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Air pollution exposure—the (in)visible risk factor for respiratory diseases

Bălă, G.P.; Râjnoveanu, R.M.; Tudorache, E. et al. Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2021) CC

There is increasing interest in understanding the role of air pollution as one of the greatest threats to human health worldwide. Nine of 10 individuals breathe air with polluted compounds that have a great impact on lung tissue. The nature of the relationship is complex, and new or updated data are... more

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Summary of National Priorities - Malawi

Community Health Roadmap United States Agency for International Development; Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; The Rockefeller Foundation; World Bank Group; community health acceleration partnership; unicef (2021) CC

Malawi’s first National Community Health Strategy (NCHS, 2017-2022) defines a new community health system in which community health cadres, both formal and non-formal, deliver services of the Essential Health Package, with a focus on child and maternal health. It envisages an integrated approach t... more

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Qualitative assessment of community health workers’ perspective on their motivation in community-based primary health care in rural Malawi

Ndambo, M.K.; Munyaneza, F.; Aron, M.B. et al. BMC Health Services Research (2022) CC

Background: Community Health Workers (CHWs) have a positive impact on the provision of community-based primary health care through screening, treatment, referral, psychosocial support, and accompaniment. With a broad scope of work, CHW programs must balance the breadth and depth of tasks to mainta...in CHW motivation for high-quality care delivery. Few studies have described the CHW perspective on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to enhance their programmatic activities. Methods: We utilized an exploratory qualitative study design with CHWs employed in the household model in Neno District, Malawi, to explore their perspectives on intrinsic and extrinsic motivators and dissatisfiers in their work. Data was collected in 8 focus group discussions with 90 CHWs in October 2018 and March–April 2019 in seven purposively selected catchment areas. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed using Dedoose. Results: Themes of complex intrinsic and extrinsic factors were generated from the perspectives of the CHWs in the focus group discussions. Study results indicate that enabling factors are primarily intrinsic factors such as positive patient outcomes, community respect, and recognition by the formal health care system but can lead to the chal- lenge of increased scope and workload. Extrinsic factors can provide challenges, including an increased scope and workload from original expectations, lack of resources to utilize in their work, and rugged geography. However, a posi- tive work environment through supportive relationships between CHWs and supervisors enables the CHWs. Conclusion: This study demonstrated enabling factors and challenges for CHW performance from their perspec- tive within the dual-factor theory. We can mitigate challenges through focused efforts to limit geographical distance, manage workload, and strengthen CHW support to reinforce their recognition and trust. Such programmatic empha- sis can focus on enhancing motivational factors found in this study to improve the CHWs’ experience in their role. The engagement of CHWs, the communities, and the formal health care system is critical to improving the care provided to the patients and communities, along with building supportive systems to recognize the work done by CHWs for the primary health care systems. more

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Access to health care for people with disabilities in rural Malawi: what are the barriers?

Harrison, J.A.K.; Thomson, R.; Banda, H.T. et al. BMC Public Health (2020) CC

People with disabilities experience significant health inequalities. In Malawi, where most individuals live in low-income rural settings, many of these inequalities are exacerbated by restricted access to health care services. This qualitative study explores the barriers to health care access experi... more

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Exploring equity and inclusion in Malawi’s National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation Plan

Ebuenyi, I.D.; Smith, E.M.; Munthali, A. et al. International Journal for Equity in Health (2021) CC

Background Equity and inclusion are important principles in policy development and implementation. The aim of this study is to explore the extent to which equity and inclusion were considered in the development of Malawi’s National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation Plan. Met... more

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Effectiveness of a diabetes program based on digital health on capacity building and quality of care in type 2 diabetes: a pragmatic quasi-experimental study

Moreas Morelli, D.; Rubinstein, F.; Santero, M.; et al. BMC Health Services Research, part of Springer Nature (2023) CC2

Health systems in Latin America face many challenges in controlling the increasing burden of diabetes. Digital health interventions are a promise for the provision of care, especially in developing countries where mobile technology has a high penetration. This study evaluated the effectiveness of th... more

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Challenges in the diagnosis of asthma in children, what are the solutions? A scoping review of 3 countries in sub Saharan Africa

Magwenzi, P.; Rusakaniko, S.; Sibanda, E.N. et al. Respiratory Research (2022) CC

The article is a scoping review that explores the challenges in diagnosing asthma in children in three sub-Saharan African countries: Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda. It identifies key barriers, such as a lack of community awareness, inadequate healthcare access, limited diagnostic tools like spir... more

