SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Developing Countries”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 955 records · Page 53Linked to original sources

PubMed1993

The underprivileged, developing country child: environmental contamination and growth failure revisited.

A major public health challenge to human populations in developing countries is poor linear growth and failure to maximize genetic potential in final adult stature. It is now clear that this process occurs in early life, and neither genetics nor dietary intake, or both, is the complete determinant. We suggest that a situation similar to the phenomenon of impaired growth of poultry and livestock reared under unsanitary conditions occurs in children from underprivileged countries. Recent advances in cell biology and immunology suggest that the intermittent or continuous activation of the acute-phase response with the consequent mediation of catabolic and antitrophic metabolic processes is responsible for the antibiotic-responsive growth impairment of chicks raised in unhygienic environments. Ongoing epidemiological studies in poor Third World children provide evidence for a prevalence of acute-phase response activation in the absence of overt clinical signs. The consequences of this immunostimulation of the growing infant or toddler could represent an important additional factor in the failure of children in developing countries to manifest adequate growth and to achieve their genetic potential for adult stature.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

PubMed2005

Using research to inform health policy: barriers and strategies in developing countries.

This article examines the dissemination and uptake of health research into policy and program delivery in four developing countries. In-depth interviews were conducted with health researchers, policymakers, and practitioners at both the local and national level. The study highlights the similarities across the study countries in the barriers to effective dissemination and uptake of research results. A fundamental barrier to the uptake of research by decisionmakers is the lack of appreciation of the important contribution that research can make to policy and program development. A further barrier is researchers' lack of appropriate "packaging" of research findings that consider the needs of different policy audiences. Dissemination within academic circles also restricts access by decisionmakers nd practitioners. Overcoming the barriers requires effort on behalf of researchers, decisionmakers, and donor agencies. The strong presence of donor agencies in developing countries places them in a position both to enable and encourage dissemination activities and communication between researchers and policymakers or practitioners. Increased collaboration between all three parties is one of the key strategies toward increasing the uptake of research into health policy and program development.

Administrative Personnel↗

PubMed2006

Review of the evidence for interventions to increase young people's use of health services in developing countries.

OBJECTIVE: This chapter reviews the evidence base for interventions that aim to increase young people's use of health services in developing countries. METHODS: We identified published and unpublished studies and reports from developing countries that provided information about interventions designed to increase young people's use of health services. The studies were classified into six different types based on whether they included some or all of the following characteristics: training for service providers and clinic staff; making efforts to improve the quality of the facilities; implementing community activities to generate demand and support for the services; and involving other sectors, notably schools and the media. The levels of evidence required to make decisions about policies and programmes were defined for each of these types. FINDINGS: Despite the lack of detailed descriptions of interventions in the studies and difficulties interpreting the data reported in the evaluations, the studies provided evidence of increased use of health services by young people for those types of interventions that included training for service providers, making improvements to clinic facilities and implementing activities in the community, with or without the involvement of other sectors. CONCLUSION: The evidence for the effectiveness of interventions to increase young people's use of health services was sufficient to recommend that interventions that include training for service providers, making improvements to clinics and using activities in the community should be widely implemented with careful monitoring of quality and coverage and that those that additionally involve other sectors should also be widely but cautiously implemented, provided they include a strong evaluation component. Operations research is also required to better understand the content of the interventions and their mechanisms of action.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Right atrial catheter-related complications in pediatric oncology patients: the situation in a developing country.

The complications of right atrial catheters (RACs) in pediatric oncology patients are unknown for centers in developing countries. This study examined the complications of RACs at Ankara University Medical School, Turkey. A total of 90 RACs were placed in 61 children for long-term chemotherapy with a total experience of 15,536 catheter days. The rate of catheter-related sepsis was 4.9 episodes per 1000 catheter days. Coagulase-negative staphylococci and Candida species were the most common organisms, accounting for 25.0 and 13.1% of all organisms, respectively. The most common reasons for the removal of the RACs were infection (42.4%) and dislodgement (32.2%). The rates of complications were significantly higher in this study than in western studies. This increase could be explained by the differences in catheter care practices in the Turkish center. In conclusion, the use of RACs in a developing country necessitates an appraisal of the benefits and risks for each patient and improvement of catheter care procedures.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

State of the science: violence prevention efforts in developing and developed countries.

