scholarly journals Health Literacy and Health Behavior Among Women in Ghazni, Afghanistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie Harsch ◽  
Asadullah Jawid ◽  
Ebrahim Jawid ◽  
Luis Saboga-Nunes ◽  
Kristine Sørensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Public Health Challenge ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Voluntary Basis

Background:Health literacy is a determinant of health and assessed globally to inform the development of health interventions. However, little is known about health literacy in countries with one of the poorest health indicators worldwide, such as Afghanistan. Studies worldwide demonstrate that women play a key role in developing health literacy. Hence, this study's purpose is to explore health literacy of women in Afghanistan and the associated factors.Methods:From May to June 2017, we randomly recruited 7–10 women per day at the hospital in Ghazni, a representative province of Afghanistan. Two trained female interviewers interviewed 322 women (15–61 years old) orally in Dari or Pashto on a voluntary basis and assessed their health literacy using the HLS-EU-Q16, associated socio-demographics, and health behavior.Results:Health literacy of women (among educated and illiterates) is low even compared to other Asian countries. Health literacy is linked to age and education. We found mixed evidence of the relationship between health literacy and contextual factors, help-seeking, and health-related behavior.Conclusion:This study provides novel data on health literacy and astonishing insights into its association with health behavior of women in Afghanistan, thus contributing to health status. The study calls for recognition of health literacy as a public health challenge be addressed in Afghanistan and other low-income countries affected by crises.

Assessment of knowledge and practice of vaccination of dogs against rabies by dog owners in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Audu Onyemocho ◽  
Agwa Moses ◽  
Aboh Kisani ◽  
Omole Namben Victoria ◽  
Anejo-Okopi Joseph
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Life Time ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Educational Status ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Knowledge And Practice ◽  
Dog Owners ◽  
The Relationship

Objective: Rabies, one of the oldest and fatal infectious diseases known to human race, is transmitted by infected dogs. The global target of zero dog-mediated rabies human deaths has been set for 2030; however, the realization of this goal poses challenges in most low-income countries where rabies is endemic due to weak surveillance. Dogs have been increasingly deployed for domestic uses over the years, especially for security purposes. This study assessed the assessment of knowledge and practice of vaccination of dogs against rabies by dog owners. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study was employed to study 400 dog owners in Makurdi metropolis through multistage sampling techniques. Sighting of valid dog vaccination card was used as criteria for current vaccination. Bivariate analysis was carried out to establish the relationship between the respondent knowledge of rabies and dog vaccination with significant value set at P < 0.05. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 31 (Â ± 0.8) years, majority of them had tertiary and secondary education (40.0% and 39.0%, respectively), 26.0% were traders, and 50.0% were married. Overall, 73.0% of the respondents had good knowledge score, 61.0% had seen at least a rabid dog in their life time, and 74.0% have a history of dog vaccination, but evidence of up to date vaccination of dogs by owners was seen in only 18.0% of all the vaccination cards sighted. The relationship between the educational status of the respondents, their knowledge score, and their dog vaccination was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Knowledge of rabies among dog owners in Makurdi was good, but the practice of dog vaccination was poor. Educational status was a good predictor of practice. Awareness campaign on dog vaccination should be strengthened and adequate measures should be put in place at the veterinary hospitals in Makurdi for vaccination of dogs.

scholarly journals Disparities in the use of a mHealth medication adherence promotion intervention for low-income adults with type 2 diabetes

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyndsay A Nelson ◽  
Shelagh A Mulvaney ◽  
Tebeb Gebretsadik ◽  
Yun-Xian Ho ◽  
Kevin B Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Mhealth Intervention ◽  
Lower Health ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Lower Health Literacy

Abstract Objective Mobile health (mHealth) interventions may improve diabetes outcomes, but require engagement. Little is known about what factors impede engagement, so the authors examined the relationship between patient factors and engagement in an mHealth medication adherence promotion intervention for low-income adults with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Materials and Methods Eighty patients with T2DM participated in a 3-month mHealth intervention called MEssaging for Diabetes that leveraged a mobile communications platform. Participants received daily text messages addressing and assessing medication adherence, and weekly interactive automated calls with adherence feedback and questions for problem solving. Longitudinal repeated measures analyses assessed the relationship between participants’ baseline characteristics and the probability of engaging with texts and calls. Results On average, participants responded to 84.0% of texts and participated in 57.1% of calls. Compared to Whites, non-Whites had a 63% decreased relative odds (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.19-0.73) of participating in calls. In addition, lower health literacy was associated with a decreased odds of participating in calls (AOR = 0.67, 95% CI, 0.46-0.99, P = .04), whereas older age ( Pnonlinear = .01) and more depressive symptoms (AOR = 0.62, 95% CI, 0.38-1.02, P = .059) trended toward a decreased odds of responding to texts. Conclusions Racial/ethnic minorities, older adults, and persons with lower health literacy or more depressive symptoms appeared to be the least engaged in a mHealth intervention. To facilitate equitable intervention impact, future research should identify and address factors interfering with mHealth engagement.

