Health transformation toward universal healthcare coverage amidst conflict: examining the impact of international cooperation in Niger.

Background: Approximately 70% of Sub-Saharan African countries have experienced armed conflicts with significant battle-related fatalities in the past two decades. Niger has witnessed a substantial rise in conflict-affected populations in recent years. In response, international cooperation has aimed to support health transformation in Niger's conflict zones and other conflict-affected areas in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study seeks to review the available evidence on health interventions facilitated by international cooperation in conflict zones, with a focus on Niger. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search was conducted from 2000 to 4 September 2022 using MeSH terms and keywords to identify relevant studies and reports in Sub-Saharan Africa and specifically in Niger. Databases such as PubMed (Medline), Google Scholar, Google, and gray literature were utilized. The findings were presented both narratively and through tables and a conceptual framework. Results: Overall, 24 records (10 studies and 14 reports) that highlighted the significant role of international cooperation in promoting health transformation in conflict zones across Sub-Saharan Africa, including Niger, were identified. Major multilateral donors identified were the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), World Bank, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, European Commission Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), Global Fund, and Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI). Most supports targeted maternal, newborn, child, adolescent, and youth health, nutrition, and psycho-social services. Furthermore, interventions were in the form of public health initiatives, mobile clinic implementation, data management, human resource capacity building, health information systems, health logistics, and research funding in conflict zones. Conclusion: This literature review underscores the significant engagement of international cooperation in strengthening and transforming health services in conflict-affected areas across Sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular focus on Niger. However, to optimize the effectiveness of healthcare activities from short- and long-term perspectives, international partners and the Ministry of Public Health need to re-evaluate and reshape their approach to health intervention in conflict zones.

[Determinants of the choice of healthcare worker positions in rural areas in Burkina Faso.] / Déterminants du choix des postes en zone rurale par les professionnels de santé au Burkina Faso.

INTRODUCTION: In 2014, in Burkina Faso, more than 60% of healthcare workers were working in urban areas to the detriment of rural areas. The two largest cities concentrated the majority of healthcare workers, while these cities represent only 10% of the population. This study was designed to identify incentive strategies that could enable more equitable deployment of healthcare workers. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2016 in six health regions in Burkina Faso. Key informant interviews were conducted to determine the factors influencing the choice of jobs. The results were used to construct job packages useful for the discrete choice experiment survey.Levels of preferences for 1,173 health workers for incentive packages linked to the job were explored by means of electronic questionnaire data collection.Sawtooth software was used to develop and randomize job pairing preferences proposed to healthcare workers. STATA14 software was used for mixed-logit analysis. RESULTS: The determinants to promote more equitable deployment and maintenance of health workers in their workplace include access to good accommodation, on-job training, responsibility, and improved salaries.In terms of acceptability of deployment, more than 75% (p-value < 0.001) of workers would agree to be redeployed in rural areas if the above conditions were met. CONCLUSION: Adequate and sustainable human resource development strategies should be set up by policymakers in order to improve the maintenance of healthcare workers in rural areas.