Human schistosomiasis is caused mainly by 3 schistosome species: Schistosoma haematobium, S. mansoni and S. japonicum. S. guineensis, S. intercalatum and S. mekongi have a highly localized distribution in Central Africa and along the Mekong River in South-East Asia, respectively. Soil-transmitted h
...
elminthiases (STH) are infections caused by 4 parasite species: Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus. The 2 latter species are indistinguishable microscopically and are usually reported together as “hookworms”. Schistosomiasis and STH are neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and are transmitted mainly in areas with poor access to clean water and sanitation. The presence of an intermediate snail host in water is essential to allow Schistosoma to complete their life cycle. Schistosomiasis and STH can cause significant morbidity, including anaemia, nutritional disturbances and, in the case of schistosomiasis, granuloma, organ pathology and cancer, and an increased risk of acquisition of HIV. In women, urogenital schistosomiasis may cause vaginal bleeding, pain during sexual intercourse and nodules in the vulva, now described as female genital schistosomiasis. Groups at risk for STH and schistosomiasis are those in need of micronutrients: preschool-aged children (pre-SAC, 1–4 years of age), school-aged children (SAC, 5–14 years), women of reproductive age (WRA) and, in addition for schistosomiasis adult and entire communities in high-risk areas.
more
The article from the African Journal of Thoracic and Critical Care Medicine provides updated guidelines on endoscopic lung volume reduction (ELVR) for treating advanced emphysema, a severe form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is prevalent in South Africa and other low- and mid
...
dle-income countries. The guidelines focus on identifying suitable patients based on specific criteria, such as age, lung function, and the presence of hyperinflation, while ruling out contraindications like pulmonary hypertension and recent smoking.
ELVR aims to reduce lung volume in the most damaged areas, improving breathing mechanics and quality of life. Various devices, including endobronchial valves, intrabronchial valves, and coils, are reviewed with evidence from clinical trials supporting their use. The guidelines emphasize careful patient selection and recommend only performing ELVR in specialized centers due to its high cost and risk of complications, such as pneumothorax.
more
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) – chief among them, cardiovascular diseases (heart disease and stroke), cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases – along with mental health, cause nearly three quarters of deaths in the world. Their drivers are social, environmental, commercial and geneti
...
c, and their presence is global. Every year 17 million people under the age of 70 die of NCDs, and 86% of them live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
more
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) – chief among them, cardiovascular diseases (heart disease and stroke), cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases – along with mental health, cause nearly three quarters of deaths in the world. Their drivers are social, environmental, commercial and geneti
...
c, and their presence is global. Every year 17 million people under the age of 70 die of NCDs, and 86% of them live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
more
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) – chief among them, cardiovascular diseases (heart disease and stroke), cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases – cause nearly three-quarters of deaths in the world. Their drivers are social, environmental, commercial and genetic, and their
...
presence is global. Every year 17 million people under the age of 70 die of NCDs, and 86% of them live in low- and middle-income countries.
more
L’enquête SMART Rapide a été réalisée dans la commune de Fada N’Gourma, chef-lieu de la province du Gourma dans la région de l’Est. C’est la commune de la région qui accueille le plus de personnes déplacées internes (PDI) depuis le début de la crise sécuritaire (85 574 PDIs à la
...
date du 30 avril 2022)1 . Ces déplacées ont pour la plupart abandonnées leurs moyens d’existence et se retrouvent dans la précarité et sous l’assistance humanitaire et des populations hôtes.
La méthodologie SMART Rapide a été utilisé pour l’évaluation. Les secteurs/villages ont été sélectionnés par le logiciel ENA en utilisant la probabilité proportionnelle à la taille.
Quant aux ménages, ils ont été sélectionnés selon un processus de segmentation, d’échantillonnage aléatoire simple ou systématique. Les données ont été collectés du 13 au 15 juin 2022 par cinq équipes composées d’un chef d’équipe et d’un mesureur chacune. Les équipes ont été supervisées durant la collecte par des superviseurs. Les paramètres collectés étaient l’âge, le sexe, le poids, la taille, le périmètre brachial et la présence des œdèmes. Quatre grappes ont été inaccessibles due aux problèmes sécuritaires.
