Egypt National Health Accounts establishing an expenditure baseline to support Egypt’s health care reform 2019/2020

The Egypt National Health Accounts 2019/2020 study provides an up-to-date overview of health expenditure in the country. It tracks health expenditure across the Egyptian health system and provides in-depth analysis of the quantities and flows of funds through standard health expenditure classifications and key indicators. The 2019/20 study fills many gaps found in previous Egypt national health accounts studies. For example it tracks detailed health expenditure specific to data sources such as voluntary private health insurance and nongovernmental organizations. Moreover for the first time it tracks expenditure on diseases as well as expenditure disaggregated by the 27 governorates. Furthermore it provides a more granular view of health expenditure on pharmaceuticals and according to hospital typologies including private hospitals.

Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal [2023; Vol.29, Issue 10]

Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal is the official health journal published by the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of the World Health Organization. It is a forum for the presentation and promotion of new policies and initiatives in health services; and for the exchange of ideas concepts epidemiological data research findings and other information with special reference to the Eastern Mediterranean Region. It addresses all members of the health profession medical and other health educational institutes interested NGOs WHO Collaborating Centres and individuals within and outside the Region

المجلة الصحية لشرق المتوسط هى المجلة الرسمية التى تصدرعن المكتب الاقليمى لشرق المتوسط بمنظمة الصحة العالمية. وهى منبر لتقديم السياسات والمبادرات الجديدة فى الصحة العامة والخدمات الصحية والترويج لها، و لتبادل الاراء و المفاهيم والمعطيات الوبائية ونتائج الابحاث وغير ذلك من المعلومات، و خاصة ما يتعلق منها باقليم شرق المتوسط. وهى موجهة الى كل اعضاء المهن الصحية، والكليات الطبية وسائر المعاهد التعليمية، و كذا المنظمات غير الحكومية المعنية، والمراكز المتعاونة مع منظمة الصحة العالمية والافراد المهتمين بالصحة فى الاقليم و خارجه

La Revue de Santé de la Méditerranée Orientale est une revue de santé officielle publiée par le Bureau régional de l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé pour la Méditerranée orientale. Elle offre une tribune pour la présentation et la promotion de nouvelles politiques et initiatives dans le domaine de la santé publique et des services de santé ainsi qu’à l’échange d’idées de concepts de données épidémiologiques de résultats de recherches et d’autres informations se rapportant plus particulièrement à la Région de la Méditerranée orientale. Elle s’adresse à tous les professionnels de la santé aux membres des instituts médicaux et autres instituts de formation médico-sanitaire aux ONG Centres collaborateurs de l’OMS et personnes concernés au sein et hors de la Région

Acceptability of COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers in Sudan

Introduction: Several studies have investigated COVID-19 vaccine acceptability and hesitancy, especially among healthcare workers (HCWs). However, acceptability of the vaccine by HCWs in Sudan remains unclear. Aims: We investigated acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine and its determinants among HCWs in Sudan. Methods: Using a semi-structured questionnaire, we conducted a web-based cross-sectional study of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and its associated determinants among healthcare workers in Sudan during March–April 2021. Results: A total of 576 HCWs responded to the survey. Mean age was 35 years. Females (53.3%), medical doctors (55.4%) and being located in Khartoum State (76.0%) each accounted for more than half of the participants. Absolute refusal of the COVID-19 vaccine was expressed by 16.0% of the respondents. Males were more than twice as likely to accept the vaccine as females. Lower acceptability was statistically significantly associated with the nurses (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.15–0.82, P < 0.001), increased perceived harm from the vaccine (OR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.05–0.23, P < 0.001), lack of confidence in the source of the vaccine (OR = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.08–0.31, P < 0.001) and lack of confidence in organizations or government sectors supervising the vaccination process (OR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.17–0.58, P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study highlights a moderate level of COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among HCWs in Sudan. Special consideration should be given to addressing vaccine hesitancy among female HCWs and nurses.

Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal [2023; Vol.29, Issue 4]

Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal is the official health journal published by the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of the World Health Organization. It is a forum for the presentation and promotion of new policies and initiatives in health services; and for the exchange of ideas concepts epidemiological data research findings and other information with special reference to the Eastern Mediterranean Region. It addresses all members of the health profession medical and other health educational institutes interested NGOs WHO Collaborating Centres and individuals within and outside the Region

المجلة الصحية لشرق المتوسط هى المجلة الرسمية التى تصدرعن المكتب الاقليمى لشرق المتوسط بمنظمة الصحة العالمية. وهى منبر لتقديم السياسات والمبادرات الجديدة فى الصحة العامة والخدمات الصحية والترويج لها، و لتبادل الاراء و المفاهيم والمعطيات الوبائية ونتائج الابحاث وغير ذلك من المعلومات، و خاصة ما يتعلق منها باقليم شرق المتوسط. وهى موجهة الى كل اعضاء المهن الصحية، والكليات الطبية وسائر المعاهد التعليمية، و كذا المنظمات غير الحكومية المعنية، والمراكز المتعاونة مع منظمة الصحة العالمية والافراد المهتمين بالصحة فى الاقليم و خارجه

La Revue de Santé de la Méditerranée Orientale est une revue de santé officielle publiée par le Bureau régional de l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé pour la Méditerranée orientale. Elle offre une tribune pour la présentation et la promotion de nouvelles politiques et initiatives dans le domaine de la santé publique et des services de santé ainsi qu’à l’échange d’idées de concepts de données épidémiologiques de résultats de recherches et d’autres informations se rapportant plus particulièrement à la Région de la Méditerranée orientale. Elle s’adresse à tous les professionnels de la santé aux membres des instituts médicaux et autres instituts de formation médico-sanitaire aux ONG Centres collaborateurs de l’OMS et personnes concernés au sein et hors de la Région

