Advancing digital methods in the fight against communicable diseases
Important advances are being made in the fight against communicable diseases by using new digital tools. While they can be a challenge to deploy at-scale, GPS-enabled smartphones, electronic dashboards and computer models have multiple benefits. They can facilitate program operations, lead to new insights about the disease transmission and support strategic planning. Today, tools such as these are used to vaccinate more children against polio in Nigeria, reduce the malaria burden in Zambia and help predict the spread of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa. (Source: International Health)
Source: International Health - March 2, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Chabot-Couture, G., Seaman, V. Y., Wenger, J., Moonen, B., Magill, A. Tags: COMMENTARIES Source Type: research
Digital methods in epidemiology can transform disease control
(Source: International Health)
Source: International Health - March 2, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Eckhoff, P. A., Tatem, A. J. Tags: EDITORIAL Source Type: research
Prognostic factors for mortality in patients hospitalized with influenza complications, in Taiwan
Conclusions
We recommend influenza vaccination and early antiviral treatment for at-risk populations. (Source: International Health)
Source: International Health - January 9, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Huang, W.-T., Chang, C.-H., Hsu, Y.-F., Chuang, J.-H. Tags: SHORT COMMUNICATION Source Type: research
Fibronectin predicts the outcome of acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure
Conclusions
Our results suggested that decreased serum fibronectin levels in patients with ACHBLF were correlated to hepatic injury and inflammation. However, because of the lack of specificity, the use of fibronectin as an independent prognostic indicator is limited. (Source: International Health)
Source: International Health - January 9, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Chen, Y., Shao, Z., Yin, Z., Jiang, Z. Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research
Surgical patients travel longer distances than non-surgical patients to receive care at a rural hospital in Mozambique
Conclusions
Patients seeking surgical care at this first-level hospital travel farther than patients seeking other services. While other patients may have access to at community clinics, surgical patients depend more heavily on the services available at first-level hospitals. (Source: International Health)
Source: International Health - January 9, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Faierman, M. L., Anderson, J. E., Assane, A., Bendix, P., Vaz, F., Rose, J. A., Funzamo, C., Bickler, S. W., Noormahomed, E. V. Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research
Economist intelligence unit democracy index in relation to health services accessibility: a regression analysis
Conclusions
These study findings are of significance to health professionals because they examine the political contexts in which citizens access health services, they come from research that is the first of its kind, and they help explain the effect political environment has on health. (Source: International Health)
Source: International Health - January 9, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Walker, M. E., Anonson, J., Szafron, M. Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research
Water bags as a potential vehicle for transmitting disease in a West African capital, Bissau
Conclusion
Findings showed that all packaged water samples were unfit for human consumption and during the 2012 cholera outbreak represented a potential vehicle for the spread of the disease. The design of measures to decrease the risk associated to the consumption of highly contaminated chilled water is clearly required. (Source: International Health)
Source: International Health - January 9, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Bordalo, A. A., Machado, A. Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research
Does China's new cooperative medical scheme promote rural elders' access to healthcare services in relation to chronic conditions?
Conclusions
Preventive healthcare services and chronic disease management are urgently needed by rural elders in China. NCMS should initiate payments to township health centers to enable them to undertake community outreach and education campaigns among rural residents, and train village doctors in standard chronic condition management and prevention, with prioritization of the provision of prevention and management of chronic conditions by village clinics. (Source: International Health)
Source: International Health - January 9, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Dai, B. Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research
High coverage of vitamin A supplementation and measles vaccination during an integrated Maternal and Child Health Week in Sierra Leone
Conclusion
The MCHW reached >90% of children in Sierra Leone with equitable coverage. Increased reporting of mild adverse events during the survey may be attributed to delayed onset after measles vaccination and/or direct inquiry from enumerators. Even mild adverse events following immunization requires strengthened reporting during and after vaccination campaigns. (Source: International Health)
Source: International Health - January 9, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Sesay, F. F., Hodges, M. H., Kamara, H. I., Turay, M., Wolfe, A., Samba, T. T., Koroma, A. S., Kamara, W., Fall, A., Mitula, P., Conteh, I., Maksha, N., Jambai, A. Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research
Mental distress and podoconiosis in Northern Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study
Conclusions
This study documented a high burden of mental distress among people with podoconiosis compared with healthy controls. Taking this finding in the context of the high stigma and reduced quality of life, we recommend integration of psychosocial care into the current morbidity management of podoconiosis. (Source: International Health)
Source: International Health - January 9, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Mousley, E., Deribe, K., Tamiru, A., Tomczyk, S., Hanlon, C., Davey, G. Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research
Pediatric asthma and ambient pollutant levels in industrializing nations
Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood and its prevalence has been increasing within industrializing nations. The contribution of ambient pollutants to asthma symptomatology has been explored in some countries through epidemiological investigations, molecular analysis and monitoring functional outcomes. The health effects of rising environmental pollution have been of increasing concern in industrializing nations with rising urbanization patterns. This review article provides an overview of the link between pediatric asthma and exposure to rising sources of urban air pollution. It primarily focuses ...
Source: International Health - January 9, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Jassal, M. S. Tags: REVIEW Source Type: research
Human rabies deaths in Africa: breaking the cycle of indifference
The current outbreak of Ebola virus disease has mobilized the international community against this deadly disease. However, rabies, another deadly disease, is greatly affecting the African continent, with an estimated 25 000 deaths every year. And yet, the disease can be prevented by a vaccine, if necessary with immunoglobulin, even when administered after exposure to the rabies virus. Rabies victims die because of neglect and ignorance, because they are not aware of these life-saving biologicals, or because they cannot access them or do not have the money to pay for them. Breaking the cycle of indifference of rabies death...
Source: International Health - January 9, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Dodet, B., Tejiokem, M. C., Aguemon, A.-R., Bourhy, H. Tags: COMMENTARY Source Type: research
Chikungunya: here today, where tomorrow?
(Source: International Health)
Source: International Health - January 9, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Higgs, S., Vanlandingham, D. L. Tags: EDITORIAL Source Type: research
