Outcome of clubfoot treatment in the pre-ponseti period in a Nigerian teaching hospital: a 14 year review

Background: Congenital Talipes Equinovarus (CTEV) is a common musculoskeletal congenital disorder. Historically, surgical treatment of various types was popular; however, currently the gold standard of treatment is non-operative care using the Ponseti method. This work evaluates the outcome of this former method of managing CTEV before author adopted the Ponseti Method and compares it with the reported outcomes of the Ponseti method in published literature.Methods: A retrospective review of this data from January 1990 to December 2003 was done, the patients demographics, treatment given, duration and outcome of care were analysed using descriptive statistics. This finding was then compared with outcomes of Ponseti method in literature.Results: Here, 145 patients had initial non operative care; eighteen of those patients (12.4%), eventually require either a posteromedial release, a combined posteromedial and posterolateral releases or a triple arthrodesis.Conclusions: The study shows that the success rate of this method of manipulation preceding the adoption of the Ponseti method is 87.6%. This outcome is inferior when compared to the outcome of Ponseti method in published literature. Also, the extensive nature of eventual surgical intervention required to achieve correction is in contrast to the minimal surgeries needed achieve correction of residual deformities following the use of the Ponseti method.

Obstetric fistula: A challenge to public health

Obstetric fistula (OF) is one of the most important consequences of a prolonged obstructed labor, a big issue for low-income countries (LICs) like India. The objective is to identify and explore the knowledge regarding OF as a public health problem in LICs from peer review literature. The PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases were searched to identify the prevalence, risk factors, and management of OF in LICs. Quantitative evidence-based paper reviewed. Twenty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria. The 15 provided population-based OF prevalence data of OF and 12 provided risk factors and social causes of OF rates associated with the birth that caused an OF. OF has one of the big public health problems. There is a lack of scientific research on the prevalence and risk factors of OF in LICs. This review helps to eradicate or alleviate the problem of OF in LICs like India.

Smokeless tobacco taxation: Lessons from Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia accounts for nearly 86 per cent of the smokeless tobacco (SLT) consumers in the world. The heterogeneous nature of SLT is a major impediment to using taxation as a tool to regulate SLT. This study was aimed to review issues around fiscal policies on SLT with the objective of providing clarity on the use of taxation as an effective policy instrument to regulate SLT use. Descriptive statistics and graphical representations were used to analyze published data from different sources. An analysis of prices and tax between smoke and SLT products was done to understand the impact of tax policies on SLT consumption. India, Bangladesh and Myanmar together account for 71 per cent of the world SLT users. The retail prices (PPP$) and tax were lower for SLT in low- and lower-middle-income countries and higher in high-income countries, on an average, suggesting a direct relationship between the two. Evidence from India and Bangladesh suggested that taxation had significantly reduced SLT use among adults. The compounded levy scheme used in India to tax SLT was found effective after incorporating speed of packing machines into the assessment of deemed production and tax on SLT products. The current analysis shows that taxation can be an effective instrument to regulate SLT consumption if tax rates are harmonized across SLT products and in a manner not to encourage substitution with other tobacco products. It is also imperative to set a minimum floor price on all tobacco products including SLT.

Strengthening policy and governance to address the growing burden of diabetes in Nepal.

Diabetes poses a major challenge to Nepal’s health-care system. Deaths due to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have increased from 51% of all deaths in the country in 2010 to 60% in 2014. In 2014, diabetes and other essential NCDs accounted for 46% of the total deaths and 22% of premature deaths in the country. As diabetes is common in adults of working age, the impact will further impoverish individuals and families in Nepal, where out-of-pocket expenditure for health remains high. To halt the rise in diabetes and obesity, the government of Nepal will have to adopt a public health approach that balances individual and population-level interventions. Awareness, early diagnosis and prevention are key to management and control of diabetes. To date, there has been no nationwide robust programme for diabetes prevention in the country and services are inaccessible to much of the Nepalese population. However, under the NCD Multisectoral Action Plan (2014–2020), there will be phase-wise implementation of the World Health Organization Package of Essential Noncommunicable (PEN) disease interventions for primary health care in low-resource settings. The NCD PEN brings opportunities to strengthen the health workforce, diagnostics, medicines and supplies, the health information system, and research and surveillance and to reduce inequity in diabetes care in Nepal.

Molecular Detection of Group A Rotavirus in Children under Five in Urban and Peri-urban Arusha, Tanzania.

Background: Rotavirus gastroenteritis is the leading cause of severe diarrhea in children under the age of five years worldwide. However, very little information is available on Rotavirus status in Tanzania. Aims: The project aimed at investigating Rotavirus infection in Tanzanian children to reflect prevalence post introduction of the Rotarix® virus, which occurred in late 2012. Methods: The study considered prevalence in an urban and peri-urban context in Arusha, Tanzania for children under five. The study involved molecular detection of rotavirus in stool samples using PCR targeting Group A Rotavirus as well as a questionnaire to determine possible contributing factors, such as vaccination status, age, and exclusive breastfeeding to infection. Results: Out of a total of 100 stool samples collected, 37% were positive for Rotavirus. The Fisher’s Exact Test was used to relate conventional PCR test results and various factors associated with Rotavirus positive samples. Household practices of boiling water, as well as parents’/guardians’ knowledge on the Rotavirus vaccine and child vaccination status were significantly (p<0.05) associated with Rotavirus infection. Conclusion: The findings of this study should inform further studies to address the molecular epidemiology of the disease and associated risk factors. In this study we undertook surveillance for molecular detection and characterization of Rotavirus while considering the impact of prevention and control measures, such as vaccinations and uptake of safe practices (i.e., boiling water) on prevalence.

