scholarly journals Product Space Perspective on Structural Change in Morocco

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Israel Osorio Rodarte ◽  
Hans Lofgren

AbstractDrawing on international trade data, this paper uses the product space approach to analyze changes in Morocco’s goods exports in 1990–2010 and future export priorities. The level and moderate growth of Morocco’s gross domestic product match the predictions of product space analysis, informed by changes in the income potential of Morocco’s export basket, reflecting relatively strong capabilities in products with a relatively low potential to contribute to income growth and diversification. Morocco’s peripheral position in the product space points to the difficulty of diversification into more sophisticated products. Encouraging changes since 1990 include the development of a revealed comparative advantage in medium- and high-tech manufactures. However, the number of goods involved is relatively small and this transformation has not sufficed to raise per capita growth to the average for middle-income countries. Among sectors, high growth is likely for phosphate-based fertilizer exports. However, phosphates are hampered by low income and diversification potentials. Along with various other manufactured products, electronics and the automotive industry are promising sectors that may offer more lasting positive contributions. Beyond goods, policy makers should also consider the potential contributions of service exports, which in recent years have enjoyed rapid growth.

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (Suppl 4) ◽  
pp. e000890 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kumanan Rasanathan ◽  
Vincent Atkins ◽  
Charles Mwansambo ◽  
Agnès Soucat ◽  
Sara Bennett

Drawing on experiences reviewed in the accompanying supplement and other literature, we present an agenda for the way forward for policy-makers, managers, civil society and development partners to govern multisectoral action for health in low-income and middle-income countries and consider how such an agenda might be realised. We propose the following key strategies: understand the key actors and political ecosystem, including type of multisectoral action required and mapping incentives, interests and hierarchies; frame the issue in the most strategic manner; define clear roles with specific sets of interventions according to sector; use existing structures unless there is a compelling reason not to do so; pay explicit attention to the roles of non-state sectors; address conflicts of interest and manage tradeoffs; distribute leadership; develop financing and monitoring systems to encourage collaboration; strengthen implementation processes and capacity; and support mutual learning and implementation research. To support countries to strengthen governance for multisectoral action, the global community can assist by further developing technical tools and convening peer learning by policy-makers (particularly from beyond the health sector), supporting knowledge management and sharing of experiences in multisectoral action beyond health, developing an agenda for and execution of implementation research and, finally, driving multilateral and bilateral development partners to transcend their own silos and work in a more multisectoral manner.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. e001560
Author(s):  
Carinne Brody ◽  
Say Sok ◽  
Sovannary Tuot ◽  
Marija Pantelic ◽  
Enrique Restoy ◽  
...  

IntroductionThis systematic review aims to determine if combination HIV prevention programmes include outcome measures for empowerment, inclusion and agency to demand equal rights and measure the relationship between empowerment and HIV prevention outcomes.MethodsAn electronic literature search of PubMed, POPLINE, Index Medicus and Google Scholar was conducted between August and October 2018. We included studies that evaluated combination prevention programmes that had all three types of intervention components and that specifically serve members of populations disproportionately affected by HIV published from 2008 to 2018. The selected studies were screened for inclusion, and relevant data abstracted, assessed for bias and synthesised.ResultsThis review included a total of 15 studies. Findings indicate that combination HIV prevention programmes for marginalised populations have delivered a variety of theory-based behavioural and structural interventions that support improvements in empowerment, inclusion and agency. However, empowerment, inclusion and least of all agency are not measured consistently or in a standardised way. In addition, analysis of their relationships with HIV prevention outcomes is rare. Out of our 15 included studies, only two measured a relationship between an empowerment, inclusion or agency outcome and an HIV prevention outcome.ConclusionThese findings suggest that policy-makers, programme planners and researchers might need to consider the intermediate steps on the pathway to increased condom use and HIV testing so as to explain the ‘how’ of their achievements and inform future investments in HIV prevention. This will support replication and expansion of programmes and ensure sustainability of the programmes.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018106909


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e041254
Author(s):  
Caitlin R Dean ◽  
Hyke Bierma ◽  
Ria Clarke ◽  
Brian Cleary ◽  
Patricia Ellis ◽  
...  