Violence is an important global public health problem that claims the lives of over 1.6 million people each year and results in numerous other health and social consequences. It is also a preventable health problem. This paper provides an overview of the current status of prevention efforts in developing and developed countries, describes what is known about the effectiveness of different approaches and highlights some of the important challenges in building the evidence-base for violence prevention programmes. Research conducted to date shows an imbalance in the emphasis of prevention programmes across the different types of violence. This imbalance is reflected in the timing of response, the nature and level of influence of interventions and programmes and the outcomes studied. Promising and effective approaches have been identified, but many more still require rigorous testing, particularly in developing countries. The current state of the science in violence prevention reveals both progress and a number of remaining challenges.

Developed Countries↗

PubMed1979

[Tuberculosis in the developing countries and the work of the international Union for the control of tuberculosis (author's transl)].

In the developing countries tuberculosis is one of the most common diseases. According to estimates the number of cases of infectious tuberculosis is 3-4 millions. The guidelines for the effective control of the disease in the developing countries were laid down in a report by a Spezial Committee of the W.H.O. in 1974. The emphasis is 1) on protecting young people as far as possible by BCG vaccination, 2) on the early detection and treatment of as many cases of infectious tuberculosis as possible. The diagnosis does not depend on (expensive) radiographic equipment, as it can be made simply by microscopic examination of the sputum. For treating the infection various efficacious and not too expensive drugs are available which succeed within a few weeks in reducing the process to a non-infectious stage. Sanatorium or hospital treatment is generally not necessary.

BCG Vaccine↗

PubMed2004

Peer review audit of trauma deaths in a developing country.

OBJECTIVES: Peer review of trauma deaths can be used to evaluate the efficacy of trauma systems. The objective of this study was to estimate teh proportion of preventable trauma deaths and the factors contributing to poor outcome using peer review in a tertiary care hospital in a developing country. METHODS: All trauma deaths during a 2-year period (1 January 1998 to 30 December 1998) were identified and registered in a computerized trauma registry, and the probability of survival was calculated for all patients. Summary data, including registry information and details of prehospital, emergency room, and definitive care, were provided to all members of the peer review committee 1 week before the committee meeting. The committee then reviewed all cases and classified each death as preventable, potentially preventable, or non-preventable. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total fo 279 patients were registered in the trauma registry during the study period, including 18 trauma deaths. Peer review judged that six were preventable, seven were potentially preventable, and four were non-preventable. One patient was excluded because the record was not available for review. The proportion of preventable and potentially preventable deaths was significantly higher in our study than from developed countries. Of the multiple contributing factors identified, the most important were inadequate prehospital transfer, limited hospital resources, and an absence of integrated and organized trauma care. This study summarizes the challenges faced in trauma care in a developing country.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Antimicrobial resistance in developing countries. Part I: recent trends and current status.

The global problem of antimicrobial resistance is particularly pressing in developing countries, where the infectious disease burden is high and cost constraints prevent the widespread application of newer, more expensive agents. Gastrointestinal, respiratory, sexually transmitted, and nosocomial infections are leading causes of disease and death in the developing world, and management of all these conditions has been critically compromised by the appearance and rapid spread of resistance. In this first part of the review, we have summarised the present state of resistance in these infections from the available data. Even though surveillance of resistance in many developing countries is suboptimal, the general picture is one of accelerating rates of resistance spurred by antimicrobial misuse and shortfalls in infection control and public health. Reservoirs for resistance may be present in healthy human and animal populations. Considerable economic and health burdens emanate from bacterial resistance, and research is needed to accurately quantify the problem and propose and evaluate practicable solutions. In part II, to be published next month, we will review potential containment strategies that could address this burgeoning problem.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

The challenge of nephroblastoma in a developing country.

