Articles tagged with Low Income Countries
A study by the University of Melbourne and Harvard Medical School found that international aid spent on youth health projects is drastically underinvested in the developing world. Despite making up 12-13% of disease burden, adolescents receive only a tiny share of global investments.
A comprehensive study identifies seven core elements for effective antimicrobial stewardship programs in hospitals worldwide. These essential components include leadership commitment, accountability, and education, which are applicable across high-income and low-income countries.
Researchers at the University of Southampton are using satellite imagery, geolocation technology, and small area surveys to create high-resolution national population estimates. These approaches have already helped combat the spread of malaria and assist in disaster relief planning in countries such as Nepal and Haiti.
Patients in low income nations are more likely to develop surgical infections and are infected with bacteria resistant to medicines. The study found a significant link between antibiotic use and infection, highlighting an urgent need to tackle surgical infection globally.
A study of over 12,500 patients across 66 countries found that surgical site infections are a significant global health issue, with 22% of cases resistant to pre-surgery antibiotics. The incidence of infections varied greatly depending on the country's income level, with low-income countries being most at risk.
Patients in low-income nations have higher rates of surgical infections and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Infection complications can prolong recovery times and be fatal, highlighting an urgent need for global healthcare action.
A study introduced a simplified childbirth guide at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital in Zanzibar, reducing stillbirths by 33% and improving newborn health. The PartoMa guidelines, developed with local doctors and midwives, have been widely adopted and are being used to inform healthcare policies in low-income countries.
Researchers find that mosquito mesh is a cost-effective alternative to commercial mesh for groin hernia repair. The study's lead author advocates for further research on implementation, safety, and training to bring high-quality surgery to millions of people in need.
A recent study published in BMJ Global Health reveals that children from low-income countries are at a significantly higher risk of dying after emergency abdominal surgery. The likelihood of dying is up to 7 times greater than for children from rich nations.
A recent study published in the British Journal of Surgery found that emergency surgery patients in lower-income countries have a significantly higher mortality rate. The study monitored 10,745 patients and found death rates were three times higher in low-income countries despite adjustment for prognostic factors.
The Lancet study reveals that by 2040, nearly half of developing countries will fall short of international health spending targets, leaving millions without access to basic services. Global health funding is expected to stagnate, with minimal growth since 2010, and may not be sufficient to bridge the gap.
A Swedish-Ugandan study has shown that sterilized mosquito nets can replace costly surgical meshes in inguinal hernia repairs without compromising patient safety or treatment efficacy. The study involved over 300 adult males from rural Uganda and found no significant differences between groups.
A recent study reveals that poor countries are exposed to more aggressive tobacco marketing than affluent nations, with the majority of sales in low-income countries occurring through single cigarettes. This intense marketing can lead to a higher likelihood of young people starting to smoke and becoming lifelong smokers.
Since 1990, $458 billion was disbursed to developing countries for health, with the US government providing 31.2% and private philanthropies like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation contributing 7.1%. Maternal health and newborn/child health received most of these funds.
Breast cancer is a significant global health issue, with over 1.6 million new cases diagnosed annually. The disease disproportionately affects low-income countries, where late-stage diagnosis and limited treatment options contribute to high mortality rates.
Researchers found a 400% increase in obesity and 250% increase in diabetes among TV, computer, and car owners in low-income countries. The study suggests that these modern conveniences contribute to a sedentary lifestyle, leading to increased rates of obesity and diabetes.
A new study shows that mothers in low-income countries often lack understanding of why their baby is in the hospital, leading to difficulty communicating preferences and recognizing future warning signs of illness. This communication gap puts sick newborns at high risk of adverse health outcomes.
A Lancet series examines the social, political, and economic issues surrounding universal health coverage. The evidence suggests that progress towards UHC leads to substantial improvements in population health, particularly for the poorest people. However, countries relying predominantly on out-of-pocket payments have not achieved UHC....
A scheme supporting midwives in rural Nigeria has improved maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes by redistributing healthcare workers. The Midwife Service Scheme helps address health inequities between urban and rural areas, offering a potential model for low-income countries.
A growing global cancer epidemic threatens low- and middle-income countries with devastating health consequences. Canada has the capacity to provide leadership and action to tackle this crisis.
A global study found that 60% of individuals with heart disease and up to half of stroke patients are not taking four effective drug types, with underuse highest in low-income countries. The study suggests improvements in drug use could substantially reduce global cardiovascular disease within years.
A global study by McMaster researchers found that too few patients are using simple, cheap, and proven drugs to prevent heart attacks and strokes. The study, which included data from 17 countries, found significant gaps in the use of these medications, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Newborn mortality in low-income countries is a significant concern, with many infants going unseen by health services. Community-based approaches, such as community mobilization and home visits by community workers, can improve newborn survival rates, according to a study published in PLoS Medicine.
Researchers evaluated the effectiveness of contracting private providers and cash incentives to increase healthcare use in poor countries. Strong evidence shows positive health impacts from cash incentives, while contracting out services had relatively weak results.
Pfizer has launched an open access waiver fund to support automatic waivers of publication fees for authors from low-income countries, enabling them to publish research articles globally without financial barriers. This initiative aims to promote recognition and sharing of research conducted in developing countries.
Studies show that stroke mortality rates and burden vary greatly by country, with low-income countries being the most affected. Despite knowing known risk factors for stroke, such as diabetes and alcohol consumption, these do not explain the greater burden in low-income countries.
A new framework proposes national surveillance, monitoring, and research to inform future guideline development in low-income countries. Local data will optimize the management of childhood diseases like malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhoea by capturing country-specific differences.
The Lancet Alma-Ata Working Group emphasizes the need for strengthening primary health care infrastructure, removing user fees, and increasing community participation. To achieve 'Health for All' by 2000 and meet the Millennium Development Goals, these priorities must be addressed with substantial acceleration.
A global survey found that people in high-income countries underestimate the risk of alcohol consumption, while those in low- and middle-income countries have more pessimistic beliefs about cancer treatment. The survey also reveals a preference for doctors to make treatment decisions in lower-income countries.
New guidelines provide guidance for medical researchers on how to handle ancillary care needs in developing countries. The four Ps - Positive obligation, Planning Partnership, and Practical steps - offer a framework for addressing these needs.
A study published in PLoS Medicine explores the brain drain of doctors from Pakistan to the West. The authors argue that some Pakistani medical graduates who emigrate for higher training abroad have every intention of returning to their homeland with new expertise and knowledge, which can benefit the country's healthcare system.
A study published in The Lancet found that sputum-submission guidance increases positive tests for tuberculosis in women by 63%, making it a promising intervention to improve case detection. The guidance aims to address cultural and knowledge barriers, resulting in higher quality samples and early morning returns.
Global health experts highlight the need for more international assistance to address chronic non-communicable conditions in low and middle income countries. Chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and cancer cause more deaths than infectious diseases, yet receive less funding.
The new REC allows St. Jude to collaborate with Hospital Nacional de Niños Benjamin Bloom on clinical trials and train Salvadoran nurses, leading to improved treatments for pediatric catastrophic diseases. The success of the model has encouraged other institutions in El Salvador to form RECs.
Researchers found that poorer countries with less-developed health systems are more likely to implement health grants effectively, contrary to expectations of low absorptive capacity. This is attributed to increased political stability and attention paid to resources in these nations.
Health experts emphasize the need for stronger health systems to achieve improved health outcomes, but agree that a more manageable approach is needed. Disease-specific interventions can deliver quicker results, yet may lead to duplication and disruption, while system-wide approaches build benefits over time, but are less manageable.