RESUMO
Arboviral diseases are serious threats to global health with increasing prevalence and potentially severe complications. Significant arthropod-borne viruses are the dengue viruses (DENV 1-4), the Zika virus (ZIKV), and the chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Among the areas most affected is the South Pacific Region (SPR). Here, arboviruses not only cause a high local burden of disease, but the region has also proven to contribute to their global spread. Outpatient serum samples collected between 08/2016 and 04/2017 on three islands of the island states of Vanuatu and the Cook Islands were tested for anti-DENV- and anti-ZIKV-specific antibodies (IgG) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). ELISA test results showed 89% of all test sera from the Cook Islands and 85% of the Vanuatu samples to be positive for anti-DENV-specific antibodies. Anti-ZIKV antibodies were identified in 66% and 52%, respectively, of the test populations. Statistically significant differences in standardized immunity levels were found only at the intranational level. Our results show that in both the Cook Islands and Vanuatu, residents were exposed to significant Flavivirus transmission. Compared to other seroprevalence studies, the marked difference between ZIKV immunity levels and previously published CHIKV seroprevalence rates in our study populations is surprising. We propose the timing of ZIKV and CHIKV emergence in relation to recurrent DENV outbreaks and the impact of seasonality as explanatory external factors for this observation. Our data add to the knowledge of arboviral epidemics in the SPR and contribute to a better understanding of virus spread, including external conditions with potential influence on outbreak dynamics. These data may support preventive and rapid response measures in the affected areas, travel-related risk assessment, and infection identification in locals and returning travelers.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antivirais , Vírus da Dengue , Dengue , Infecção por Zika virus , Zika virus , Humanos , Infecção por Zika virus/epidemiologia , Infecção por Zika virus/sangue , Infecção por Zika virus/imunologia , Infecção por Zika virus/virologia , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Vírus da Dengue/imunologia , Zika virus/imunologia , Vanuatu/epidemiologia , Dengue/epidemiologia , Dengue/imunologia , Dengue/sangue , Dengue/virologia , Polinésia/epidemiologia , Anticorpos Antivirais/sangue , Adulto , Feminino , Adolescente , Adulto Jovem , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Idoso , Criança , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Pré-Escolar , Imunoglobulina G/sangue , LactenteRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Frontline workers report negative mental health impacts of being exposed to the risk of COVID-19, and of supporting people struggling with the effects of the virus. Uptake of psychological first-aid resources is inconsistent, and they may not meet the needs of frontline workers in under-resourced contexts. This study evaluates a culturally adapted basic psychosocial skills (BPS) training program that aimed to meet the needs of frontline workers in under-resourced settings. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey administered to frontline workers who completed the program between 2020 and 2022, investigated their perceived confidence, satisfaction, and skill development, as well as their views on relevance to context and accessibility of the program. RESULTS: Out of the 1000 people who had undertaken the BPS program, 118 (11.8%) completed the survey. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction and improved confidence in, and knowledge of, psychosocial skills. Participants reported that the BPS program was culturally and contextually relevant, and some requested expansion of the program, including more interactivity, opportunities for anonymous participation, and adaption to other cultural contexts, including translation into languages other than English. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate a need for free, online, and culturally adapted psychosocial skills training program that is designed with key stakeholders to ensure relevance to social and cultural contexts.
Assuntos
COVID-19 , Humanos , COVID-19/epidemiologia , Estudos Transversais , Pandemias , Conhecimento , IdiomaRESUMO
The Pacific Islands countries consist of thousands of isolated islands with a combined population of over 10 million people. It is a heterogeneous and diverse region culturally, linguistically economically and politically. Health challenges are considerable and healthcare systems are often overstretched. Framed in the context of the World Health Organisation's strategic directions and policy priorities, this paper describes an account of collaboration across these countries to develop leadership skills in the nursing and midwifery professions. It outlines lessons for nursing leadership, healthcare policy development and the valuable role of Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers. The South Pacific Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers Alliance (SPCNMOA) is a cooperative partnership, which was formed to improve the quality of healthcare in the region. It acts as an enabler to promote leadership skills and provide a safe space for learning, developing policy and the sharing of good practice. Through mentorship programs, international meetings and strong relationship-building, the SPCNMOA has strengthened partnerships within the region and improved community health services in even the most remote areas. By strengthening leadership and collaboration, these health professionals are now recognised by key policy makers as knowledgeable experts who have a legitimate role in guiding policy development, changing practice and delivering health policy improvements at local, country and international levels.