BACKGROUND: Advances in paediatric oncology has tremendously improved the outcome in children with nephroblastoma. In most developing countries, however, the survival rate is still very low. OBJECTIVE: To study the outcome and the impediments to the management of nephroblastoma in Southeast Nigeria. METHODS: Analysis of 42 children managed for nephroblastoma over a 10-year period (January 1995-December 2004) at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria is made. Diagnosis was based on clinical, radiologic and histologic evaluation. RESULTS: The peak age incidence was 2-5 years with a male:female ratio of 1.1:1. Abdominal mass was the main presentation in all the children. Treatment consisted of nephroureterectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with Vincristine, Actinomycin D and Cyclophosphamide. Adriamycin was added for metastatic disease. Twenty-two children (52.3%) had stage III disease, 13 (31.0%) had stage IV, while the remaining seven (16.7%) children had stage II. Stage I disease was not encountered. Seven children had inoperable tumor requiring pre-operative chemotherapy. While 25 children were available for evaluation, 17 were lost to follow up. Four children died of complications of treatment, while 11 relapsed with poor outcome. With a mean follow up of 21 months, the 5-year survival rate is 40%. CONCLUSION: Morbidity and mortality with nephroblastoma is high in our environment. Late presentation, poverty, ignorance and poor compliance to treatment constitute a great challenge to the paediatric oncologist in a developing country. Solutions may lie in improving health funding and health information in the health care delivery system. Free health care for children with malignancy is advocated. Collaboration with institutions in the privileged parts of the world may help.

Child↗

PubMed1989

The Malawi anaesthetic machine. Experience with a new type of anaesthetic apparatus for developing countries.

One year's experience with a new type of oxygen concentrator and anaesthetic machine, designed for anaesthesia in developing countries, is presented. The apparatus, its performance and problems are described and the author's suggested modifications to improve the original design are outlined. The apparatus, with these changes, represents a significant advance in oxygen availability for hospitals in developing countries as well as improving the anaesthetic capabilities.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Reducing attrition in panel studies in developing countries.

BACKGROUND: Panel studies offer repeated observations of individuals over time, but the mobility of populations in the developing world often causes attrition in panel studies. Such attrition can cause bias if it is selective but can be reduced by tracking respondents. Tracking in developing countries can be costly and difficult as populations are often highly mobile, infrastructure is poor, structures frequently change, and formal address systems or population records rarely exist. Method In this paper, the attrition and tracking experiences of panel studies in developing countries are reviewed and recommendations made for ensuring effective tracking. Comments Tracking can reduce attrition by up to 45% and is feasible if procedures are locally appropriate, well planned, involve the community, collect as much locating data as possible, and have explicit criteria, and if tracking is done at regular intervals, and interviewers are well trained, supervised, and motivated. CONCLUSION: Attrition is an important issue in panel studies, whilst tracking can be costly it can reduce attrition if effective procedures are used.

Bias↗

PubMed1993

International health teaching: a survey of 100 medical schools in developed countries.

The survey reported here was designed to assess the availability of international health teaching to medical students in developed countries. For the purpose of this enquiry international health teaching was defined as any instruction on comparative morbidity or mortality, service provision, demographic change and disease prevalence in non-industrialized developing countries. The results indicated that this topic is not regarded as being of high priority in the majority of institutions.

Curriculum↗

PubMed2001

Cost analysis of two strategies for preventing hepatitis A virus infection in Spanish travellers to developing countries.

Our objectives were to assess the prevalence of anti-hepatitis A (HAV) antibodies in Spanish travellers to developing countries and to carry out a cost analysis to allow the comparison of two vaccination strategies. Adult subjects were selected from among travellers to developing countries. Information was obtained on age, sex, destination, previous vaccination against HAV and having received immunoglobulin. Blood specimens were obtained for anti-HAV antibody determination. A total of 485 travellers were studied. The prevalence of anti-HAV antibody was 30.5% (95% CI 26-35). Antibody prevalence was inversely correlated with age: 9.8% in 18-25 years of age, rising to 75.4% in those 41-55 years of age. Cost analysis determined that the critical value of prevalence for vaccination with HAV vaccine was 37.5%. It was concluded that the youngest Spanish travellers lack anti-HAV antibodies. Vaccination without screening in those < or = 35 years of age and screening before vaccination for those > 35 years, are the preferred alternatives.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Burns and scalds--epidemiology and prevention in a developing country.