scholarly journals Global Surgery, Obstetric, and Anesthesia Indicator Definitions and Reporting: An Utstein Consensus Report

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justine Ina Davies ◽  
Adrian W. Gelb ◽  
Julian Gore-Booth ◽  
Janet Martin ◽  
Jannicke Mellin-Olsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Data Science ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Obstetric Care ◽  
Global Surgery ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Financial Risk Protection ◽  
Current Time ◽  
Timely Access ◽  
Data Points

Background Indicators to evaluate progress towards timely access to safe surgical, anaesthesia, and obstetric (SAO) care were proposed in 2015 by the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery. Despite being rapidly taken up by practitioners, datapoints from which to derive them were not defined, limiting comparability across time or settings. We convened global experts to evaluate and explicitly define - for the first time - the indicators to improve comparability and support achievement of 2030 goals to improve access to safe affordable surgical and anaesthesia care. Methods and findings The Utstein process for developing and reporting guidelines through a consensus building process was followed. In-person discussions at a two day meeting were followed by an iterative process conducted by email and virtual group meetings until consensus was reached. Participants consisted of experts in surgery, anaesthesia, and obstetric care, data science, and health indicators from high, middle, and low income countries. Considering each of the six indicators in turn, we refined overarching descriptions and agreed upon data points needed for construction of each indicator at current time (basic data points), and as each evolves over 2-5 (intermediate) and &gt;5 year (full) timeframes. We removed one of the original six indicators (one of two financial risk protection indicators was eliminated) and refined descriptions and defined data points required to construct the 5 remaining indicators: geospatial access, workforce, surgical volume, perioperative mortality, and catastrophic expenditure. Conclusions To track global progress toward timely access to quality SAO care, these indicators &ndash; at the basic level - should be implemented universally. Intermediate and full evolutions will assist in developing national surgical plans, and collecting data for research studies.

scholarly journals Is birth weight associated with blood pressure among African children and adolescents? A systematic review

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 270-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Lule ◽  
A. M. Elliott ◽  
L. Smeeth ◽  
E. L. Webb
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
African Children ◽  
The Relationship

There is substantial evidence of an inverse association between birth weight and later blood pressure (BP) in populations from high-income countries, but whether this applies in low-income countries, where causes of low birth weight are different, is not certain. Objective: We conducted a review of the evidence on the relationship between birth weight and BP among African children and adolescents. Medline, EMBASE, Global Health and Web of Science databases were searched for publications to October 2016. Papers reporting the relationship between birth weight and BP among African children and adolescents were assessed. Bibliographies were searched for further relevant publications. Selected papers were summarized following the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. In total, 16 papers from 13 studies conducted in nine African countries (Nigeria, Republic of Seychelles, Gambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, South Africa, Algeria, Zimbabwe and Angola) were reviewed. Eight studies were cohorts, while five were cross-sectional. The relationship between birth weight and later BP varied with age of the participants. Studies in neonates showed a consistently positive association, while predominantly inverse associations were seen among children, and studies in adolescents were inconsistent. Based on the limited number of studies identified, the relationship between birth weight and later BP may vary with age in African children and adolescents. Not all studies adequately controlled for confounding, notably gender or age. Whether the inverse relationship between birth weight and BP in later life observed in Western settings is also seen in Africa remains unclear.

scholarly journals “I Sometimes Ask Patients to Consider Spiritual Care”: Health Literacy and Culture in Mental Health Nursing Practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (19) ◽  
pp. 3589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adwoa Owusuaa Koduah ◽  
Angela Y.M. Leung ◽  
Doris Y.L. Leung ◽  
Justina Y.W. Liu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Psychiatric Hospitals ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Sociocultural Factors ◽  
Literacy Practice

While health literacy influences better outcomes of mental health patients, sociocultural factors shape the nature of the relationship. On this matter, little is known about how sociocultural factors affect health literacy practices of nurses, especially in low-income countries. This paper examines how local precepts, within culture and language, shape mental health nurses’ (MHNs) practice and understanding of patients’ health literacy level in Ghana. The study used a qualitative descriptive design involving 43 MHNs from two psychiatric hospitals. Conventional content analysis was used to analyze the data. Although the MHNs acknowledged the importance of health literacy associated with patients’ health outcomes, their practice was strongly attributed to patients’ substantial reliance on cultural practices and beliefs that led to misinterpretation and non- compliance to treatments. MHNs shared similar sociocultural ideas with patients and admitted that these directed their health literacy practice. Additionally, numerous health system barriers influenced the adoption of health literacy screening tools, as well as the MHNs’ low health literacy skills. These findings suggest MHNs’ direct attention to the broader social determinants of health to enhance the understanding of culture and its impact on health literacy practice.

scholarly journals The burden of serious health-related suffering among cancer decedents: Global projections study to 2060

2020 ◽  
pp. 026921632095756
Author(s):  
Katherine E Sleeman ◽  
Barbara Gomes ◽  
Maja de Brito ◽  
Omar Shamieh ◽  
Richard Harding
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Population Based ◽  
World Health ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Cancer Type ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Health Organization

