Continuity of care during severe civil unrest with a model of community-based HIV care: a retrospective cohort study from Haiti.

Background: There are limited data on the effectiveness of differentiated service delivery (DSD) for HIV care during sociopolitical turmoil. We assessed outcomes with a DSD model of care that includes patient choice between community-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) centres, home-based ART dispensing, or facility-based care at GHESKIO clinic during a period of severe civil unrest in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Methods: This retrospective analysis included data on patients with at least one HIV visit at GHESKIO between May 1, 2019, and December 31, 2021. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess predictors of attending ≥1 community visit during the study period, and failure to attend timely visits. HIV-1 RNA test results were reported among patients who had been ART for ≥3 months at last visit. Findings: Of the 18,625 patients included in the analysis, 9659 (51.9%) attended at least one community visit. The proportion of community visits ranged from 0.3% (2019) to 44.1% (2021). Predictors of ≥1 community visit included male sex (aOR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.20), secondary education (aOR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.14), income > $USD 1.00/day (aOR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.35), longer duration on ART (aOR: 1.08 per additional year; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.09), and residence in Carrefour/Gressier (p < 0.0001 in comparisons with all other zones). Younger age and shorter time on ART were associated with late visits and loss to follow-up. Among 12,586 patients with an on-time final visit who had been on ART for ≥3 months, 11,131 (88.4%) received a viral load test and 9639 (86.6%) had HIV-1 RNA < 1000 copies/mL. Interpretation: The socio-political situation in Haiti has presented extraordinary challenges to the health care system, but retention and viral suppression rates remain high with a model of community-based HIV care. Additional interventions are needed to improve outcomes for younger patients, and those with shorter time on ART. Funding: No funding.

A Qualitative Assessment of the Essential Health and Nutrition Service Delivery in the Context of COVID-19 in Bangladesh: The Perspective of Divisional Directors.

Bangladesh suffered disruptions in the utilization of essential health and nutrition services (EHNS) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The magnitude of the pandemic has been documented, but little is known from the perspectives of health administrators. A rapid qualitative assessment of division-level capacity identified successes and bottlenecks in providing EHNS- and COVID-19-related services during the first months of the pandemic in Bangladesh. Semi-structured interviews were held with the Health and Family Planning Divisional Directors of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The Primary Health Care System Framework guided the content analysis, focusing on (i) service delivery, (ii) communication and community outreach, and (iii) surveillance and service monitoring. Our findings identified low care seeking due to fears of getting infected and unawareness that EHNS were still available. Adaptations to telemedicine were highly heterogeneous between divisions, but collaboration with NGOs were fruitful in reinstating outreach activities. Guidelines were centered on COVID-19 information and less so on EHNS. The inflexibility of spending capacities at divisional and clinic levels hindered service provision. Misinformation and information voids were difficult to handle all around the country. Community health workers were useful for outreach communication. EHNS must be guaranteed during sanitary emergencies, and Bangladesh presented with both significant efforts and areas of opportunity for improvement.

How Universal Is Palliative Care in Colombia? A Health Policy and Systems Analysis.

Colombia's health sector reform has been recognized for its universal health (UHC) coverage scheme. However, this reform evolved without palliative care (PC), thereby omitting a core element of UHC. In this paper, we analyze the Colombian health system reform and health policies in relation to PC. We present the history, innovations, successes, and shortcomings of the reform and summarize the lessons learned to strengthen efforts leading to PC integration. Our analysis is based on the WHO public health framework for PC (policy, access to medicines, education, service provision). For several years and especially during the last decade, the government enacted laws and regulations to improve access to essential medicines and to integrate PC. Relative to other countries in Latin America, Colombia was the first to launch a PC service and to accredit palliative medicine as a specialty, the second to establish a national PC association and one of the few countries with a specific PC law. However, data shows that there are still too few services to meet the PC needs of approximately 250,000 adult patients annually. Our analysis shows that the country's failure to integrate PC most likely is a result of limited health worker education. Advocacy efforts should include deans of schools and provosts, in addition to policy makers and regulators. Other possible factors affecting uptake and implementation of existing national policies are civil unrest and limited collaboration between government offices. Additional research is needed to evaluate the impact of these and other related factors on PC integration in Colombia.