BACKGROUND: Burns and scalds are common presentation to many of our health institutions. Most of these injuries are preventable. Many of the patients however end with severe morbidity or even death. People affected are mostly of poor socioeconomic status. The cost of managing these injuries is high. Coupled with this are poor facilities in most parts of the developing countries like Nigeria and insufficient personnel to take care of this group of people. Study of the epidemiology as well as suggestions on preventive measures are therefore overdue and hence this publication. METHODS: A review of the literature on this subject with emphasis on Nigeria was done bearing in mind the epidemiology and prevention of burn. Literature search was done using the medline as well as local journals. RESULTS: Causes of burn injuries are many in the developing countries. Most of these are however preventable. Some preventive measures have been suggested by workers in this part of the world. Some measures that have worked in reducing burn injuries in some advanced countries and that may be appropriate to our situation are noted and are also suggested in this paper. CONCLUSION: Prevention of burn injuries, based on the epidemiology of burn in developing countries, remains a major way of reducing the current spate of morbidity and mortality in our patients.

Burns↗

PubMed1999

Injuries and noncommunicable diseases: emerging health problems of children in developing countries.

The present article identifies, for children living in developing countries, the major causes of ill-health that are inadequately covered by established health programmes. Injuries and noncommunicable diseases, notably asthma, epilepsy, dental caries, diabetes mellitus and rheumatic heart disease, are growing in significance. In countries where resources are scarce it is to be expected that increasing importance will be attached to the development and implementation of measures against these problems. Their control may benefit from the application of elements of programmes directed against infectious, nutritional and perinatal disorders, which continue to predominate.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Maternal mortality in developing countries. An ongoing but neglected 'epidemic'.

Maternal mortality is one of the great neglected problems of health care in developing countries. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 500,000 women die each year from pregnancy-related causes, more than 98% of these deaths occurring in the developing world. Maternal mortality rates in developing countries are as much as 100 times higher than those seen in industrialized countries. The most common causes include obstructed labor and ruptured uterus, postpartum hemorrhage, eclampsia, postpartum infection, and complications of illegal abortion. It is suggested that no new or costly technologies are needed; rather that appropriate priority-setting and allocation of needed resources are essential to the solution of the problem. There are few interventions that hold much hope of success at the village level, although antibiotics, ergonovine maleate, and sedatives might be usefully utilized, after appropriate training. Overall, however, networks of maternity care facilities, trained personnel, and means of transport are necessary to provide needed emergency maternity care services.

Abortion, Illegal↗

PubMed1983

Indicators for oral health and their implications for developing countries.

A review of WHO global oral data bank information demonstrated numerous examples of change, from the baseline year 1980 to 1982, towards less dental caries in developed countries and higher levels of that disease in developing countries. The changing emphasis of the indicators for the five ages or age groups specified was noted, from dental caries to all causes of tooth loss. The absence of specific indicators for disorders of the periodontium, the occlusion and the oral mucosa were cited as the main deficiencies of the set of indicators. A classification of countries into three groups according to DMF teeth at 12 years, each subdivided according to age of data, was used to suggest three collective goals based on DMF teeth levels at that age. For 5-6-year-olds it was possible only to make a tentative suggestion of two collective goals, 50 and 75 per cent caries-free. For all the indicators, except that at 12 years, the paucity of data was noted and the need emphasized to build up the data base in the global bank to give a realistic support to these indicators. The ever present need to heed the manpower implications of the existing oral disease trends and to improve planning procedures in the oral health sector was stressed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

[Creation of emergency care services in developing countries: luxury or necessity?].

Organization of emergency care services prior to hospital admission has progressed at a satisfactory pace in developed countries. A performance model in this field is the French emergency service called service d'aide médicale d'urgence (SAMU). Socioeconomic conditions prevailing in developing countries have pushed authorities to give priority to preventive medicine. However numerous patients especially young people and women during childbirth die as a result of inadequate facilities for transportation from hospitals and dwellings in outlying areas to major medical centers where the best medical equipment and staff are available. As a result, it may be asked if emergency care services is really a luxury. The authors base their conclusion on analysis of the conditions and outcome of emergency patient care in three African countries in which it is essentially a requirement.

Adult↗