Melioidosis in Africa: Time to Raise Awareness and Build Capacity for Its Detection, Diagnosis, and Treatment

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Birnie ◽  
Ayorinde James ◽  
Folake Peters ◽  
Makinwa Olajumoke ◽  
Tieble Traore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
World Health ◽  
Meeting Report ◽  
Laboratory Diagnostics ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
International Experts

Melioidosis is a tropical infectious disease caused by the soil-dwelling bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei with a mortality of up to 50% in low resource settings. Only a few cases have been reported from African countries. However, studies on the global burden of melioidosis showed that Africa holds a significant unrecognized disease burden, with Nigeria being at the top of the list. The first World Health Organization African Melioidosis Workshop was organized in Lagos, Nigeria, with representatives of health authorities, microbiology laboratories, and clinical centers from across the continent. Dedicated hands-on training was given on laboratory diagnostics of B. pseudomallei. This meeting report summarizes the objectives discussed, such as raising awareness on melioidosis and building capacity for the detection, diagnosis, biosafety, treatment, and prevention of this dreadful neglected disease across Africa by bringing together regional and international experts to share best practices. It is important to join forces with the African Centers for Disease Control, WHO, African Sepsis Alliance, and Antimicrobial Resistance action plans.

scholarly journals Breast-feeding in sub-Saharan Africa: outlook for 2000

2000 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander RP Walker ◽  
Fatima I Adam
Keyword(s):  
Breast Milk ◽  
Breast Feeding ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
Feeding Practice ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Urban Mothers ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Health Organization

AbstractThe World Health Organization (WHO) has stressed that 1.5 million infants die annually, unnecessarily, from deprival or from insufficiency of breast milk. Hence, the need for its maximal use, very particularly in impoverished populations, such as those in sub-Saharan Africa. In many developed populations, a generation ago the practice was very low, but now it has risen considerably. In contrast, in Africa and in most developing populations, despite the far greater need for breast-feeding, the practice is tending to decrease, especially among urban mothers. While the most common reasons given concern insufficiency of breast milk and employment of mothers, the latter, especially urban mothers, are under strong and increasing pressure to use proprietary replacement foods. These are often made up unsatisfactorily and are contaminated. Also influential are the often less than enthusiastic, and confusing, attitudes of staff at clinics and hospitals, albeit, due in part to their very heavy workloads. Additionally, there is societyp's relatively indifferent attitude to breast-feeding. Currently, a hugely adverse factor is the danger of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transference from seropositive mothers to their infants – in some African countries almost half of antenatal mothers are infected. Chances of early control of the infection are remote. However, apart from this danger, and from the pressure from replacement food companies, the outlook for breast-feeding practice in many African countries is unlikely to improve significantly until greater encouragement is given from State, local and other health authorities.

scholarly journals Influenza vaccination during pregnancy and influencing factors in Korea: A multicenter questionnaire study of pregnant women and obstetrics and gynecology doctors

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Byung Soo Kang ◽  
San Ha Lee ◽  
Woo Jeng Kim ◽  
Jeong Ha Wie ◽  
In Yang Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Influencing Factors ◽  
World Health ◽  
Obstetrics And Gynecology ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
The Government ◽  
Vaccine Information ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Maternal Influenza

Abstract Background Although the World Health Organization and health authorities in most countries recommend that pregnant women receive inactivated influenza virus vaccines, coverage remains low. This study aimed to investigate (1) the proportion of pregnant women who received an influenza vaccination and influencing factors and (2) the proportion of obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) doctors who routinely recommend influenza vaccination to pregnant women and influencing factors. Methods Two separate, anonymized questionnaires were developed for physicians and pregnant and postpartum women and were distributed to multicenters and clinics in South Korea. The proportions of women who received influenza vaccination during pregnancy and OBGYN doctors who routinely recommend the influenza vaccine to pregnant women were analyzed. Independent influencing factors for both maternal influenza vaccination and OBGYN doctors’ routine recommendations to pregnant women were analyzed using log-binomial regression analysis. Results The proportion of self-reported influenza vaccination during pregnancy among 522 women was 63.2%. Pregnancy-related independent factors influencing maternal influenza vaccination were “(ever) received information about influenza vaccination during pregnancy” (OR 8.9, 95% CI 4.17–19.01), “received vaccine information about from OBGYN doctors” (OR 11.44, 95% CI 5.46–24.00), “information obtained from other sources” (OR 4.38, 95% CI 2.01–9.55), and “second/third trimester” (OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.21–4.82).. Among 372 OBGYN doctors, 76.9% routinely recommended vaccination for pregnant women. Independent factors effecting routine recommendation were “working at a private clinic or hospital” (OR 5.33, 95% CI 2.44–11.65), “awareness of KCDC guidelines” (OR 3.11, 95% CI 1.11–8.73), and “awareness of the 2019 national free influenza vaccination program for pregnant women” (OR 4.88, 95% CI 2.34–10.17). OBGYN doctors most commonly chose ‘guidelines proposed by the government or public health (108, 46%) and academic committees (59, 25%), as a factor which expect to affect the future recommendation Conclusion This study showed that providing information about maternal influenza vaccination, especially by OBGYN doctors, is crucial for increasing vaccination coverage in pregnant women. Closer cooperation between the government and OBGYN academic societies to educate OBGYN doctors might enhance routine recommendations.