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Task-shifting to improve asthma education for Malawian children: a qualitative analysis

Nkhalamba, L.; Rylance, S.; Muula, S. A. et al. Human Resources for Health (2021) CC

Background Asthma education, a key component of long-term asthma management, is challenging in resource-limited settings with shortages of clinical staff. Task-shifting educational roles to lay (non-clinical) staff is a potential solution. We conducted a randomised controlled trial of an enhanced a... more

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The missing link: Rethinking and reprioritizing HIV and gender-based violence in fragile settings

UNAIDS (2024) CC

This report explores the extent to which evidence, policy, normative guidance and commitments on HIV and gender-based violence, and their interlinkages, is being translated into action on the ground in fragile settings. These issues are explored through the lens of training of peace support operatio... more

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How to control Asthma

Allergy Foundation South Africa (2024) CC2

Asthma is a long term illness of the lungs that causes the airways to become inflamed and produce lots of mucus. Viral infections, cold air, allergens, exercise, and smoke make the airways “twitchy”; they close easily causing asthma attacks with coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath (see wh... more

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10 Steps toward Mental Health

psy.ch (2022) CC

It offers tips and suggestions that contribute to mental well-being and maintaining a positive outlook on life. Theyare intended as food for thought – try to incorporate one or more of these suggestions into your daily routine and allow yourself to be surprised!

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Ambient air pollution and non-communicable respiratory illness in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review of the literature

Glenn, B. E.; Espira, L. M.; Larson, M. C.; Larson, P. S. BMC (2022) CC2

Aerosol pollutants are known to raise the risk of development of non-communicable respiratory diseases (NCRDs) such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and allergic rhinitis. Sub-Saharan Africa’s rapid pace of urbanization, economic expansion, and population growt... more

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Breast and cervical cancer screening services in Malawi: a systematic review

Pittalis, C.; Panteli, E.; Schouten, E. et al. BMC (2020) CC2

To identify and to assess factors enhancing or hindering the delivery of breast and cervical cancer screening services in Malawi with regard to accessibility, uptake, acceptability and effectiveness. Systematic review of published scientific evidence. A search of six bibliographic databases and gre... more

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Good Practices in Perinatal Mental Health for Women during Wars and Migrations: A Narrative Synthesis from the COST Action Riseup-PPD in the Context of the War in Ukraine

Rodríguez-Muñoz, M. F., Krupelnytska, L. et al. (2022) CC

Since February 24th, 2022, the beginning of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, more than 80,000 women were expected to give birth. Therefore, understanding the impact of war on the perinatal health of women is an important requisite to improve perinatal care. This narrative synthesis has two mai... more

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Prevalence, Etiology, and Outcome of Sepsis among Critically Ill Patients in Malawi

Prin, M.; Onofrey, L.; Purcell, L; et al. (2020) CC2

Most of the global burden of sepsis occurs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), but the prevalence and etiology of sepsis in LMICs are not well understood. In particular, the lack of laboratory infrastructure in many LMICs has historically precluded an assessment of the pathogens leading to ... more

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Home visits versus fixed-site care by community health workers and child survival: a cluster-randomized trial, Mali

World Health Organisation (WHO) (2024) C_WHO

Despite recent global declines, under-five mortality remains high in many of the poorest countries. Barriers to timely quality care, including user fees, distance to facilities and the availability of trained health workers and medical supplies, hinder progress in further reducing morbidity and m... more

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Integrating disease outbreaks and strengthening of health in whole-of-society disaster risk management

UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (2024) CC

The guide aims to provide health and DRM practitioners, planners and policymakers across sectors with targeted information to help them strengthen national health systems and integrate the risks of disease outbreaks in national DRR strategies The following are some of the principles and approache... more

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Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Guidance for the African Region

Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2024) CC

Antimicrobials are medicines, including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics, that are used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals, and plants. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) arises when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to these medicines, ren... more

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Sanitation inspections User guide

World Health Organization WHO (2024) C_WHO

Safe sanitation is essential for health, from preventing infections to improving and maintaining mental and social well-being. Lack of adequate sanitation contributes to diarrhoeal diseases, parasitic infections, and undernutrition, as well as posing significant risks and causing anxiety, especial... more

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Humanitarian Assistance In Disaster Situations

PAHOWorld Health Organization (1999) C_WHO

A guide for effective aid