Assessing an inclusive model to increase access to comprehensive gender-based violence response services and improve HIV outcomes in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

Experiences of gender-based violence (GBV) are associated with increased vulnerability to HIV and difficulty accessing HIV services; at the same time, people living with HIV are at an increased risk of GBV. Key populations most affected by HIV - gay and other men who have sex with men, female sex workers and transgender women - also experience a disproportionate burden of GBV. In Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, a local civil society organisation has led efforts to improve and integrate GBV and HIV services while making them welcoming to key population members and people living with HIV. According to interviews with service providers and service users and an analysis of service statistics, the intervention improved service quality and coordination, increased disclosures of violence and increased GBV response service uptake among the general population, key population members and people living with HIV. Findings also suggest that the intervention increased the uptake of HIV services, including HIV testing and post-exposure prophylaxis, and improved mental health among those receiving GBV response services. This case study of integrated GBV and HIV services describes a new model for simultaneously, synergistically and inclusively addressing two major epidemics negatively affecting health and well-being in affected communities today.

Understanding clients, providers and the institutional dimensions of irrigation services in developing countries: A study of water markets in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated nations that nonetheless has largely achieved staple self-sufficiency. This development has been enabled in part by the rapid proliferation of small-scale irrigation pumps that enabled double rice cropping, as well as by a competitive market system in which farmers purchase water at affordable fee-for-service prices from private irrigation pump owners. Excess groundwater abstraction in areas of high shallow tube-well density and increased fuel costs for pumping have however called into question the sustainability of Bangladesh's groundwater irrigation economy. Cost-saving agronomic methods are called for, alongside aligned policies, markets, and farmers' incentives. The study assesses different institutions and water-pricing methods for irrigation services that have emerged in Bangladesh, each of which varies in their incentive structure for water conservation, and the level of economic risk involved for farmers and service providers. Using primary data collected from 139 irrigation service providers and 556 client-farmers, we empirically examine the structure of irrigation service types and associated market and institutional dimensions. Our findings demonstrate that competition among pump owners, social capital and personal relationships, and economic and agronomic risk perceptions of both pump owners and farmers significantly influence the structure of irrigation services and water pricing methods. Greater competition among pump owners increases the likelihood of pay-per-hour services and reduces the likelihood of crop harvest sharing arrangements. Based on these findings, we explore policy implications for enhancing irrigation services and irrigation sustainability in Bangladesh.

Action research improves services for child sexual abuse in one Caribbean nation: An example of good practice.

BACKGROUND: Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a multi-dimensional problem. The search for best practice must consider the complexities surrounding CSA and its management in any particular society. OBJECTIVE: Data previously gathered from service providers on CSA service provision in Trinidad and Tobago identified key deficient issues in policy and practice. In this paper, researchers aimed to bridge the gaps identified, and effect changes to improve services for CSA using an action research methodology. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Service providers from all sectors in governmental and non-governmental organizations in Trinidad and Tobago, who work with children at risk of CSA were involved in the process. METHODS: Researchers led the service providers into an awareness of their own practice through critical discussion of, and reflection on, the key deficient issues. The new knowledge generated, with guided input from evidenced-based best practice, led to the development of guidelines for management. Discussion of the practicability of the guidelines by service providers in multiple sectors generated more new knowledge that refined the management approach. RESULTS: The contextual knowledge obtained from service providers resulted in best practice guidelines for service providers that were culturally relevant and context-sensitive, adaptive and implementable, and allowed a seamless multidisciplinary response to CSA in Trinidad and Tobago within prevailing constraints. CONCLUSIONS: Action research offers an effective approach to improve services for CSA through mobilization of service providers and changes in policy and practice. It is applicable in any setting and likely to be effective in any socio-cultural context.

Implementation of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) Core Sets for Children and Youth with Cerebral Palsy: Global Initiatives Promoting Optimal Functioning.