Assuntos
Tocologia , Cuidados de Enfermagem , Feminino , Saúde Global , Política de Saúde , Humanos , Liderança , GravidezRESUMO
PURPOSE: To highlight ongoing and emergent roles of nurses and midwives in advancing the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 at the intersection of social and economic inequity, the climate crisis, interprofessional partnership building, and the rising status and visibility of the professions worldwide. DESIGN: Discussion paper. METHODS: Literature review. FINDINGS: Realizing the Sustainable Development Goals will require all nurses and midwives to leverage their roles and responsibility as advocates, leaders, clinicians, scholars, and full partners with multidisciplinary actors and sectors across health systems. CONCLUSIONS: Making measurable progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals is critical to human survival, as well as the survival of the planet. Nurses and midwives play an integral part of this agenda at local and global levels. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Nurses and midwives can integrate the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals into their everyday clinical work in various contexts and settings. With increased attention to social justice, environmental health, and partnership building, they can achieve exemplary clinical outcomes directly while contributing to the United Nations 2030 Agenda on a global scale and raising the profile of their professions.
Assuntos
Tocologia , Enfermeiras e Enfermeiros , Feminino , Saúde Global , Objetivos , Humanos , Gravidez , Desenvolvimento Sustentável , Nações UnidasRESUMO
In an interview, World Health Organization Chief Nursing Officer Elizabeth Iro reflected on nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic and how nurses have risen to the challenges they have faced. Despite the cancellation of virtually all the activities planned to mark 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, she believes that nurses' leadership, courage, compassion, commitment and expertise have been revealed to the world like never before. However, it is critical to nurture and support the next generation of nurses so that they can help to bring about the necessary reforms for health systems around the world.
Assuntos
COVID-19/enfermagem , Papel do Profissional de Enfermagem , Pneumonia Viral/enfermagem , Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez/enfermagem , Organização Mundial da Saúde , COVID-19/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Liderança , Tocologia , Pandemias , Pneumonia Viral/epidemiologia , Pneumonia Viral/virologia , Gravidez , Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez/epidemiologia , Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez/virologia , SARS-CoV-2Assuntos
Betacoronavirus/isolamento & purificação , Infecções por Coronavirus/enfermagem , Pneumonia Viral/enfermagem , COVID-19 , Infecções por Coronavirus/epidemiologia , Infecções por Coronavirus/virologia , Humanos , Pandemias , Pneumonia Viral/epidemiologia , Pneumonia Viral/virologia , SARS-CoV-2Assuntos
Saúde Global/normas , Prioridades em Saúde/legislação & jurisprudência , Tocologia/legislação & jurisprudência , Comitês Consultivos , Feminino , Equidade em Saúde , Humanos , Assistência Centrada no Paciente/estatística & dados numéricos , Gravidez , Recursos Humanos , Organização Mundial da Saúde/organização & administraçãoRESUMO
From 2012 to 2014, 18 New Zealand general and rural medical practitioners worked in the Cook Islands on a visiting programme to achieve the following objectives: (1) assess and assist with the capacity of the Cook Islands medical workforce; (2) assist with the infrastructure to improve clinical records and audit; (3) assist with developing a General Practice training programme for the Cook Islands; and (4) develop a training post for the Division of Rural Hospital Medicine in the Cook Islands. Each visiting doctor spent a minimum of 4 weeks in the Cook Islands. This study presents the results of a questionnaire undertaken to evaluate their experiences. There were challenges, but for most, the experience was overwhelmingly positive. There were synergies with rural practice in New Zealand. Working alongside local clinicians and being immersed in the Cook Islands health system led to better understanding of the Cook Islands perspective of rural and remote medicine. The findings provide insight into the early phase of an ongoing programme between the Cook Islands Ministry of Health and New Zealand, which has led to the development of a reciprocal training programme for generalist doctors.