Prospective Surveillance of Primary Healthcare Presentations for Scabies and Bacterial Skin Infections in Fiji, 2018–2019

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Jun Thean ◽  
Lucia Romani ◽  
Daniel Engelman ◽  
Adam Jenney ◽  
Handan Wand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
New Public Health ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
New Public ◽  
Public Health Strategies ◽  
Bacterial Skin Infections ◽  
Primary Health Facilities

Scabies, impetigo, and other skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are highly prevalent in many tropical, low-middle income settings, but information regarding their burden of disease is scarce. We conducted a surveillance of presentations of scabies and SSTIs, including impetigo, abscesses, cellulitis, and severe SSTI, to primary health facilities in Fiji. We established a monthly reporting system over the course of 50 weeks (July 2018–June 2019) for scabies and SSTIs at all 42 public primary health facilities in the Northern Division of Fiji (population, ≈131,914). For each case, information was collected regarding demographics, diagnosis, and treatment. There were 13,736 individual primary healthcare presentations with scabies, SSTI, or both (108.3 presentations per 1000 person-years; 95% confidence interval [CI], 106.6–110 presentations). The incidence was higher for males than for females (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.15; 95% CI, 1.11–1.19). Children younger than 5 years had the highest incidence among all age groups (339.1 per 1000 person-years). The incidence was higher among the iTaukei (indigenous) population (159.9 per 1000 person-years) compared with Fijians of Indian descent (30.1 per 1000 person-years; IRR, 5.32; 95% CI, 5.03–5.61). Abscesses had the highest incidence (63.5 per 1,000 person-years), followed by scabies (28.7 per 1,000 person-years) and impetigo (21.6 per 1,000 person-years). Scabies and SSTIs impose a substantial burden in Fiji and represent a high incidence of primary health presentations in this population. The incidence in low-middle income settings is up to 10-times higher than that in high-income settings. New public health strategies and further research are needed to address these conditions.

scholarly journals Improving Tanzanian childbirth service quality

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 190-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennie Jaribu ◽  
Suzanne Penfold ◽  
Cathy Green ◽  
Fatuma Manzi ◽  
Joanna Schellenberg
Keyword(s):  
Health Facility ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Rural District ◽  
Local Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Primary Health Facilities ◽  
Childbirth Care

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe a quality improvement (QI) intervention in primary health facilities providing childbirth care in rural Southern Tanzania. Design/methodology/approach A QI collaborative model involving district managers and health facility staff was piloted for 6 months in 4 health facilities in Mtwara Rural district and implemented for 18 months in 23 primary health facilities in Ruangwa district. The model brings together healthcare providers from different health facilities in interactive workshops by: applying QI methods to generate and test change ideas in their own facilities; using local data to monitor improvement and decision making; and health facility supervision visits by project and district mentors. The topics for improving childbirth were deliveries and partographs. Findings Median monthly deliveries increased in 4 months from 38 (IQR 37-40) to 65 (IQR 53-71) in Mtwara Rural district, and in 17 months in Ruangwa district from 110 (IQR 103-125) to 161 (IQR 148-174). In Ruangwa health facilities, the women for whom partographs were used to monitor labour progress increased from 10 to 57 per cent in 17 months. Research limitations/implications The time for QI innovation, testing and implementation phases was limited, and the study only looked at trends. The outcomes were limited to process rather than health outcome measures. Originality/value Healthcare providers became confident in the QI method through engagement, generating and testing their own change ideas, and observing improvements. The findings suggest that implementing a QI initiative is feasible in rural, low-income settings.

scholarly journals Heterogeneity in Average Cost per Patient with type 2 Diabetes at Primary Health Facilities in Mexico: Comparing Comprehensive Diabetes Management Medical Offices with General Practice

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Arantxa Colchero ◽  
Rousellinne Gómez ◽  
Ruy López-Ridaura ◽  
Daniel López-Hernández ◽  
Iyari Sánchez-Díaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Diabetes Care ◽  
Diabetes Management ◽  
Unit Cost ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Patient Knowledge ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Unit Costs ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Primary Health Facilities

Abstract Background. Despite the high health and financial burden imposed by diabetes in Mexico, few studies have estimated the cost per patient treated. The objective of this study was to estimate the average annual cost per patient (unit cost) with diabetes among 60 primary health facilities in Mexico comparing comprehensive diabetes management medical offices (MIDE) and those from general practice (Non-MIDE). Methods. We described the variation in unit costs across these two types of medical offices and explored factors associated. Unit costs were the sum of staff, medications, laboratory tests, and equipment. We show descriptive statistics to analyze the heterogeneity of unit costs, and the distribution of total costs by input and the distribution of staff costs by personnel all by medical office. We estimated a multivariate linear regression model to explore factors associated with the unit costs. Results. Unit costs vary from $267.2 USD in Non-MIDE offices to $410.6 for MIDE. Unit costs were negatively associated with scale, Non-MIDE offices, medical competence, patient knowledge of diabetes and positively associated with comorbidities. Conclusions. Results from this study might help design more efficient programs for diabetes care in primary health facilities to reduce the burden of diabetes in the system. Investing in staff training and educational interventions to increase patient knowledge of diabetes could be promising interventions to reduce diabetes care costs in primary care settings.