ObjectiveThere are many uncertainties surrounding the aetiology, treatment and sequelae of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). Prioritising research questions could reduce research waste, helping researchers and funders direct attention to those questions which most urgently need addressing. The HG priority setting partnership (PSP) was established to identify and rank the top 25 priority research questions important to both patients and clinicians.MethodsFollowing the James Lind Alliance (JLA) methodology, an HG PSP steering group was established. Stakeholders representing patients, carers and multidisciplinary professionals completed an online survey to gather uncertainties. Eligible uncertainties related to HG. Uncertainties on nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and those on complementary treatments were not eligible. Questions were verified against the evidence. Two rounds of prioritisation included an online ranking survey and a 1-hour consensus workshop.Results1009 participants (938 patients/carers, 118 professionals with overlap between categories) submitted 2899 questions. Questions originated from participants in 26 different countries, and people from 32 countries took part in the first prioritisation stage. 66 unique questions emerged, which were evidence checked according to the agreed protocol. 65 true uncertainties were narrowed via an online ranking survey to 26 unranked uncertainties. The consensus workshop was attended by 19 international patients and clinicians who reached consensus on the top 10 questions for international researchers to address. More patients than professionals took part in the surveys but were equally distributed during the consensus workshop. Participants from low-income and middle-income countries noted that the priorities may be different in their settings.ConclusionsBy following the JLA method, a prioritised list of uncertainties relevant to both HG patients and their clinicians has been identified which can inform the international HG research agenda, funders and policy-makers. While it is possible to conduct an international PSP, results from developed countries may not be as relevant in low-income and middle-income countries.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e050766
Author(s):  
Chinwe Onuegbu ◽  
Maxwell Larweh ◽  
Jenny Harlock ◽  
Frances Griffiths

ObjectivesLay consultation is the process of discussing a symptom or an illness with lay social network members. This can have positive or negative consequences on health-seeking behaviours. Understanding how consultation with lay social networks works in informal urban settlements of low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) is important to enable health and policy-makers to maximise its potential to aid healthcare delivery and minimise its negative impacts. This study explored the composition, content and consequences of lay consultation in informal urban settlements of LMICs.DesignMixed-method systematic review.Data sourcesSix key public health and social science databases, Google Scholar and reference lists of included studies were searched for potential articles.Eligibility criteriaPapers that described discussions with lay informal social network members during symptoms or illness experiences.Data analysis and synthesisQuality assessment was done using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Data were analysed and synthesised using a stepwise thematic synthesis approach involving two steps: identifying themes within individual studies and synthesising themes across studies.Results13 studies were included in the synthesis. Across the studies, three main categories of networks consulted during illness: kin, non-kin associates and significant community groups. Of these, kin networks were the most commonly consulted. The content of lay consultations were: asking for suggestions, negotiating care-seeking decisions, seeking resources and non-disclosure due to personal or social reasons. Lay consultations positively and negatively impacted access to formal healthcare and adherence to medical advice.ConclusionLay consultation is mainly sought from social networks in immediate environments in informal urban settlements of LMICs. Policy-makers and practitioners need to utilise these networks as mediators of healthcare-seeking behaviours.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020205196.


Author(s):  
Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam ◽  
Reshman Tabassum ◽  
Paolo C Colet ◽  
Jonas Preposi Cruz ◽  
Sukhen Dey ◽  
...  

Mental disorders are a major public health challenge globally, contributing to 40% of the global burden of disease. Nevertheless, it remains highly neglected by health planners and policy makers, particularly in low and middle income countries (LMIC). Bangladesh, one of the low-income countries, suffers from a severe shortage of appropriately trained and an adequate number of human resources to provide mental health care. The authors reviewed available evidence on the dynamics of mental health services in LMIC like Bangladesh, with a view to help develop appropriate policies on human resources. This chapter critically examines the current situation of human resources for mental health in Bangladesh, and explores ways to further strengthen human resources so as to enhance mental health services in the country.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. e001257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olakunle Alonge ◽  
Daniela Cristina Rodriguez ◽  
Neal Brandes ◽  
Elvin Geng ◽  
Ludovic Reveiz ◽  
...  