scholarly journals Meeting report: Initial World Health Organization consultation on herpes simplex virus (HSV) vaccine preferred product characteristics, March 2017

Vaccine ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (50) ◽  
pp. 7408-7418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sami L. Gottlieb ◽  
Birgitte K. Giersing ◽  
Julian Hickling ◽  
Rebecca Jones ◽  
Carolyn Deal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Herpes Simplex Virus ◽  
Herpes Simplex ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
World Health ◽  
Meeting Report ◽  
Product Characteristics ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Simplex Virus

scholarly journals A Scoping Review of Policies Related to the Prevention and Control of Overweight and Obesity in Africa

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 4028
Author(s):  
Theodosia Adom ◽  
Anniza De Villiers ◽  
Thandi Puoane ◽  
André Pascal Kengne
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
World Health ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Food Industries ◽  
Nutrition And Diet ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
And Control

To address the issue of obesity, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a set of comprehensive programmes aimed at changing the obesogenic environments to provide opportunities for healthy food options and increased physical activity in the school, home, and at the population level. The objectives of this study were to examine the nature and range of policies related to overweight and obesity prevention in Africa, and to assess how they align with international guidelines. An existing methodological framework was adapted for this scoping review. A search of publicly available national documents on overweight/obesity, general health, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) was undertaken from relevant websites, including WHO, ministries, and Google Scholar. Additional requests were sent to key contacts at relevant ministries about existing policy documents. The documents were reviewed, and the policies were categorised, using the Analysis Grid for Environments Linked to Obesity (ANGELO) framework. The framework categorises the environmental drivers of obesity into four domains (physical, economic, legislative, and socio-cultural) and two scales: macro (national, regional, sectors, food industries, media, etc.) and micro (household, institutional, and community). This review included documents from 41 African countries. The policy initiatives to prevent overweight/obesity target the school, family and community settings, and macro environments, and broadly align with global recommendations. The NCD documents were in the majority, with only two on obesity. The majority of the documents detailed strategies and key interventions on unhealthy diets and physical inactivity. The physical, legislative, and sociocultural domains were largely featured, with less emphasis on the economic domain. Additionally, nutrition- and diet-related policies were in the majority. Overlaps and interactions of policies were observed in the application of the ANGELO framework. This study has provided information on national policies and programmes in Africa and can be useful as a first point of call for policymakers. The overlapping and interaction in the initiatives demonstrate the importance of multi-sectoral partnerships in providing supportive environments for healthy behaviours.

scholarly journals Global Governance of Anti-microbial Resistance: A Legal and Regulatory Toolkit

2020 ◽  
pp. 401-420
Author(s):  
Calvin W. L. Ho ◽  
Tsung-Ling Lee
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
System Approach ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Agricultural Industry ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Global Action ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Recognizing that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a serious threat to global public health, the World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted a Global Action Plan (GAP) at the May 2015 World Health Assembly. Underscoring that systematic misuse and overuse of drugs in human medicine and food production is a global public health concern, the GAP-AMR urges concerted efforts across governments and private sectors, including pharmaceutical industry, medical professionals, agricultural industry, among others. The GAP has a threefold aim: (1) to ensure a continuous use of effective and safe medicines for treatment and prevention of infectious diseases; (2) to encourage a responsible use of medicines; and (3) to engage countries to develop their national actions on AMR in keeping with the recommendations. While the GAP is a necessary step to enable multilateral actions, it must be supported by effective governance in order to realize the proposed aims. This chapter has a threefold purpose: (1) To identify regulatory principles embedded in key WHO documents relating to AMR and the GAP-AMR; (2) To consider the legal and regulatory actions or interventions that countries could use to strengthen their regulatory lever for AMR containment; and (3) To highlight the crucial role of the regulatory lever in enabling other levers under a whole-of-system approach. Effective AMR containment requires a clearer understanding of how the regulatory lever could be implemented or enabled within health systems, as well as how it underscores and interacts with other levers within a whole-of-system approach.

scholarly journals Comunicando el Cambio Climático desde un Encuadre de Salud = Communicating Climate Change from a Health Frame

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
José Daniel Cáceres Pinto
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
World Health ◽  
Success Story ◽  
Social Actors ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