Exempting the state and responsibilizing individuals during pandemic governance: Analyzing the health minister’s responses to the Covid-19 pandemic in Turkey

2021 ◽  
pp. 136345932110607
Author(s):  
G Ezgi Akguloglu ◽  
Gulcin Con Wright
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Collective Actions ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
The Public ◽  
New Public Health ◽  
New Public ◽  
Unique Nature ◽  
Primary Focus ◽  
Public Health Strategies

The COVID-19 pandemic pushed the governments of the world to implement different regulative and protective measures. Although these measures required serious re-considerations of public health strategies, they were still grounded on pre-existing contexts of countries’ health systems, namely the “new public health” paradigm. Turkey’s neoliberal health reforms since 2003 coincide with the principles of this paradigm’s trends toward marketizing services and responsibilizing individuals; yet the Turkish context of the pandemic also stands out due to its mixed and unique form of governance. Utilizing the tweets of the Turkish Health Minister between March 13th and October 1st, 2020, we conducted a thematic qualitative analysis investigating the Turkish state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our analysis revealed that state responsibility was framed around building new pandemic hospitals, informing the public, and building trust. Conversely, his tweets assigned Turkish individuals an active role in shaping pandemic outcomes through their “informed” and “empowered” agency. Finally, he coined “togetherness,” referring to the sum of individual actions, as an indispensable goal in assuring public compliance with precautions. The Minister’s tweets reflect the unique nature of pandemic governance in Turkey with a relatively imposing and swift response of centralized power but a primary focus on “responsibilized” individuals’ collective actions.

scholarly journals The Nutritional Status of Adult Antiretroviral Therapy Recipients with a Recent HIV Diagnosis; A Cross-Sectional Study in Primary Health Facilities in Gauteng, South Africa

Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 290
Author(s):  
Khabo Mahlangu ◽  
Perpetua Modjadji ◽  
Sphiwe Madiba
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
The Body ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Primary Health Facilities

The study determined the nutritional status of adult antiretroviral therapy (ART) recipients, and investigated the association between the duration on ART and the nutritional status. This study was based in primary health facilities in Gauteng, South Africa. The data collected included sociodemographic variables; the duration of the treatment; and the body mass index (BMI), classified as undernutrition (<18.5 kg/m2), normal (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), or overweight/obesity (≥25 kg/m2). ART recipients (n = 480) had a mean age of 35 (± 8.4SD) years. All had taken ART for six months or more (range 6–48 months). The data were analyzed using STATA 13.0. The overall prevalence of overweight/obesity was 39%, it was higher in females (46%) than in males (30%), 26% were overweight, and 13% were obese. Underweight was 13%, and was higher in males (18%) than females (9%). Being overweight was more likely in those aged ≥35 years and those in smaller households. Being obese was less likely in males, in the employed, and in those with a higher income, but was more likely in those with a longer duration on ART. Abdominal obesity was high, but less likely in males. Interventions to prevent overweight/obesity should be integrated into routine HIV care, while at the same time addressing the burden of undernutrition among ART recipients.

scholarly journals Results of a tuberculin skin testing survey in Albania

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (03) ◽  
pp. 310-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasan Hafizi ◽  
Anila Aliko ◽  
Elda Sharra ◽  
Albana Fico ◽  
Giovanni Battista Migliori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Skin Testing ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Tuberculin Skin Testing ◽  
Tuberculosis Transmission ◽  
New Public Health ◽  
New Public ◽  
Latent Tb ◽  
Latent Tb Infection ◽  
Public Health Strategies

Introduction: Tuberculosis affected about 8.5 million patients in 2011. Numerous efforts are needed to reduce the pool of individuals with latent TB infection (LTBI). The aim of the study was to describe a tuberculin skin testing (TST) survey carried out in Albania to estimate the LTBI burden; furthermore, knowledge of TB was evaluated through an ad hoc questionnaire. Methodology: A TST survey was performed in three geographical districts of Albania: Tirana-Kamez, Vlora, and Dibra. Cluster sampling was carried out of young Albanian students. In addition, the same students were given a questionnaire to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and any misconceptions about TB. The mean (standard deviation) age of the individuals, according to their educational level, was the following: grade five, 11.03 (0.18) years; grade six, 12.02 (0.17) years; and grade seven, 13.02 (0.16) years. Results: The TST induration size was read in 4,648 students. About 5.0% showed a reaction >5 mm, with a significant variability in the districts selected (12.1% in the district of Dibra). An induration diameter >15 mm was found mainly in those areas with high TB incidence (i.e., Tirana-Kamez and Dibra). About 13% of the students had no knowledge of TB. Conclusion: LTBI prevalent cases are estimated to be low in Albania, although there are areas where the TB management should be improved to reduce the probability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission. The level of knowledge about TB disease is inadequate and new public health strategies should be implemented, focusing on educational TV programs.

