scholarly journals The Impact of Recycled Neonatal Incubators in Nigeria: A 6-Year Follow-Up Study

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hippolite Onyejiaka Amadi ◽  
Jonathan C. Azubuike ◽  
Uriah S. Etawo ◽  
Uduak R. Offiong ◽  
Chinyere Ezeaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Live Births ◽  
Technical Performance ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
Newborn Mortality ◽  
Retrospective Assessment ◽  
Case Files ◽  
The Impact

Nigeria has a record of high newborn mortality as an estimated 778 babies die daily, accounting for a ratio of 48 deaths per 1000 live births. The aim of this paper was to show how a deteriorating neonatal delivery system in Nigeria may have, in part, been improved by the application of a novel recycled incubator technique (RIT). Retrospective assessment of clinical, technical, and human factors in 15 Nigerian neonatal centres was carried out to investigate how the application of RIT impacted these factors. Pre-RIT and post-RIT neonatal mortalities were compared by studying case files. Effect on neonatal nursing was studied through questionnaires that were completed by 79 nurses from 9 centres across the country. Technical performance was assessed based on 10-indices scores from clinicians and nurses. The results showed an increase in neonatal survival, nursing enthusiasm, and practice confidence. Appropriately recycled incubators are good substitutes to the less affordable modern incubators in boosting neonatal practice outcome in low-income countries.

scholarly journals Effects of Anaemia and Iron Supplementation on Vaccine Response: A Birth Cohort Study and a Randomized Trial Follow-Up Study in Kenyan Infants

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1115-1115
Author(s):  
Michael Zimmermann ◽  
Nicole Stoffel ◽  
Mary Uyoga ◽  
Simon Karanja
Keyword(s):  
Birth Cohort ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Iron Supplementation ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Birth Cohort Study ◽  
Measles Vaccine ◽  
Vaccine Response ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives Vaccines often underperform in low-income countries. Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) may impair adaptive immunity and is common among African infants at time of vaccination. Our objective was to assess whether IDA impairs vaccine response and whether iron supplementation improves vaccine response. Methods We performed two studies in southern Kenya. In study 1, we followed a birth cohort to age 18 mo and assessed whether IDA at time of vaccination with pentavalent, 10-valent pneumococcal and measles vaccines predicted vaccine response. Primary outcomes were serum IgG and seroconversion at age 24wk and 18 mo. Study 2 was a randomised trial cohort follow-up in children who received 5 mg iron daily or no iron for 4 mo starting at age 7.5 mo and received measles vaccine at 9 and 18 mo; primary outcomes were IgG, seroconversion and avidity assessed at 11.5 mo and 4.5y. Results Study 1 ran from August 2013 to May 2017; 573 infants were enrolled and 303 completed the study. Controlling for sex, birthweight, anthropometrics and maternal antibodies, haemoglobin at time of vaccination was the strongest positive predictor of: (A) anti-diphtheria and anti-pertussis IgG at 24wk and 18 mo; (B) anti-pertussis filamentous hemagglutinin IgG at 24wk; and (C) anti-pneumococcus-S19 IgG at 18 mo (for all, P < 0.05). IDA and serum transferrin receptor at vaccination were the strongest predictors of seroconversion against diphtheria and pneumococcus-S19 at 18 mo (P < 0.05 for all). Study 2 ran from October 2014 to March 2019; 155 infants were recruited, 127 and 88 were assessed at age 11.5 mo and 4.5y. Infants who received iron at time of measles vaccination had higher anti-measles IgG (P = 0.0415), seroconversion (P = 0.0531) and IgG avidity (P = 0.0425) at 11.5 mo. Conclusions To our knowledge these are the first prospective data from Africa assessing the impact of IDA at vaccination on vaccine response. IDA at time of vaccination is associated with decreased response to diphtheria, pertussis and pneumococcal vaccines. Primary response to measles vaccine is increased by iron supplementation. Because anaemia is common in African infants and because the vaccine-preventable disease burden is high, if IDA reduces immunogenicity of childhood vaccines its prevention could have major benefits. Funding Sources Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; ETH Zurich; DSM Nutrition; The Philhuman Foundation

scholarly journals Quality of Polypropylene Sockets for Trans-Tibial Prostheses in Low-Income Countries