Resumen: Organismos internacionales coinciden que el cambio climático representa una amenaza para el ser humano, particularmente para su salud. Entidades como la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) y voces de la comunidad científica han venido advirtiendo sobre los efectos que las distor­siones climáticas están teniendo sobre la propagación de enfermedades cuyos vectores dependen de su entorno. Sectores vitales para el desarrollo social como la distribución del agua, la agricultu­ra, y la sanidad pública se están viendo cada vez más amenazados por la vorágine climatológica. Sin embargo, persiste una indiferencia silenciosa en diferentes segmentos sociales que consideran el Cambio Climático como un problema abstracto o simplemente algo muy sobre sus capacidades de resolución. Desactivar este desafecto, concienciar a la población general y movilizar a la toma de acción han sido unos de los retos que diversos actores sociales han asumido. Uno de los casos de éxito que más llama la atención ha sido el uso de encuadres de salud. El siguiente artículo di­secciona el impacto que el Cambio Climático tiene y presenta el caso sobre el uso de la promoción de la salud en EEUU para concienciar sobre la problemática ambiental.Palabras clave: Salud; Cambio Climático; encuadres; mensaje.Abstract: International organizations agree that climate change poses a threat to the human being, parti­cularly to his health. Entities such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and voices from the scientific community have been warning about the effects the climatic distortions are having on the propagation of illnesses which vectors depend on their surroundings. Vital sectors for social development such as water distribution, agriculture, and public health are progressively seeing themselves more threatened by the climatic maelstrom. Nevertheless, an indifferent silence per­sists in different social segments who consider Climate change as an abstract problem or simply something out of their reach to resolve. Deactivating this disaffection, raising awareness in the ge­neral population and mobilize to take action have been some of the challenges social actors have undertaken. One particular success story that grabs the attention is the use of health frames. The following article dissects the impact that Climate Change has and presents the case of the use of health promotion in the USA to raise awareness about the environmental problem.Keywords: Health; Climate Change; Frames; Message.

scholarly journals No Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Circulation in Rome (Italy) during the Pre-Pandemic Period: Results of a Retrospective Surveillance

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (22) ◽  
pp. 8461
Author(s):  
Carlo Capalbo ◽  
Enrico Bertamino ◽  
Alessandro Zerbetto ◽  
Iolanda Santino ◽  
Andrea Petrucca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategies ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Causative Agents ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Health Organization

In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the COVID-19 outbreak recorded over the previous months could be characterized as a pandemic. The first known Italian SARS-CoV-2 positive case was reported on 21 February. In some countries, cases of suspected “COVID-19-like pneumonia” had been reported earlier than those officially accepted by health authorities. This has led many investigators to check preserved biological or environmental samples to see whether the virus was detectable on dates prior to those officially stated. With regard to Italy, the results of a microbiological screening in sewage samples collected between the end of February and the beginning of April 2020 from wastewaters in Milan (Northern Italy) and Rome (Central Italy) showed presence of SARS-CoV-2. In the present study, we evaluated, by means of a standardized diagnostic method, the SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence amongst patients affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARI) in an academic hospital located in Central Italy during the period of 1 November 2019–1 March 2020. Overall, the number of emergency room (ER) visits during the investigated period was 13,843. Of these, 1208 had an influenza-like syndrome, but only 166 matched the definition of SARI as stated in the study protocol. A total of 52 SARI cases were laboratory confirmed as influenza: 26 as a type B virus, 25 as a type A, and 1 as both viruses. Although about 17% of the total sample had laboratory or radiological data compatible with COVID-19, all the nasopharyngeal swabs stored underwent SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR and tested negative. Based on our result, it is confirmed that the COVID-19 pandemic spread did not start prior to the “official” onset in central Italy. Routine monitoring of SARI causative agents at the local level is critical for reporting epidemiologic and etiologic trends that may differ from one country to another and also among different influenza seasons. This has a practical impact on prevention and control strategies.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of the Incremental Costs of Implementing a New Vaccine in the Expanded Program of Immunization in Sub-Saharan Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 238146831989454
Author(s):  
Joe Brew ◽  
Christophe Sauboin
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Interquartile Range ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Vaccine Type ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Cost

Background. The World Health Organization is planning a pilot introduction of a new malaria vaccine in three sub-Saharan African countries. To inform considerations about including a new vaccine in the vaccination program of those and other countries, estimates from the scientific literature of the incremental costs of doing so are important. Methods. A systematic review of scientific studies reporting the costs of recent vaccine programs in sub-Saharan countries was performed. The focus was to obtain from each study an estimate of the cost per dose of vaccine administered excluding the acquisition cost of the vaccine and wastage. Studies published between 2000 and 2018 and indexed on PubMed could be included and results were standardized to 2015 US dollars (US$). Results. After successive screening of 2119 titles, and 941 abstracts, 58 studies with 80 data points (combinations of country, vaccine type, and vaccination approach–routine v. campaign) were retained. Most studies used the so-called ingredients approach as costing method combining field data collection with documented unit prices per cost item. The categorization of cost items and the extent of detailed reporting varied widely. Across the studies, the mean and median cost per dose administered was US$1.68 and US$0.88 with an interquartile range of US$0.54 to US$2.31. Routine vaccination was more costly than campaigns, with mean cost per dose of US$1.99 and US$0.88, respectively. Conclusion. Across the studies, there was huge variation in the cost per dose delivered, between and within countries, even in studies using consistent data collection tools and analysis methods, and including many health facilities. For planning purposes, the interquartile range of US$0.54 to US$2.31 may be a sufficiently precise estimate.

