the aid library

LIST OPTIONS

Filter

3418

Sort by:

Direction:

Download (36)

View PDF (36)

Mpox Testing Strategy - November 2024

Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2024) CC

Mpox is an emerging zoonotic disease caused by the mpox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus closely related to the variola virus that causes smallpox. Mpox was first discovered in 1958 when outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in monkeys kept for research. The first human case was recorde...d in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during a period of intensified effort to eliminate smallpox and since then the infection has been reported in a number of African countries. Mpox can spread in humans through close contact, usually skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact, with an infected person or animal, as well as with materials contaminated with the virus such as clothing, beddings and towels, and respiratory droplets in prolonged face to face contact. People remain infectious from the onset of symptoms until all the lesions have scabbed and healed. The virus may spread from infected animals through handling infected meat or through bites or scratches. Diagnosis is confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of material from a lesion for the virus’s DNA. Two separate clades of the mpox virus are currently circulating in Africa: Clade I, which includes subclades Ia and Ib, and Clade II, comprising subclades IIa and IIb. Clade Ia and Clade Ib have been associated with ongoing human-to-human transmission and are presently responsible for outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), while Clade Ib is also contributing to outbreaks in Burundi and other countries. In 2022‒2023 mpox caused a global outbreak in over 110 countries, most of which had no previous history of the disease, primarily driven by human-to-human transmission of clade II through sexual contact. In just over a year, over 90,000 cases and 150 deaths were reported to the WHO. For the second time since 2022, mpox has been declared a global health emergency as the virus spreads rapidly across the African continent. On 13 Aug 2024, Africa CDC declared the ongoing mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS), marking the first such declaration by the agency since its inception in 2017.7 This declaration empowered the Africa CDC to lead and coordinate responses to the mpox outbreak across affected African countries. On August 14, 2024, the WHO declared the resurgence of mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) emphasizing the need for coordinated international response. As of August 2024, Mpox has expanded beyond its traditional endemic regions, with new cases reported in countries including Sweden, Thailand, the Philippines, and Pakistan. Sweden has confirmed its first case of Clade 1 variant, which has been rapidly spreading in Africa, particularly in DRC. The emergence of this new variant raises concerns about its potential for higher lethality and transmission rates outside Africa. more

Download (27)

View PDF (31)

Interim Guidlines for the clinical management of diabetes in Jamaica

Ministry of Health and Wellness (2020) CC2

Diabetes mellitus, also called diabetes, is a chronic metabolic condition in which the hormone insulin is not produced by the pancreas in sufficient quantities or is not utilized effectively by the body to control blood glucose levels. As a result, blood glucose levels are abnormally high (hypergl... more

Download (23)

View PDF (28)

Strengthening pandemic preparedness and response through integrated modelling

OECD; World Health Organization WHO; World Bank (2024) CC

The far-reaching impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic underscore the critical need for evidence-informed, transparent and inclusive decision-making. Policy-makers have grappled with complex choices amidst uncertainty. They have constantly reassessed response measures while navigating their economic impl... more

Download (29)

View PDF (32)

Qualitative assessment of community health workers’ perspective on their motivation in community-based primary health care in rural Malawi

Ndambo, M.K.; Munyaneza, F.; Aron, M.B. et al. BMC Health Services Research (2022) CC

Background: Community Health Workers (CHWs) have a positive impact on the provision of community-based primary health care through screening, treatment, referral, psychosocial support, and accompaniment. With a broad scope of work, CHW programs must balance the breadth and depth of tasks to mainta...in CHW motivation for high-quality care delivery. Few studies have described the CHW perspective on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to enhance their programmatic activities. Methods: We utilized an exploratory qualitative study design with CHWs employed in the household model in Neno District, Malawi, to explore their perspectives on intrinsic and extrinsic motivators and dissatisfiers in their work. Data was collected in 8 focus group discussions with 90 CHWs in October 2018 and March–April 2019 in seven purposively selected catchment areas. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed using Dedoose. Results: Themes of complex intrinsic and extrinsic factors were generated from the perspectives of the CHWs in the focus group discussions. Study results indicate that enabling factors are primarily intrinsic factors such as positive patient outcomes, community respect, and recognition by the formal health care system but can lead to the chal- lenge of increased scope and workload. Extrinsic factors can provide challenges, including an increased scope and workload from original expectations, lack of resources to utilize in their work, and rugged geography. However, a posi- tive work environment through supportive relationships between CHWs and supervisors enables the CHWs. Conclusion: This study demonstrated enabling factors and challenges for CHW performance from their perspec- tive within the dual-factor theory. We can mitigate challenges through focused efforts to limit geographical distance, manage workload, and strengthen CHW support to reinforce their recognition and trust. Such programmatic empha- sis can focus on enhancing motivational factors found in this study to improve the CHWs’ experience in their role. The engagement of CHWs, the communities, and the formal health care system is critical to improving the care provided to the patients and communities, along with building supportive systems to recognize the work done by CHWs for the primary health care systems. more

Download (51)

View PDF (44)

The availability, prices and affordability of essential medicines in Malawi: A cross-sectional study

Khuluza, F.; Haefele-Abah, C. PLoS ONE (2019) CC

The Malawian government recently introduced cost-covering consultation fees for self-referral patients in tertiary public hospitals. Previously, patients received medicines free of charge in government-owned health facilities, but must pay elsewhere. Before the government implements a payment policy... more

Download (104)

View PDF (82)

Strategic Framework for Enhancing Prevention and Control of mpox, 2024-2027

World Health Organization WHO (2024) C_WHO

Mpox continues to affect people around the world. A new framework released today by WHO will guide health authorities, communities and other stakeholders in preventing and controlling mpox outbreaks, eliminating human-to-human transmission of the disease, and reducing spillover of the virus from ani... more