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among blue-collar workers in United Arab Emirates

Background: This is one of the first studies exploring immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among blue-collar workers in Abu Dhabi. Aims: This study estimated the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among workers living in a closed setting using qualitative analysis of the total SARS-CoV-2 antibody immune response. Methods: We conducted this monocentric, prospective, observational study in a labor compound for a cohort of workers between 28 March and 6 July 2020. We tested for SARS-CoV-2 (nasopharyngeal) (RT-PCR) and anti-SARS-CoV-2 T-Ab. Results: Out of a total of 1600 workers, 1206 (75.0%) participated in the study – all were males, median age 35 years (19–63 years). We found 51% of the participants to be positive for SARS-CoV-2; the 49.0% who tested negative were considered as contacts. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 T-Ab was detected among 864 participants, showing an overall point prevalence of 71.6%. A relatively higher response was found among cases (89.0%) than among contacts (53.2%). Conclusion: This study highlights the need to prioritize public health interventions in closed settings where disease transmission is higher due to greater overall exposure. A high seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 T-Ab was found among the residents. A serial quantitative study applying time series and regression models is recommended to further evaluate the sustainability of the immune response among this and similar population groups.

Post-COVID-19 syndrome among healthcare workers in Jordan

Background: Post-COVID-19 syndrome covers a wide range of new, recurring or ongoing health conditions, which can occur in anyone who has recovered from COVID-19. The condition may affect multiple systems and organs. Aims: To evaluate the frequency and nature of persistent COVID-19 symptoms among healthcare providers in Jordan. Methods: Post-COVID-19 syndrome refers to symptoms extending beyond 4–12 weeks. We conducted a historical cohort study among 140 healthcare staff employed at the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics, Amman, Jordan. All of them had been infected with COVID-19 virus during March 2020 to February 2022. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Results: Some 59.3% of the study population reported more than 1 persisting COVID-19 symptom, and among them 97.5%, 62.6% and 40.9% reported more than 1 COVID-19 symptom at 1–3, 3–6 and 6–12 months, respectively, after the acute phase of the infection. Post-COVID-19 syndrome was more prevalent among females than males (79.5% vs 20.5%) (P = 0.006). The most frequent reported symptom was fatigue. Females scored higher on the Fatigue Assessment Scale than males [23.26, standard deviation (SD) 8.00 vs 17.53, SD 5.40] (P < 0.001). No significant cognitive impairment was detected using the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scales. Conclusion: More than half (59.3%) of the healthcare workers in our study reported post-COVID-19 syndrome. Further studies are needed to better understand the frequency and severity of the syndrome among different population groups.

Skin problems associated with the use of personal protective equipment by healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic in Türkiye

Background: Skin problems associated with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) have been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aims: To determine the skin problems experienced by healthcare workers in Türkiye who used PPE during COVID-19 and the effect of these problems on their quality-of-life. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 30 November 2020 to 30 May 2021. Data were collected from 404 healthcare workers recruited via social media. Participants completed a skin problem evaluation form and Skindex-16, which measures the effects of skin disease on quality-of-life. The t test and ANOVA were used to analyse differences between the means. Results: Most (85.1%) of the participants were nurses and 38.6% worked in COVID-19 intensive care units. All the participants wore gloves (53.2% wore double gloves), 99.3% wore surgical masks and 56.2% wore protective glasses. They washed their hands on average 31.94 [standard deviation (SD) 27.55] times a day. Skin problems developed were mostly around the forehead, hands, nose, and ears. The mean (SD) Skindex-16 score was 45.42 (26.31). Based on Skindex scores, respondents with chronic skin problems had a significantly lower quality-of-life than those without skin problems, as did those who developed skin problems during the COVID-19 pandemic than those who did not (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Skin problems associated with the use of PPE increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and these affected the quality-of-life of healthcare workers. Further studies should evaluate how to minimize adverse reactions due to PPE use.

Кадры медико-санитарных и социальных работников в Европе: время действовать

На современном этапе все страны Европейского региона ВОЗ сталкиваются с серьезными трудностями, связанными с обеспечением кадрами медико-санитарных и социальных работников (МСР). Центральное место в этом докладе отведено определению эффективной политики и планированию действий в ответ на возникшие во всем Регионе вызовы в отношении МСР. В докладе представлен обзор ситуации вокруг МСР в Регионе (с упором на врачей, медсестер, акушерок, стоматологов, фармацевтов и физиотерапевтов, по которым имеются соответствующие данные) и обозначены актуальные варианты курсов действий, ожидаемые результаты последних, включая потенциальные факторы, способствующие или препятствующие успешному проведению в жизнь этих начинаний. Также приведены конкретные примеры сложившейся в странах практики, основанной на данных научных исследований. Цель составления доклада главным образом сводится к описанию полученных данных, а не их анализу. В документе использовались данные, полученные от стран, однако во многих случаях такие сведения являются неполными. Со временем ожидается постепенное пополнение массива накопленных данных. Сюда не включены данные, относящиеся к неформальным медицинским работникам. Европейское региональное бюро ВОЗ (ЕРБ ВОЗ), работая в контакте с заинтересованными сторонами, будет оказывать поддержку государствам-членам в укреплении отряда МСР в каждом из них. ЕРБ ВОЗ будет и впредь выступать в пользу выделения средств на развитие кадров МСР, причем не только ради улучшения показателей здоровья, но и для достижения социально-экономических выгод.