2006 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Steen Jensen ◽  
Wilfried Raab ◽  
John Fisk ◽  
Christian Hartz ◽  
Ariel Saldana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
Quality Measures ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Assembly System ◽  
Technical Performance

Based on six series of patients ( n = 198) participating in clinical field testing of prosthetic feet and all provided with trans-tibial prostheses in accordance with the polypropylene component and assembly system developed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) follow-up studies by teams consisting of an orthopaedic surgeon and a Category-I prosthetist-orthotist were conducted. A series of quality measures were tested against previously published quality benchmarks. The polypropylene system gives a consistent product and allows for increased demands on quality benchmarks. The acceptance of discomfort and pain could be reduced to 5 ± 5%. The technical performance demands were reduced for misalignment to 10 ± 5%. In general for all quality measures the range could be reduced to ±5%. These new demands reflect what an orthopaedic workshop outside of a teaching system should be able to attain.

scholarly journals The Clean pilot study: evaluation of an environmental hygiene intervention bundle in three Tanzanian hospitals

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giorgia Gon ◽  
Abdunoor M. Kabanywanyi ◽  
Petri Blinkhoff ◽  
Simon Cousens ◽  
Stephanie J. Dancer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Low Income ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Surface Cleaning ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Training Period ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Environmental Hygiene ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Healthcare associated infections (HAI) are estimated to affect up to 15% of hospital inpatients in low-income countries (LICs). A critical but often neglected aspect of HAI prevention is basic environmental hygiene, particularly surface cleaning and linen management. TEACH CLEAN is an educational intervention aimed at improving environmental hygiene. We evaluated the effectiveness of this intervention in a pilot study in three high-volume maternity and newborn units in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods This study design prospectively evaluated the intervention as a whole, and offered a before-and-after comparison of the impact of the main training. We measured changes in microbiological cleanliness [Aerobic Colony Counts (ACC) and presence of Staphylococcus aureus] using dipslides, and physical cleaning action using gel dots. These were analysed with descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. We used qualitative (focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and semi-structured observation) and quantitative (observation checklist) tools to measure why and how the intervention worked. We describe these findings across the themes of adaptation, fidelity, dose, reach and context. Results Microbiological cleanliness improved during the study period (ACC pre-training: 19%; post-training: 41%). The odds of cleanliness increased on average by 1.33 weekly during the pre-training period (CI = 1.11–1.60), and by 1.08 (CI = 1.03–1.13) during the post-training period. Cleaning action improved only in the pre-training period. Detection of S. aureus on hospital surfaces did not change substantially. The intervention was well received and considered feasible in this context. The major pitfalls in the implementation were the limited number of training sessions at the hospital level and the lack of supportive supervision. A systems barrier to implementation was lack of regular cleaning supplies. Conclusions The evaluation suggests that improvements in microbiological cleanliness are possible using this intervention and can be sustained. Improved microbiological cleanliness is a key step on the pathway to infection prevention in hospitals. Future research should assess whether this bundle is cost-effective in reducing bacterial and viral transmission and infection using a rigorous study design.

scholarly journals COVID-19 in children treated with immunosuppressive medication for kidney diseases