Download (51)

View PDF (59)

Guidelines for Addressing Disease Risks in Wildlife Trade

World Organisation for Animal Health WOAH (2024) CC

For thousands of years, humans have been using wildlife for commercial and subsistence purposes. Wildlife trade takes place at local, national and international levels, with different forms of wildlife, such as live animals, partly processed products and finished products. Wildlife is a vital source... more

Download (40)

View PDF (42)

Diabetes and Ramadan: Practical guidelines 2021

Hassanein M., Afandi B. et al. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice (2016) CC2

The document "Diabetes and Ramadan: Practical Guidelines 2021," published by Elsevier, provides updated guidance for managing diabetes during Ramadan fasting. Developed by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the Diabetes and Ramadan (DAR) International Alliance, the guidelines address ke... more

Download (31)

View PDF (41)

A household-based community health worker programme for non-communicable disease, malnutrition, tuberculosis, HIV and maternal health: a stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial in Neno Distr

Wroe, E.B.; Nhlema, B.; Dunbar, E.L. et al. BMJ Global Health (2021) CC

Background: Community health worker (CHW) programmes are a valuable component of primary care in resource-poor settings. The evidence supporting their effectiveness generally shows improvements in disease-specific outcomes relative to the absence of a CHW programme. In this study, we evaluated expan... more

Download (72)

View PDF (47)

Multi-country outbreak of mpox, External situation report #42- 9 November 2024

World Health Organisation (WHO) (2024) C_WHO

This is the 42nd situation report for the multi-country outbreak of mpox, which provides an update on the epidemiological situation of mpox in Africa (including countries in the WHO African Region and some countries in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region), with data as of 3 November 2024.

Download (54)

View PDF (65)

Sharing successful strategies from the Eastern Mediterranean Region in mitigating noncommunicable diseases and mentalhealth disorders during the COVID-19pandemic and beyond

World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (2023) C_WHO

The "Stories from the field" document by the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean shares effective strategies from the Eastern Mediterranean Region for addressing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights regio... more

Download (39)

View PDF (49)

Access to NCD medicines: emergent issues during the COVID-19 pandemic and key structural factors 2023

World Health Organization WHO (2023) C_WHO

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic exacerbated pre-existing inequalities in the treatment and care of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). This report examines the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to NCD medicines, and the policies and strategies implemented by countries and health sys... more

Download (34)

View PDF (47)

Individual- and Facility-Level Factors Associated with Facility Testing among Men in Malawi: Findings from a Representative Community Survey

Balakasi, K.; Nichols, B. E.; Mphande, M.; et al. (2021) CC2

Men are underrepresented in HIV testing services throughout sub-Saharan Africa. HIV testing is critical to achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals, as it is the first entry point to HIV care. In Malawi, an estimated 14% of HIV positive men are undiagnosed, while only 6% of HIV positive women remain undiag... more

Download (29)

View PDF (35)

Under- and over-diagnosis of COPD: a global perspective

Ho T., Cusack R.P., Chaudhary N. et al. Breathe, part of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) (2019) CC2

The article "Under- and over-diagnosis of COPD: a global perspective" reviews the worldwide variation in the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and issues related to its misdiagnosis. It highlights that COPD is under-diagnosed due to factors such as limited access to spiromet... more

Download (38)

View PDF (43)

Pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: An African perspective

Allwood, B.; Calligaro, G. South African Medical Journal (SAMJ) (2015) CC2

The article discusses the significant impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as a global health issue, with cigarette smoking as the main risk factor. However, in developing countries, the causes of COPD are often multifactorial, involving environmental tobacco smoke, biomass fuel sm... more

Download (47)

View PDF (53)

ICMR Guidlines for management of type 2 Diabetes

Indian Council of Medical Research (2018) CC2

In recent decades, India has witnessed a rapidly exploding epidemic of diabetes. Indeed, India today has the second largest number of people with diabetes in the world. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that there are 72.9 million people with diabetes in India in 2017, which is... more

Download (34)

View PDF (38)

Guidelines for the management of asthma in adults and adolescents: Position statement of the South African Thoracic Society – 2021 update

Lalloo, U.G.; Kalla, I.S.; Abdool-Gaffar, S. et al. African Journal of Thoracic and Critical Care Medicine (2021) CC

sthma prevalence is increasing worldwide, and surveys indicate that most patients in developed and developing countries, including South Africa, do not receive optimal care and are therefore not well controlled. Standard management guidelines adapted to in-country realities are important to support ... more

Download (35)

View PDF (45)

MEPs Mobilising for Diabetes Blueprint for Action on Diabetes in the European Union by 2030

MEPs Mobilising for Diabetes (2021) CC2

Since the discovery of insulin nearly 100 years ago, advances in diabetes treatments and therapies have transformed the lives of people with diabetes (PwD), notably reducing the daily burden of its management. Newer technologies, including those driven by artificial intelligence, have the potentia... more

Download (36)

View PDF (44)

The Global Burden of Cardiovascular Diseases and Risk: A Compass for Future Health

Vaduganathan, M.; Mensah, G.A.; Turco, J.V. et al. Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2022) CC

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have collectively remained the leading causes of death worldwide and substantially contribute to loss of health and excess health system costs. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) Study has tracked trends in death and disability since 1990 a... more

Download (49)

View PDF (39)

Protection from a Single Dose of HPV Vaccine A major public health impact from IARC studies of vaccine efficacy

World Health Organisation (WHO) (2023) C_WHO

Protection from a Single Dose of HPV Vaccine A major public health impact from IARC studies of vaccine efficacy.