scholarly journals Implementing standard antenatal care interventions: health system cost at primary health facilities in Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amisa Tindamanyile Chamani ◽  
Amani Thomas Mori ◽  
Bjarne Robberstad
Keyword(s):  
Standard Model ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
System Cost ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Health System Cost ◽  
The Standard Model ◽  
Health Centres ◽  
Primary Health Facilities

Abstract Background Since 2002, Tanzania has been implementing the focused Antenatal Care (ANC) model that recommended four antenatal care visits. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) reintroduced the standard ANC model with more interventions including a minimum of eight contacts. However, cost-implications of these changes to the health system are unknown, particularly in countries like Tanzania, that failed to optimally implement the simpler focused ANC model. We compared the health system cost of providing ANC under the focused and the standard models at primary health facilities in Tanzania. Methods We used a micro-costing approach to identify and quantify resources used to implement the focused ANC model at six primary health facilities in Tanzania from July 2018 to June 2019. We also used the standard ANC implementation manual to identify and quantify additional resources required. We used basic salary and allowances to value personnel time while the Medical Store Department price catalogue and local market prices were used for other resources. Costs were collected in Tanzanian shillings and converted to 2018 US$. Results The health system cost of providing ANC services at six facilities (2 health centres and 4 dispensaries) was US$185,282 under the focused model. We estimated that the cost would increase by about 90% at health centres and 97% at dispensaries to US$358,290 by introducing the standard model. Personnel cost accounted for more than one third of the total cost, and more than two additional nurses are required per facility for the standard model. The costs per pregnancy increased from about US$33 to US$63 at health centres and from about US$37 to US$72 at dispensaries. Conclusion Introduction of a standard ANC model at primary health facilities in Tanzania may double resources requirement compared to current practice. Resources availability has been one of the challenges to effective implementation of the current focused ANC model. More research is required, to consider whether the additional costs are reasonable compared to the additional value for maternal and child health.

scholarly journals Kemampuan Klinik Pratama dalam Menangani 195 Diagnosis di Kota Surabaya

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-19
Author(s):  
Eka Fitria Sari ◽  
Faihatul Mukhbitin ◽  
Ernawaty Ernawaty
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Cost Containment ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Primary Care Clinics ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Clinical Diagnoses ◽  
The Right ◽  
Primary Health Facilities

Head of Surabaya City Health Department Decree No.440/19547/436.3/2016 is based on Indonesian Minister of Health Decree No.HK.02.02/MENKES/514/2015. The regulation explains the need for the management of 195 clinical diagnoses in primary health facilities because it is related to the primary health facilities' capability to handle 195 clinical diagnoses. The RRNS achievement table in January-May 2017 shows that primary care clinics were primary health facilities that occupy the unsafe zone (RRNS>5%) namely 16.68% in Surabaya City. The research objective is to analyze the primary care clinics' capability in Surabaya City to handle the 195 clinical diagnoses. This research used a descriptive cross-sectional design in four primary care clinics with 20 people sampled. The results showed that all clinics had not been able to provide complete services. Clinical doctors had good capabilities in accordance with the Head of Surabaya City Health Department Decree No.440/19547/436.3/2016 but were not supported by the completeness of supply following the Indonesia Minister of Health Decree No.HK.02.02/MENKES/514/2015. In conclusion, only 65 (≤33%) clinical diagnoses can be handled properly with the imbalance between the doctors' capabilities and completeness of supply. This research suggests the regulation makers must also review the primary care clinics' capability to provide supplies and clinics can determine the right cost-containment strategy to handle 195 clinical diagnoses. Abstrak SK Kadinkes Kota Surabaya No.440/19547/436.3/2016 didasari oleh Kepmenkes RI No.HK.02.02/MENKES/514/2015. Peraturan yang menjelaskan tentang kebutuhan penatalaksanaan penanganan 195 diagnosis klinis di FKTP karena berkaitan dengan kemampuan FKTP melakukan penanganan. Tabel pencapaian RRNS bulan Januari-Mei 2017 menunjukkan klinik pratama merupakan jenis FKTP yang paling banyak menempati zona tidak aman (RRNS>5%) yakni 16,68% di Surabaya. Penelitian bertujuan menganalisis kemampuan klinik pratama di Kota Surabaya dalam menangani 195 diagnosis klinis. Penelitian menggunakan desain crosssectional deskriptif di empat klinik pratama dengan sampel 20 orang. Hasil menunjukkan semua klinik yang diteliti belum mampu menyediakan pelayanan secara lengkap. Dokter klinik memiliki kemampuan yang baik sesuai SK Kadinkes Kota Surabaya No.440/19547/436.3/2016 tetapi tidak didukung dengan kelengkapan supply yang dibutuhkan sesuai Kepmenkes RI No.HK.02.02/MENKES/514/2015. Kesimpulannya, diagnosis klinis yang dapat ditangani dengan baik hanya sebanyak 65 (≤33%) dengan hambatan ketidakseimbangan antara kemampuan dokter dan kelengkapan supply. Penelitian ini menyarankan pembuat kebijakan juga meninjau kemampuan klinik dalam menyediakan supply dan klinik dapat menentukan strategi cost containment yang tepat untuk menangani 195 diagnosis klinis.

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