Background: Palliative care improves outcomes for people with cancer, but in many countries access remains poor. Understanding future needs is essential for effective health system planning in response to global policy. Aim: To project the burden of serious health-related suffering associated with death from cancer to 2060 by age, gender, cancer type and World Bank income region. Design: Population-based projections study. Global projections of palliative care need were derived by combining World Health Organization cancer mortality projections (2016–2060) with estimates of serious health-related suffering among cancer decedents. Results: By 2060, serious health-related suffering will be experienced by 16.3 million people dying with cancer each year (compared to 7.8 million in 2016). Serious health-related suffering among cancer decedents will increase more quickly in low income countries (407% increase 2016–2060) compared to lower-middle, upper-middle and high income countries (168%, 96% and 39% increase 2016-2060, respectively). By 2060, 67% of people who die with cancer and experience serious health-related suffering will be over 70 years old, compared to 47% in 2016. In high and upper-middle income countries, lung cancer will be the single greatest contributor to the burden of serious health-related suffering among cancer decedents. In low and lower-middle income countries, breast cancer will be the single greatest contributor. Conclusions: Many people with cancer will die with unnecessary suffering unless there is expansion of palliative care integration into cancer programmes. Failure to do this will be damaging for the individuals affected and the health systems within which they are treated.

ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN LOW-INCOME COUNTRIES: LESSONS FROM CURRENT RESEARCH AND NEEDS FROM FUTURE RESEARCH

2012 ◽  
Vol 03 (02) ◽  
pp. 1250005 ◽  
Author(s):  
ARUN S. MALIK ◽  
STEPHEN C. SMITH
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Autonomous Adaptation ◽  
Adaptation Decision ◽  
Planned Adaptation ◽  
The Relationship

We put in perspective the papers in this special issue by characterizing different forms of adaptation to climate change and discussing the role of adaptation in a developing country context. We highlight adaptation decision-making under uncertainty, empirics of autonomous adaptation, and data and methodological challenges. We identify unresolved questions, emphasizing interactions between autonomous and planned adaptation, adaptation externalities, and the relationship between adaptation and conflict.

scholarly journals The Role of Population in Economic Growth

SAGE Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 215824401773609 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Wesley F. Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Population Growth ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
High Population Growth ◽  
Economic Analyses ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Lower Population ◽  
Capita Output

The relationship between population growth and economic growth is controversial. This article draws on historical data to chart the links between population growth, growth in per capita output, and overall economic growth over the past 200 years. Low population growth in high-income countries is likely to create social and economic problems while high population growth in low-income countries may slow their development. International migration could help to adjust these imbalances but is opposed by many. Drawing on economic analyses of inequality, it appears that lower population growth and limited migration may contribute to increased national and global economic inequality.

scholarly journals Development Aid and Solidarity Work: East and West German Health Cooperation with Low-Income Countries, 1945 to 1970

Gesnerus ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-187
Author(s):  
Walter Bruchhausen ◽  
Iris Borowy
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
International Health ◽  
Development Aid ◽  
West Germany ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Federal Republic Of Germany ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Strong Position ◽  
Scale Composition

Between 1949 and 1989, both the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in the West and the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in the East, engaged in health-related relations with low-income countries in the global South. The strong position of the churches in West Germany and the dominant position of the state in the East provided the preconditions for diverging international health activities, as did differences in ideology and economic status. Activities entailed similarities (an initial focus on clinical therapy and material donations) and differences (in scale, composition of actors and conceptualization). Programs evolved gradually, reacting to circumstances rather than a master plan. By the late 1960s, international health assistance was mainly organized as a component of “development aid” in the FRG, while regarded as “solidarity” in the GDR, in both cases designed to spur changes in recipient countries according to the respective Northern models as components of a perceived direct, global East-West confrontation.

scholarly journals Article processing charges, the geographic diversity of author communities, and barriers to publication for authors in the Global South

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey Culver Smith ◽  
Leandra Merz ◽  
Jesse B. Borden ◽  
Chris Gulick ◽  
Akhil Ravindra Kshirsagar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
The United States ◽  
Global South ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Editorial Boards ◽  
Geographic Diversity ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Article Processing Charges ◽  
The Relationship

Many OA journals require authors pay an article processing charge (APC), which researchers in the Global South often cite as an insurmountable financial barrier. This has led to speculation that there will be lower representation of these authors in OA journals charging APCs. We used “mirror journals” – APC-charging OA versions of paywalled (PW) titles with whom they share editorial boards and standards for acceptance – to investigate the relationship between APCs and the geographic diversity of authors. Most of the &gt;41,000 articles we reviewed were published in PW journals. Although lead authors were based in &gt;140 countries, ~45% were based in either the United States of America (USA) or China. After correcting for differences in sample size, we found no difference between OA and PW journals in the number of countries in which lead authors were based. After correcting for the dominance of China and the USA, we found that author diversity in OA journals was significantly lower than in PW journals. Most OA articles were written by authors in high-income countries; no articles in OA journals had first authors from low-income countries. Our results suggest APCs are a barrier to OA publication for scientists from the Global South.

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