devices applied specifically for the diagnosis of parasitic diseases and discusses challenges and potential implications for their use in future.

scholarly journals Threats to the child’s brain in resource-poor countries

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jo M Wilmshurst
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Ripple Effect ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Local Setting ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Child's Brain ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Children in low and middle income countries are 16 times more likely to die before 5 years of age compared to children in high-income countries. More than 200 million children under five in the developing world do not fulfil their potential, the major reasons appear to be poor nutrition, and limited access to education in the setting of extreme poverty. Three major factors with multiple sub-headings result in threats to the child’s brain. Namely, the background setting the child is born into and grows up in, the acquired influences of the local setting, and the available interventions for the child. The following text is an overview of these key issues and their subheadings, for children residing in low and middle income countries. Whilst many influencers are beyond the control of health practitioners, such as conflicts of war and impact of famine, there are relatively cost effective interventions which can have a massive ripple effect in reducing diseases of high burden such as effective vaccination programs, insectide immerced nets for beds, and effective pigs pens. There is need for viable protocols to be adapted for the local setting, for simple, cost effective diagnostic tools to be developed and for health practitioners to be equipped with the skills to cope with neurological disorders, especially those prevalent in and specific to low and middle income countries. 

scholarly journals Achieving Viral Suppression in 90% of People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus on Antiretroviral Therapy in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (10) ◽  
pp. 1487-1491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean B Nachega ◽  
Nadia A Sam-Agudu ◽  
Lynne M Mofenson ◽  
Mauro Schechter ◽  
John W Mellors
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Term Treatment ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Long Term Treatment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract Although significant progress has been made, the latest data from low- and middle-income countries show substantial gaps in reaching the third “90%” (viral suppression) of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 goals, especially among vulnerable and key populations. This article discusses critical gaps and promising, evidence-based solutions. There is no simple and/or single approach to achieve the last 90%. This will require multifaceted, scalable strategies that engage people living with human immunodeficiency virus, motivate long-term treatment adherence, and are community-entrenched and ‑supported, cost-effective, and tailored to a wide range of global communities.

scholarly journals The status of cryptosporidiosis in Jordan: a review

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 1565-1569
Author(s):  
AbdelRahman Zueter
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Test ◽  
Organ Transplant ◽  
Population Group ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
The Status ◽  
Protozoal Infection

Background: Cryptosporidium is a waterborne intestinal parasite that causes diarrhoea in low and middle-income countries worldwide. Reports from Mediterranean countries have documented the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in children at various ages, also among cancer patients, and in cases of chronic kidney disease, haemodialysis, and organ transplant. Untill now, modified-acid staining preceded by stool concentration preparation remains the leading screening diagnostic test for the infection. In Jordan, few studies for cryptosporidiosis have been performed during the last 3 decades. Aims: This paper reviewed the status of cryptosporidiosis in Jordan and tracked recent updates for this emerging protozoal infection among different population groups. Methods: In this study, an online search was conducted on Google Scholar and PubMed databases using the keywords: Jordan, cryptosporidiosis and Cryptosporidium to inspect studies done on this parasite in Jordan. Results: Only 9 articles were identified from 1994 to 2019. These were analysed in terms of population group, demography, clinical history and the diagnostic tools used. Conclusion: Cryptosporidiosis is still neglected in Jordan as indicated by the low number of studies over the last 3 decades and the prevalence is diverse depending on the diagnostic test used and socioeconomic status.

scholarly journals School vision screening programmes in reducing uncorrected refractive error among children in Low and Middle-Income countries-LMIC (systematic review)

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 91-105
Author(s):  
Abraham Opare ◽  
Leila H Abdullahi ◽  
Deon Minnies ◽  
Colin Cook ◽  
Maylene Shung-King ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
School Children ◽  
Refractive Error ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Vision Screening ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
School Vision ◽  
Uncorrected Refractive Error

ackground: The prevalence of uncorrected refractive error among school-age children is on the rise with detrimental effect on academic performance and socio-economic status of those affected. School vision screening programmes appear to be an effective way of identifying children with uncorrected refractive errors so early intervention can be made. Despite the increasing popularity of school vision screening programmes over the past few years, there is a lot of debate on its effectiveness in reducing the proportion of children with uncorrected refractive error in the long term, especially in settings where resources are limited. Some studies argue that school vision screening programmes are effective while other studies have reported otherwise. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of school vision screening programmes in reducing uncorrected refractive error among children in low and middle income countries using evidence from published studies. Methods and findings: A comprehensive and systematic strategy was used to search various databases including PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) which contains the Cochrane Eyes and vision Trial Register, the Cochrane Library, Medline (1980-2018), CINAHL, Academic Search Premier, Web of Science, the WHO’s Library Information System, Africa-Wide and Scopus. The search was restricted to articles published in English. Randomized control trials, cross-sectional studies, case-control studies and cohort studies were included in this review. Participants included school children with refractive error. Full-text review of search results, data extraction and risk of bias assessment was done by two independent reviewers. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach and data were pooled using the random-effect model. Thirty studies met the inclusion criteria. This review found moderate certainty evidence indicating that school vision screenings may be effective in reducing uncorrected refractive error among school children by 81% (95% CI: 77%; 84%), 24% (95% CI: 13%; 35%) and 20% (95% CI: 18%; 22%) at two, six, and more than six months respectively after its introduction. Results: Results of this review also suggest that school vision screening may be effective in achieving 54% (95% CI: 25%; 100%), 57% (95% CI: 46%; 70%), 37% (95% CI: 26%; 52%), and 32% (95% CI: 14%; 72%) spectacle-wear compliance among school children at less than three months, at three months, at six months and at more than six months respectively after its introduction (low to moderate certainty evidence). This review further found moderate to high certainty evidence indicating that school vision screening, together with provision of spectacles, may be relatively cost effective, safe and has a positive impact on the academic performance of school children. Conclusion: The findings of this review show that school vision screening, together with provision of spectacles, may be a safe and cost-effective way of reducing the proportion of children with uncorrected refractive error, with long-term positive impact on academic performance of children. Most of the studies included in this review were, however, conducted in Asia. Research to investigate the effectiveness of school vision screening programmes in other parts of the world like Africa where few studies have been conducted is highly recommended