scholarly journals National Institute for the Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani” IRCCS. Recommendations for COVID-19 Clinical Management

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuele Nicastri ◽  
Nicola Petrosillo ◽  
Tommaso Ascoli Bartoli ◽  
Luciana Lepore ◽  
Annalisa Mondi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
World Health ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
Respiratory Involvement ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The World ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Affected Country

On January 9th, 2020, the “World Health Organization” (WHO) declared the identification, by Chinese Health authorities, of a novel coronavirus, further classified as SARS-CoV-2 responsible of a diseases (COVID-19) ranging from asymptomatic cases to severe respiratory involvement. On March 9th, 2020, WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. Italy is the second most affected country by COVID-19 infection after China. The “L. Spallanzani” National Institute for the Infectious Diseases, IRCCS has been the first Italian hospital to admit and manage patients affected by COVID-19. Hereby, we show our recommendations for the management of COVID-19 patients, based on very limited clinical evidences; these recomendations should be considered as expert opinions, which may be modified according to newly produced literature data. *for the INMI COVID-19 Treatment Group – ICOTREG Abdeddaim A, Agrati C, Albarello F, Antinori A, Ascoli Bartoli T, Baldini F, Bellagamba R, Bevilacqua N, Bibas M, Biava G, Boumis E, Busso D, Camici M, Capobianchi MR, Capone A, Caravella I, Cataldo A, Cerilli S, Chinello G, Cicalini S, Corpolongo A, Cristofaro M, D’Abramo A, Dantimi C, De Angelis G, De Palo MG, D’Offizi G, De Zottis F, Di Lorenzo R, Di Stefano F, Fusetti M, Galati V, Gagliardini R, Garotto G, Gebremeskel Tekle Saba, Giancola ML, Giansante F, Girardi E, Goletti D, Granata G, Greci MC, Grilli E, Grisetti S, Gualano G, Iacomi F, Iannicelli G, Ippolito G, Lepore L, Libertone R, Lionetti R, Liuzzi G, Loiacono L, Macchione M,  Marchioni L, Mariano A, Marini MC, Maritti M, Mastrobattista A, Mazzotta V, Mencarini P, Migliorisi-Ramazzini P, Mondi A, Montalbano M, Mosti S, Murachelli S, Musso M, Nicastri E, Noto P, Oliva A, Palazzolo C, Palmieri F, Pareo C, Petrone A, Pianura E, Pinnetti C, Pontarelli A, Puro V, Rianda A, Rosati S, Sampaolesi A, Santagata C, Scarcia D’Aprano S, Scarabello A, Schininà V, Scorzolini L, Stazi GV, Taibi C, Taglietti F, Tonnarini R, Topino S, Vergori A, Vincenzi L, Visco-Comandini U, Vittozzi P, Zaccarelli M, Zaccaro G.

scholarly journals Elimination of onchocerciasis in Africa by 2025: an ambitious target requires ambitious interventions

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Colebunders ◽  
Wilma A. Stolk ◽  
Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo ◽  
Charles D. Mackenzie ◽  
Adrian Hopkins
Keyword(s):  
Intervention Strategies ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Tailored Interventions ◽  
Evaluation Procedures ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Mental Health Programs ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
African Setting

Abstract To achieve the elimination of onchocerciasis transmission in all African countries will entail enormous challenges, as has been highlighted by the active discussion around onchocerciasis intervention strategies and evaluation procedures in this journal. Serological thresholds for onchocerciasis elimination, adapted for the African setting, need to be established. The Onchocerciasis Technical Advisory Subgroup of the World Health Organization is currently developing improved guidelines to allow country elimination committees to make evidence-based decisions. Importantly, onchocerciasis-related morbidity should not be forgotten when debating elimination prospects. A morbidity management and disease prevention (MMDP) strategy similar to that for lymphatic filariasis will need to be developed. This will require collaboration between the onchocerciasis elimination program, the community and other partners including primary health and mental health programs. In order to reach the goal of onchocerciasis elimination in most African countries by 2025, we should prioritize community participation and advocate for tailored interventions which are scientifically proven to be effective, but currently considered to be too expensive.

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