Efectividad de los trabajadores comunitarios en medidas preventivas para salud maternal e infantil en países de bajos y medianos ingresos: revisión sistemática de la literatura / Effectiveness of community workers on preventive measures to maternal and child health in low and middle income countries: systematic review of the literature

Objetivo: Evaluar y sintetizar la evidencia científica que presente información sobre la efectividad de las intervenciones preventivas realizadas por los trabajadores comunitarios en salud materna y salud infantil a nivel hogar. Metodología: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura. La búsqueda se realizó desde 1966 a 2014 en las diferentes bases de datos: Medline, Embase, Lilacs, Cochrane, CINHAL, OMS series y google schollar. Se incluyeron estudios tipo experimental o cuasi experimentales que abordaran la incorporación de trabajadores comunitarios en intervenciones de prevención primaria para salud materna e infantil. Se realizó una síntesis narrativa de los resultados. Resultados: se identificó un total de 12 560 referencias; de estas se tamizaron 6234. Se incluyeron en esta revisión, posterior a una evaluación de calidad metodológica, 19 estudios. De estos se identificaron diseños como ensayos clínicos controlados, ensayos por conglomerados, estudios de antes y después, estudios observacionales analíticos tipo casos y controles y estudios de corte transversal. Se identificaron actividades de promoción y prevención para malaria, adherencia a la lactancia materna, cuidados del recién nacido, cuidados y soporte para el momento del parto. En todos los escenarios se demostró efectividad de la inclusión del trabajador comunitario en los desenlaces de adherencia y reducción de mortalidad materna e infantil. Conclusiones: La inclusión de los trabajadores comunitarios es efectiva en la reducción de la mortalidad materna e infantil en países de bajos y medianos ingresos. Además de ello, mejora el acceso y la cobertura a los servicios de salud de poblaciones vulnerables.

Objective: To evaluate and synthesize scientific evidence that reports on the effectiveness of preventive interventions by community workers in maternal and child health at the household level. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted. The search was conducted from 1966-2014 in different databases: Medline, Embase, Lilacs, Cochrane, CINAHL, WHO and google Schollar series. Experimental or quasi-experimental studies that addressed the incorporation of community workers in primary prevention interventions for maternal and child health were included. A narrative summary of the results was performed. Results: A total of 12 560 references were identified, of these 6234 references were screened. They were included in this review, after an assessment of methodological quality, 19 studies. Of these 19 studies designs as controlled clinical trials, cluster tests, before and after studies, analytical observational case-control studies and cross-sectional studies we were identified. Advocacy and malaria prevention, adherence to breastfeeding, newborn care, care and support during childbirth were identified. In all scenarios, including the effectiveness of Community worker in the outcomes of adherence and reduction of maternal and infant mortality it was demonstrated. Conclusions: Inclusion of community workers is effective in reducing maternal and infant mortality in low- and middle-income. Moreover it is improving access and coverage of health services to vulnerable populations.

Pulse Oximetry as a Screening Tool to Detect Hypoxia Associated with Early-onset Sepsis in Asymptomatic Newborns: A Feasibility Study in a Low-income Country.

Aims: i) To assess the feasibility of using pulse oximetry as a screening tool in lowincome countries to detect hypoxemia associated with early-onset sepsis in asymptomatic newborns. ii) To evaluate the acceptability of pulse oximetry screening to mothers and healthcare professionals. Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Place and Duration of Study: Saint Francis Referral Hospital, Ifakara, Tanzania between January and March 2013. Methodology: All eligible asymptomatic newborns of more than 33 weeks gestational age born during the study period were screened on two occasions using pulse oximetry. Newborns with oxygen saturations below predefined thresholds were test positive. We recorded the proportion of eligible newborns screened, time taken for the test and the acceptability of pulse oximetry use to mothers and healthcare professionals. The rates of hypoxaemia and clinical diagnosis of sepsis in asymptomatic newborns were evaluated. Results: A total of 316 asymptomatic newborns were screened, of which eighteen (5.7%) were classified as test positive. Clinical examination led to the diagnosis of sepsis in 41 newborns (13%), including eight newborns who tested positive with pulse oximetry screening. Mothers (n=50) and healthcare professionals (n=18) were predominantly satisfied with screening. Conclusion: It is feasible to evaluate the role of pulse oximetry as a screening tool to detect early-onset sepsis in a low-income setting. The test is acceptable to mothers and healthcare professionals. Further studies are needed to assess the accuracy of the test in detecting sepsis in asymptomatic newborns and its clinical impact on neonatal health.

Global comparative healthcare effectiveness research: Evaluating sustainable programmes in low & middle resource settings.

The need to focus healthcare expenditures on innovative and sustainable health systems that efficiently use existing effective therapies are the major drivers stimulating Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) across the globe. Lack of adequate access and high cost of essential medicines and technologies in many countries increases morbidity and mortality and cost of care that forces people and families into poverty due to disability and out-of-pocket expenses. This review illustrates the potential of value-added global health care comparative effectiveness research in shaping health systems and health care delivery paradigms in the “global south”. Enabling the development of effective CER systems globally paves the way for tangible local and regional definitions of equity in health care because CER fosters the sharing of critical assets, resources, skills, and capabilities and the development of collaborative of multi-sectorial frameworks to improve health outcomes and metrics globally.