Background: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) Core Sets for children and youth with cerebral palsy (CP) offer service providers and stakeholders a specific framework to explore functioning and disability for assessment, treatment, evaluation, and policy purposes in a global context. Objective: Describe global initiatives applying the ICF Core Sets for children and youth with CP, with a focus on contributions to clinical practice and challenges in their implementation. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. Ongoing initiatives applying the ICF Core Sets for CP in Russia, Poland, Malawi, and Brazil are included. Results: The main contributions of applying the ICF Core Sets for children and youth with CP include: (1) an objective description of abilities and limitations in everyday activities; (2) a consistent identification of facilitators and barriers influencing functioning; (3) a practical communication tool promoting client-centered care and multidisciplinary teamwork; and, (4) a useful guideline for measurement selection. The main challenges of adopting the ICF Core Sets are related to lack of ICF knowledge requiring intense training and translating results from standardized measures into the ICF qualifiers in a consistent way. Conclusions: Global initiatives include research and clinical applications at the program, service and system levels. The ICF Core Sets for CP are useful tools to guide service provision and build profiles of functioning and disability. Global interprofessional collaboration, capacity training, and informatics (e-records) will maximize their applications and accelerate adoption.

Meeting the communication support needs of children and young people with intellectual disabilities in the Bolivian Andes.

Services available for people with disabilities in Bolivia tend to be fragmented and costly. Children and adults with intellectual disabilities are more likely to have a related communication disability and are thus both literally and metaphorically excluded from having a voice. The following research aimed to explore the experiences of accessing services by people with communication disabilities in Bolivia through semi-structured interviews and one focus group carried out with family members, professionals, service providers, educators and policymakers. It aimed to establish the nature of current services in Bolivia where knowledge, information and resources are scarce. Findings indicated the need to consider an alternative to a medical model approach through a focus on empowering other stakeholders to participate more fully in meeting communication support needs. Conclusions plot ideas for future service delivery and emphasize the central power of sharing practical and expert knowledge.

Comparison of two strategies for the administration of injectable depot medroxyprogesterone acetate: among women who returned to a family planning clinic at three- or six-month intervals.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical performance of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) in women who received injections every 3 months at the Family Planning Clinic, and those who received every other injection at a health care facility near their place of residence, only returning to the clinic every 6 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical charts of DMPA users from 2 January 1980 through 31 December 2012 were evaluated for this study. Two cohorts of women were created and compared: those who regularly received DMPA injections every 3 months (3-month group) at the clinic and those who received alternating 3-month injections at a health care facility near their residence house, returning to the clinic every 6 months for an injection (6-month group). In addition, effectiveness rates, reasons for discontinuation, and continuation rates were evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, 2637 women received all injections at 3-month intervals at the clinic, and 1190 women received every other injection at a health care facility near their residence. The women in the 3-month group had higher pregnancy rates and higher discontinuation rates (with the exception of discontinuation due to the loss of libido). CONCLUSION: The women who received alternating injections near their homes were more likely to continue using DMPA as a contraception method and presented lower pregnancy and discontinuation rates (for the majority of reasons), when compared to those women who returned to the clinic every 3 months.

Use of mother and child healthcare services according to social and demographic characteristics in a city in Paraíba, Brazil / Utilizaςão de serviς os de saúde materno-infantil segundo características sociodemográficas em cidade do interior do estado da Paraíba, Brasil / Utilización de servicios de salud materno-infantil según características sociodemográficas en una ciudad del interior del estado de Paraíba, Brasil

Objective: To analyse the type of service used (public or private) for antenatal care and during delivery and post-partum according to maternal social and demographic characteristics in the city of Campina Grande, Paraiba, Brazil. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional analytical study of 633 mothers with children under one year of age who were surveyed in order to gather social, demographic, antenatal, partum and post- partum data, including the type of service used. The association between maternal social and demographic characteristics and the type of service used was analysed. Results: The usage of public services was 77% for antenatal care and 80.1% for delivery/puerperium. A systematic difference was found in the use of public services among women with a lower level of schooling (PR = 1.31 95% CI: 1.14-1.43) and families covered by the social programme (PR = 1.28 95 % CI: 1.14-1.33). Conclusion: Findings highlight inequalities in the use of antenatal and partum/post-partum healthcare services.