This paper examines the characteristics of implementation research (IR) efforts in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) by describing how key IR principles and concepts have been used in published health research in LMICs between 1998 and 2016, with focus on how to better apply these principles and concepts to support large-scale impact of health interventions in LMICs. There is a stark discrepancy between principles of IR and what has been published. Most IR studies have been conducted under conditions where the researchers have considerable influence over implementation and with extra resources, rather than in ‘real world’ conditions. IR researchers tend to focus on research questions that test a proof of concept, such as whether a new intervention is feasible or can improve implementation. They also tend to use traditional fixed research designs, yet the usual conditions for managing programmes demand continuous learning and change. More IR in LMICs should be conducted under usual management conditions, employ pragmatic research paradigm and address critical implementation issues such as scale-up and sustainability of evidence-informed interventions. This paper describes some positive examples that address these concerns and identifies how better reporting of IR studies in LMICs would include more complete descriptions of strategies, contexts, concepts, methods and outcomes of IR activities. This will help practitioners, policy-makers and other researchers to better learn how to implement large-scale change in their own settings.


2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay J Mangham ◽  
Kara Hanson ◽  
Barbara McPake

Abstract Understanding the preferences of patients and health professionals is useful for health policy and planning. Discrete choice experiments (DCEs) are a quantitative technique for eliciting preferences that can be used in the absence of revealed preference data. The method involves asking individuals to state their preference over hypothetical alternative scenarios, goods or services. Each alternative is described by several attributes and the responses are used to determine whether preferences are significantly influenced by the attributes and also their relative importance. DCEs are widely used in high-income contexts and are increasingly being applied in low- and middle-income countries to consider a range of policy concerns. This paper aims to provide an introduction to DCEs for policy-makers and researchers with little knowledge of the technique. We outline the stages involved in undertaking a DCE, with an emphasis on the design considerations applicable in a low-income setting.


Author(s):  
Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam ◽  
Reshman Tabassum ◽  
Paolo C Colet ◽  
Jonas Preposi Cruz ◽  
Sukhen Dey ◽  
...  

Mental disorders are a major public health challenge globally, contributing to 40% of the global burden of disease. Nevertheless, it remains highly neglected by health planners and policy makers, particularly in low and middle income countries (LMIC). Bangladesh, one of the low-income countries, suffers from a severe shortage of appropriately trained and an adequate number of human resources to provide mental health care. The authors reviewed available evidence on the dynamics of mental health services in LMIC like Bangladesh, with a view to help develop appropriate policies on human resources. This chapter critically examines the current situation of human resources for mental health in Bangladesh, and explores ways to further strengthen human resources so as to enhance mental health services in the country.


2022 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e007466
Author(s):  
Caesar Alimisnya Atuire ◽  
Sofía P Salas ◽  
Katharine Wright ◽  
J Radeino Ambe ◽  
Jantina de Vries

As healthcare authorities around the world strive to get as many citizens as possible vaccinated against the SAR-CoV-2 virus, many countries have begun including children in the population groups to be vaccinated. Properly designed clinical trials involving children are important to ensure safety, efficacy, and dosage of therapies in (developing) children. Within the complex health, social, and political scenario of the ongoing pandemic, ethics committees and policy makers in low-income and middle-income settings need to consider additional ethical questions when called on to review phase III COVID-19 vaccine trials involving in children. We set out some of the ethical questions to keep in mind before, during, and after the implementation of phase III COVID-19 vaccine trials in limited resource settings. Specifically, we discuss and offer succinct answers to the following questions: How relevant will the trial vaccine be for the population participating in the trial? Should vaccines that have not been approved for use among adults be approved for use in trials with children? Which children should be involved in COVID-19 vaccine trials? What criteria of informed consent are to be adopted with minors? Placebo versus an existing already approved vaccine? What specific duties of ancillary care should be taken into consideration for COVID-19 vaccines especially in low-income and middle-income countries? The answers we offer are considerations that can serve as ‘things to think about’ when reviewing or implementing COVID-19 trials involving children in low-income settings.


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