scholarly journals Hepatitis C Diagnosis: Simplified Solutions, Predictive Barriers, and Future Promises

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1253
Author(s):  
Imran Shahid ◽  
Abdullah R. Alzahrani ◽  
Saeed S. Al-Ghamdi ◽  
Ibrahim M. Alanazi ◽  
Sidra Rehman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Clinical Experiences ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Care Cascade ◽  
Reflex Testing ◽  
Developed Nations

The simplification of current hepatitis C diagnostic algorithms and the emergence of digital diagnostic devices will be very crucial to achieving the WHO’s set goals of hepatitis C diagnosis (i.e., 90%) by 2030. From the last decade, hepatitis C diagnosis has been revolutionized by the advent and approval of state-of-the-art HCV diagnostic platforms which have been efficiently implemented in high-risk HCV populations in developed nations as well as in some low-to-middle income countries (LMICs) to identify millions of undiagnosed hepatitis C-infected individuals. Point-of-care (POC) rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs; POC-RDTs), RNA reflex testing, hepatitis C self-test assays, and dried blood spot (DBS) sample analysis have been proven their diagnostic worth in real-world clinical experiences both at centralized and decentralized diagnostic settings, in mass hepatitis C screening campaigns, and hard-to-reach aboriginal hepatitis C populations in remote areas. The present review article overviews the significance of current and emerging hepatitis C diagnostic packages to subvert the public health care burden of this ‘silent epidemic’ worldwide. We also highlight the challenges that remain to be met about the affordability, accessibility, and health system-related barriers to overcome while modulating the hepatitis C care cascade to adopt a ‘test and treat’ strategy for every hepatitis C-affected individual. We also elaborate some key measures and strategies in terms of policy and progress to be part of hepatitis C care plans to effectively link diagnosis to care cascade for rapid treatment uptake and, consequently, hepatitis C cure.

E-Government for Health Facilities in Africa

2015 ◽  
pp. 21-27
Author(s):  
Paul Macharia ◽  
Davies Kimanga ◽  
Onesimus Kamau
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Health Financing ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Bring Your Own Device ◽  
Workplace Flexibility ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Information And Communication

Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) face healthcare worker shortages, skill mix imbalances, and maldistributions; there is concern in their quality and productivity. Africa's infrastructural developments also are way behind the rest of the world, and this gap is widening. Scalable, cost-effective, and long-term strategies in healthcare services are greatly needed. This chapter explores how Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) could play an important role in improving healthcare. Components of e-health, an emerging field in medicine, clinical care, and public health are discussed. The role of m-health is explored, identifying the benefits of integrating mobile phone technologies in healthcare. To meet the health financing deficiencies, the chapter also explores how Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) could drive healthcare professionals' productivity through increased workplace flexibility.

scholarly journals Immunisation financing and programme performance in the Middle East and North Africa, 2010 to 2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. e001248
Author(s):  
Helen Saxenian ◽  
Nahad Sadr-Azodi ◽  
Miloud Kaddar ◽  
Kamel Senouci
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Middle East ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Life Saving ◽  
Fiscal Space

Immunisation is a cornerstone to primary health care and is an exceptionally good value. The 14 low-income and middle-income countries in the Middle East and North Africa region make up 88% of the region’s population and 92% of its births. Many of these countries have maintained high immunisation coverage even during periods of low or negative economic growth. However, coverage has sharply deteriorated in countries directly impacted by conflict and political unrest. Approximately 1.3 million children were not completely vaccinated in 2017, as measured by third dose of diphtheria–pertussis–tetanus vaccine. Most of the countries have been slow to adopt the newer, more expensive life-saving vaccines mainly because of financial constraints and the socioeconomic context. Apart from the three countries that have had long-standing assistance from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, most countries have not benefited appreciably from donor and partner activities in supporting their health sector and in achieving their national and subnational immunisation targets. Looking forward, development partners will have an important role in helping reconstruct health systems in conflict-affected countries. They can also help with generating evidence and strategic advocacy for high-priority and cost-effective services, including immunisation. Governments and ministries of health would ensure important benefits to their populations by investing further in their immunisation programmes. Where possible, the health system can create and expand fiscal space from efficiency gains in harmonising vaccine procurement mechanisms and service integration; broader revenue generation from economic growth; and reallocation of government budgets to health, and from within health, to immunization.

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