Objetivo: Analisar o tipo de serviςo utilizado (se público ou privado) na assistência pré-natal e ao parto/puerpério segundo características sociodemográficas maternas na cidade de Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil. Materiais e métodos: Estudo transversal analítico no qual entrevistaram-se 633 mães de filhos menores de um ano, obtendo-se informaςões sociodemográficas e da atenςão ao pré-natal, ao parto e ao puerpério, inclusive sobre o tipo de serviςo utilizado. Analisou-se a associaςão das caraterísticas sociodemográficas maternas com o tipo de serviςo utilizado. Resultados: A utilizaςão do serviςo público foi de 77,0% na assistência pré-natal e de 80,1% no caso do parto/puerpério. Verificou-se vantagem sistemática na utilizaςão de serviςos públicos de saúde durante o pré-natal e o parto/puerpério nas mulheres de menor escolaridade (PR=1.31 95%CI: 1.14-1.43) e nas de famílias beneficiadas pelo Programa Bolsa Família (PR= 1.28 95%CI: 1.14-1.33). Conclusões: Os achados destacam desigualdades no uso de serviςos de saúde do pré-natal e parto/ puerpério.

Objetivo: analizar el tipo de servicio utilizado (público o privado) en la asistencia prenatal y el parto/ posparto según características sociodemográficas maternas en la ciudad de Campina Grande, Paraíba (Brasil). Materiales y métodos: estudio transversal analítico, en el cual se entrevistaron 633 madres de hijos menores de un año, obteniéndose información sociodemográfica del prenatal, parto y puerperio, incluido el tipo de servicio utilizado. Se analizó la asociación de las características sociodemográficas maternas con dicho servicio. Resultados: la utilización del servicio público fue de 77,0 % en la asistencia prenatal y de 80,1 % en el parto/puerperio. Se encontró una diferencia sistemática en la utilización de servicios públicos en las mujeres de menor escolaridad (PR = 1,31; IC 95 %: 1,14-1,43) y en familias beneficiadas por programa social (PR = 1,28 IC 95 %: 1,14-1,33). Conclusión: los hallazgos destacan desigualdades en la utilización de los servicios de salud prenatal y parto/posparto.

Dual protection to address the global syndemic of HIV and unintended pregnancy in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Syndemic HIV and unintended pregnancy is prevalent in Brazil, where 79% of female HIV cases occur in women of reproductive age and 55% of all pregnancies are unintended. Although increasing condom use to prevent HIV may decrease non-barrier contraception and increase unintended pregnancy, few studies focus on dual protection or dual methods (condoms with another modern contraceptive). AIM: To describe the correlates of dual method use and consistent condom use in women of reproductive age in Brazil. METHOD: Data are from the 2006 Pesquisa Nacional de Demografia e Saúde da Mulher e da Criança, a decennial nationally representative household survey of women of reproductive age in Brazil. Multivariate logistic regression models identify the socio-demographic, sexual debut, fertility and relationship factors associated with dual method use and consistent condom use. RESULTS: Two-thirds of contracepting women in Brazil used dual protection (40% exclusive condoms, 27% dual methods). Consistent condom use in the past year occurred among 61% of exclusive condom users and 27% of dual method users. Dual methods (vs exclusive condoms) was associated with some high school education [relative risk ratio (RRR)=1.69, p<0.05], living in the Southern region (RRR=1.59, p<0.01), and number of children (RRR=1.22, p<0.01), net of other factors. Consistent condom use was associated with condom use at sexual debut [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=1.84, p<0.001], wants no (more) children (AOR=1.86, p<0.001), single/separated relationship status (AOR=2.77/2.45, p<0.001) and using exclusive condoms (vs dual methods: AOR=0.19, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight that targeting and delivering integrated HIV and family planning services should focus on completed/large families. single/separated individuals, and promoting dual protection at sexual debut.

Practical advice for avoidance of pain associated with insertion of intrauterine contraceptives.

Few studies in the scientific literature provide clear direction on the prevention or management of pain associated with intrauterine contraceptive (IUC) placement. Those that have been published have studied small numbers of women and fail to provide definitive conclusions. There are also no guidelines available detailing recognised standard approaches to this problem. The consensus recommendations in this review focus primarily on non-pharmacological and often non-evidence-based interventions. This review includes general considerations, practical recommendations for both routine and more difficult cases and guidance on the optimal choice of instruments. General considerations, including pre-insertion counselling, the setting for the procedure, the confidence and technique of the provider and the interplay between the provider and assistant, can influence women's level of anxiety and, in turn, influence their perception of pain and their overall experience. Further studies are required to refine the optimal strategy for managing pain associated with IUC insertion.

