scholarly journals The Regional assessment of the implementation of wheat flour fortification in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (03) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayoub Eid Al Jawaldeh
Keyword(s):  
Wheat Flour ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Current State ◽  
Regional Workshop ◽  
Key Indicators

Background: Wheat flour fortification is a preventive food-based approach aimed at reducing vitamin and mineral deficiencies or insufficiencies and their consequences. Fortification of industrially processed wheat flour, when appropriately implemented, is a simple, inexpensive and effective strategy for supplying vitamins and minerals to large segments of the world’s population. Objectives: The main objective of the study was to assess the current state of wheat flour fortification in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, identify common challenges and lessons learned from country experiences, outline the latest guidance on best practices, and make recommendations to advance appropriate wheat flour fortification in the Region. Methods: A questionnaire was designed to assess progress on the implementation of flour fortification in the Eastern Mediterranean Region according to key indicators. The questionnaire was circulated to the nutrition focal points within the Ministry of Health (MOH) in all countries of the Region. The data were extracted, analyzed and discussed in a regional Workshop organized by WHO in 2017.  Data were verified or gaps were filled through other potential resources, such as MOH websites, WHO, World Bank, the Food Fortification Initiative and CDC. Results: The study shows that flour fortification has been widely used in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Most countries (17 of 22 in the Region) have some coverage of wheat flour fortified with iron and folic acid, and this is mandatory in 11 countries. Eight countries fortify flour with B-vitamins. Fortification with vitamin D, vitamin A and zinc is currently rare (two countries in each case). Quality control and monitoring of wheat flour is still a big challenge in all countries. Conclusion and recommendations: Considerable progress has been made in tackling micronutrient deficiencies, and wheat flour fortification has contributed to this. However, given that micronutrient deficiencies persist in the Region further progress is needed. Furthermore, countries need to review their policies and practices to ensure that they are in line with WHO guidance on best practice and that wheat flour fortification is being appropriately implemented.

scholarly journals Are Countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region on Track towards Meeting the World Health Assembly Target for Anemia? A Review of Evidence

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2449
Author(s):  
Ayoub Al-Jawaldeh ◽  
Mandy Taktouk ◽  
Radhouene Doggui ◽  
Zahra Abdollahi ◽  
Baseer Achakzai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
World Health ◽  
Deficiency Anemia ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
World Health Assembly ◽  
The World

Anemia is a multifactorial condition, with a complex etiology that involves nutritional and non-nutritional factors. The misconception that iron deficiency is equivalent to anemia may mask the need to address other potential causative factors. This review paper aims to (1) assess the burden of anemia vs. iron deficiency anemia (IDA) amongst women of reproductive age (WRA), pregnant women (PW), and children under five years old (underfive children, U5C) in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR); (2) evaluate trends in anemia prevalence and whether countries are on track towards meeting the World Health Assembly (WHA) target for 2025; and (3) characterize anemia reduction efforts and provide a road map for future programs. A search of pertinent literature and databases was conducted. Anemia prevalence in the EMR ranged between 22.6% and 63% amongst PW, 27% and 69.6% amongst WRA, and 23.8% and 83.5% amongst U5C. Data showed that the EMR is not on course towards meeting the WHA target. The contribution of IDA to anemia was found to be less than half. Other potential contributors to anemia in the region were identified, including micronutrient deficiencies, parasitic infestations, and poor sanitation. A framework of action was proposed as a roadmap to meet the targets set by the WHA.

scholarly journals Influenza research in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: the current state and the way forward

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 914-921 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghazi Kayali ◽  
Richard J. Webby ◽  
Dalia Samhouri ◽  
Ali Reza Mafi ◽  
Amal Bassili
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Current State ◽  
The Way

scholarly journals Health promotion/education interventions in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: a rapid evidence review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tahir Turk ◽  
Wasiq Khan
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Noncommunicable Disease ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Health Promotion And Education ◽  
Evidence Review

Background: Health promotion and education (HPE) can be a valuable component of initiatives to promote health and prevent disease in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). Aims: To assess the type and scope of HPE interventions in the EMR and synthesize lessons learned. Methods: A rapid review was conducted with a PICOS (participants, interventions, comparisons, outcomes and study approaches) framework guiding approaches. Results: A growing interest in HPE approaches in the EMR was identified, with the majority of studies published within the past 5 years. Few high-quality studies were identified. Formative research predominated with nearly half of the studies recommending the need for scaling up of HPE interventions. There was also an underemphasis on implementation and evaluation of priority HPE interventions contributing to the major burdens of disease. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need to: (1) up-scale resource-efficient HPE interventions; (2) implement HPE programmes addressing noncommunicable disease priorities; and (3) capacity building to operationalize high-quality interventions and evaluations.

scholarly journals Global Prevalence Estimates of Toxascaris leonina Infection in Dogs and Cats

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 503
Author(s):  
Ali Rostami ◽  
Seyed Mohammad Riahi ◽  
Vahid Fallah Omrani ◽  
Tao Wang ◽  
Andreas Hofmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Global Prevalence ◽  
Stray Cats ◽  
Prevalence Estimates ◽  
Meta Regression ◽  
Paratenic Hosts ◽  
Toxascaris Leonina

Toxascaris leonina is an ascaridoid nematode of dogs and cats; this parasite affects the health of these animals. This study estimated the global prevalence of Ta. leonina infection in dogs and cats using random effects meta-analysis as well as subgroup, meta-regression and heterogeneity analyses. The data were stratified according to geographical region, the type of dogs and cats and environmental variables. A quantitative analysis of 135 published studies, involving 119,317 dogs and 25,364 cats, estimated prevalence rates of Ta. leonina in dogs and cats at 2.9% and 3.4%, respectively. Prevalence was highest in the Eastern Mediterranean region (7.2% for dogs and 10.0% for cats) and was significantly higher in stray dogs (7.0% vs. 1.5%) and stray cats (7.5% vs. 1.8%) than in pets. The findings indicate that, worldwide, ~26 million dogs and ~23 million cats are infected with Ta. leonina; these animals would shed substantial numbers of Ta. leonina eggs into the environment each year and might represent reservoirs of infection to other accidental or paratenic hosts. It is important that populations of dogs and cats as well as other canids and felids be monitored and dewormed for Ta. leonina and (other) zoonotic helminths.

scholarly journals Primary care healthcare policy implementation in the Eastern Mediterranean region; experiences of six countries: Part II

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Nagwa Nashat ◽  
Redouane Hadjij ◽  
Abdul Munem Al Dabbagh ◽  
Mohammed Rasoul Tarawneh ◽  
Huda Alduwaisan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Policy Implementation ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Healthcare Policy
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