ABSTRACT
Background: Human Development Index [HDI], maternal mortality rate [MMR] and children aged under 5 years mortality rate [U5MR] are fundamental issues, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in HDI, MMR and U5MR from 1980 to 2010 in certain West Asian countries as well as the relationship between these indexes.
Methods: In this ecological study, HDI, MMR and U5MR information from studied countries during 1980 to 2010 was extracted from the gap minder site and then analysed using descriptive and analytical methods, including Spearman correlation.
Results: The lowest and highest rates of HDI and MMR in 2010 were seen in the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan [HDI: 0.49, 0.81; MMR: 7.14, 335.45 respectively]. HDI is rising in all countries studied, with the highest increase in the Islamic Republic of Iran [0.21]. MMR and U5MR saw a decline over the years, with the greatest decrease seen in India, and the lowest and highest child mortality rate in 2010 found in Bahrain and Pakistan [8.3, 91.8 respectively]. However, there was a negative relationship between HDI and MMR [r = -0.7, P < 0.001].
Conclusions: HDI increased during 1980-2010. The highest rate of HDI decrease was observed in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the greatest reduction of MMR was seen in India. Also, the highest decrease in U5MR was related to India as well, while MMR and U5MR rate decreased. Hence, improving HDI might have a definite impact on decreasing MMR and U5MR, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
ABSTRACT
Prompt reperfusion is essential for patients who have myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation. The objective of the study is estimation of door to needle/ balloon time and onset to needle/ balloon time. Our study is a Hospital based retrospective audit of patients who were admitted as a case of ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction conducted in Rashid hospital as well as Dubai hospital [Department of Health and Medical Services-DOHMS] simultaneously from November 2005 to May 2006. One hundred and sixty patients were included in our final analysis. 80 patients were from Rashid Hospital and 80 patients were from Dubai Hospital. In Rashid Hospital the mean door to needle time was 42.8 minutes and the mean door to balloon time was 72 minutes. 31% of the patients were thrombolysed in less than 30 minutes. In Dubai Hospital the mean door to needle time was 35 minutes and the door to balloon time was 71.4 minutes. 43% were thrombolysed in less than 30 minutes only 10% of patients were taken for primary PCI as the catheterization laboratories in both hospitals function only till 14:30 hrs. Although most guidelines recommend a door to needle time of less than 30 minutes and door to balloon time of less than 90 minutes, most of the hospitals do not achieve this in most of their patients. The Door to Needle time and Door to Balloon time in Department of Health and Medical Services [which includes Rashid and Dubai Hospital] is shorter than many other centers