Ministry of Health Jamaica Annual Report 2006

This document looks at the Ministry of Health challenges and achievements of the ministry for the year 2006. It details mission, vision and strategic objectives.. It contains tables that gives usage and performance data in the Public Health Sector. It includes trends in hospital utilization for the period 2002-2006.

Análisis del comportamiento de las consultas de urgencias a través de los rips en el año 2004

Objetivo: Estudiar las características de persona, tiempo y motivo de consulta de los pacientes que fueron atendidos en los servicios de urgencias de Bogotá durante el año 2004 en Empresas Sociales del Estado e Instituciones prestadoras de salud públicas y privadas.MétodosEs un estudio descriptivo de la morbilidad de consultas de urgencias, mediante el análisis de 479.405 registros individuales de prestación de servicios en salud de urgencias en 2004. ResultadosLa mayor solicitud de consultas a los servicios de urgencias la aportaron los niños menores de un año y las personas mayores de 70 años, con tasas de 245,58% (32.563) y 144,81% (29.587) consultas por 10.000 habitantes respectivamente. Los problemas respiratorios y el trauma presentan las tasas más altas 126,3 y 75,5 por 10.000 habitantes, respectivamente. Durante el año el número de consultas fue mayor en marzo: 13,6% (65.164) consultas. El lunes fue el día con mayor número de consultas a los servicios de urgencias, con un 16,3% (76.784) de las mismas, en la semana.Según las causas de salidas, las patologías clínicas y perinatales presentaron las tasas más altas, 51,25% (36.0217) y 25,96% (3.442) respectivamente.ConclusionesLos grupos etáreos extremos son los que más consultan los servicios de Urgencias: de igual manera, se identifica un comportamiento estacional de las urgencias durante los meses del año y los días de la semana; los problemas respiratorios son los más frecuentes, los sigue el trauma; y este presenta una frecuencia de 54.236 casos.

Objective: To study the personality traits, time, and motive for consultation of patients who were attended at Emergency Rooms in Bogotá during the year 2004 in State-run agencies and institutions of health both public and private.MethodsA descriptive study of the morbidity of emergency consultations, through an analysis of 479,405 individuals registered at emergency rooms in 2004.ResultsThe highest rate of emergency services rendered belonged to children younger than 1 year and people older than 70, with rates of 245.58 (32,563) and 144.81 (29,587) consultations per 10,000 inhabitants, respectively. Respiratory problems and trauma represent the highest rates, 126.3 and 75.5 per 10,000 inhabitants, respectively. The greatest number of consultations came in March, representing some 13.6 per cent, (65,164) consultations. The day with the greatest number of emergency room consultations was Monday, representing 16.3 per cent (76,784) of weekly consultations.According to reasons for release clinical pathologies and perinatal care represented the highest rates, 51,25 (360217) and 25,16 (3442) respectively.ConclusionsIt is the marginalized who most frequently visit emergency rooms, likewise we identified a regularly fluctuating pattern of emergencies corresponding to the months of the year and the days of the week. Respiratory problems are the most frequent, followed by trauma. It's worth noting that trauma represents 54,236 cases.

Ministry of Health Jamaica Annual Report 2005

This document looks at the Ministry of Health challenges and achievements of the ministry for the year 2005. It details mission, vision and strategic objectives.. It contains tables that gives usage and performance data in the Public Health Sector. It includes trends in hospital utilization for the period 2001-2005.

Ministry of Health Jamaica Annual Report 2004

This document looks at the Ministry of Health challenges and acheivements of the Ministry for the year 2004. It details mission, vision and strategic objectives.

Ministry of Health Jamaica Annual Report 2000 / Ministry of Health Jamaica Annual Report 2000

This publication looks at challenges and achievements of the Ministry of Health for the year 2000. It contains information on the organization and management of the the health system, organization and utilization of the provision of services, health and wellbeing of the nation.