2020 ◽  
pp. archdischild-2020-320616
Author(s):  
Matko Marlais ◽  
Tanja Wlodkowski ◽  
Samhar Al-Akash ◽  
Petr Ananin ◽  
Varun Kumar Bandi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Immunosuppressive Therapy ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Reference Network ◽  
Immunosuppressive Medication ◽  
Immunosuppressive Medications ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundChildren are recognised as at lower risk of severe COVID-19 compared with adults, but the impact of immunosuppression is yet to be determined. This study aims to describe the clinical course of COVID-19 in children with kidney disease taking immunosuppressive medication and to assess disease severity.MethodsCross-sectional study hosted by the European Rare Kidney Disease Reference Network and supported by the European, Asian and International paediatric nephrology societies. Anonymised data were submitted online for any child (age <20 years) with COVID-19 taking immunosuppressive medication for a kidney condition. Study recruited for 16 weeks from 15 March 2020 to 05 July 2020. The primary outcome was severity of COVID-19.Results113 children were reported in this study from 30 different countries. Median age: 13 years (49% male). Main underlying reasons for immunosuppressive therapy: kidney transplant (47%), nephrotic syndrome (27%), systemic lupus erythematosus (10%). Immunosuppressive medications used include: glucocorticoids (76%), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (54%), tacrolimus/ciclosporine A (58%), rituximab/ofatumumab (11%). 78% required no respiratory support during COVID-19 illness, 5% required bi-level positive airway pressure or ventilation. Four children died; all deaths reported were from low-income countries with associated comorbidities. There was no significant difference in severity of COVID-19 based on gender, dialysis status, underlying kidney condition, and type or number of immunosuppressive medications.ConclusionsThis global study shows most children with a kidney disease taking immunosuppressive medication have mild disease with SARS-CoV-2 infection. We therefore suggest that children on immunosuppressive therapy should not be more strictly isolated than children who are not on immunosuppressive therapy.

An overview of body weight of older persons, including the impact on mortality The national health and nutrition examination survey i-epidemiologic follow-up study

1991 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 743-753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan C. Cornoni-Huntley ◽  
Tamara B. Harris ◽  
Donald F. Everett ◽  
Demetrius Albanes ◽  
Marc S. Micozzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
National Health ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Nutrition Examination Survey ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
The Impact

Foreign capital inflows and economic growth: the experience of low-income countries in Sub Saharan Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atif Awad
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Foreign Capital ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Capital Inflows ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Foreign Capital Inflows ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the long-run impact of selected foreign capital inflows, including aid, remittances, foreign direct investment (FDI), trade and debt, on the economic growth of 21 low-income countries in the Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) region, during the period 1990–2018. Design/methodology/approach To obtain this objective and for robust analysis, a parametric approach, which was dynamic ordinary least squares, and a non-parametric technique, which was fully modified ordinary least squares, were used. Findings The results of both models confirmed that, in the long run, trade and aid affected the growth rate of the per capita income in these countries in a positive way. However, external debt seemed to have an adverse influence on such growth. Originality/value First, this is the initial study that has addressed this matter across a homogenous group of countries in the SSA region. Second, while most of the previous studies regarding capital inflows into the SSA region have focused on the impact of only one or two aspects of such foreign capital inflows on growth, the present study, instead, examined the impact of five types of foreign capital inflows (aid, remittances, FDI, trade and debt).

scholarly journals Keeping the Flame Lit: The Value of the Long-Term Permanence of a Science Club

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 132-143
Author(s):  
Miguel García-Guerrero ◽  
Bertha Michel-Sandoval ◽  
Viridiana Esparza-Manrique ◽  
Amelia Rodríguez-Pinedo ◽  
Vianey Raudales-Hernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Communication ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
School Programs ◽  
Science Clubs ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Science Club ◽  
Science Activities

Science clubs are programs that allow people (especially children and youngsters) to meet regularly outside of school programs and engage with science and technology activities. Clubs encourage participants to foster attitudes, capabilities, and knowledge related to STEM fields with the goal of promoting interest and passion about science. As such programs provide big opportunities to improve the impact of public communication of science activities, it is really important to look at the impacts of such programs. Quark Group runs the Children Science Club since 2002, and up to 2016, it developed science recreation activities with 711 children and young people. In order to establish the influence the club had on its participants, we conducted a survey that provided 244 answers. This article presents the findings of this follow-up study.

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