Au total, 24 grappes (avec l’utilisation des grappes de réserve), 235 ménages et 356 enfants ont été couverts. Les résultats montrent une prévalence de la malnutrition aiguë globale de 15,2% (11,2%-20,2%) selon le rapport poids/taille et 7,8% (5,0%-11,9%) selon le périmètre brachial. La malnutrition aiguë globale combinée est de 16,9% (12,9%-22,0%).
more
L’enquête a été réalisée dans la Commune de Dori, chef-lieu de la province du Seno dans la Région du Sahel. Suite à la crise sécuritaire qui prévaut au Burkina Faso depuis 2016, la commune de Dori a enregistré 66 7981 personnes déplacées à la date du 30 Avril 2022. Ce chiffre est le p
...
lus élevé dans la province du Séno. Les déplacées ont été contraints d’abandonner leurs moyens d’existence, font face à la précarité, bénéficient de l’assistance gouvernementale, des acteurs humanitaires et des populations hôtes.
Il s’agit d’une SMART Rapide. Les secteurs/villages ont été sélectionnés par le logiciel ENA en utilisant la probabilité proportionnelle à la taille. Quant aux ménages, ils ont été sélectionnés selon un processus de segmentation et d’échantillonnage aléatoire simple ou systématique.
Les données ont été collectées du 13 au 15 Juin 2022 par 5 équipes composées d’un chef et d’un mesureur chacune. Les équipes ont été supervisées durant toute la collecte. Les paramètres collectés étaient l’âge, le sexe, le poids, la taille, le périmètre brachial et la présence des œdèmes. Trois grappes ont été inaccessibles due aux problèmes sécuritaires et les trois grappes de réserves prévues à cet effet ont été utilisées.
Au total 25 grappes, 245 ménages, et 246 enfants ont été enquêtés. Les résultats montrent une prévalence de la malnutrition aiguë globale de 19,8 % (IC 95 % ; 14,7 - 26,1) selon le rapport poids/taille) et 5,3 % (IC 95 % : 3,0 - 9,1) selon le périmètre brachial. La malnutrition aiguë globale combinée est de 22,4 % (IC 95 % : 17,3 - 28,5).
more
Background: The human helminth infections include ascariasis, trichuriasis, hookworm infections, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis (LF) and onchocerciasis. It is estimated that almost 2 billion people worldwide are infected with helminths. Whilst the WHO treatment guidelines for helminth infecti
...
ons are mostly aimed at controlling morbidity, there has been a recent shift with some countries moving towards goals of disease elimination through mass drug administration, especially for LF and onchocerciasis. However, as prevalence is driven lower, treating entire populations may no longer be the most efficient or cost-effective strategy. Instead, it may be beneficial to identify individuals or demographic groups who are persistently infected, often termed as being “predisposed” to infection, and target treatment at them.
Methods: The authors searched Embase, MEDLINE, Global Health, and Web of Science for all English language, humanbased papers investigating predisposition to helminth infections published up to October 31st, 2017. The varying definitions used to describe predisposition, and the statistical tests used to determine its presence, are summarised. Evidence for predisposition is presented, stratified by helminth species, and risk factors for predisposition to infection are identified and discussed.
Results: In total, 43 papers were identified, summarising results from 34 different studies in 23 countries. Consistent evidence of predisposition to infection with certain species of human helminth was identified. Children were regularly found to experience greater predisposition to Ascaris lumbricoides, Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium than adults. Females were found to be more predisposed to A. lumbricoides infection than were males. Household clustering of infection was identified for A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and S. japonicum. Ascaris lumbricoides and T. trichiura also showed evidence of familial predisposition. Whilst strong evidence for predisposition to hookworm infection was identified, findings with regards to which groups were affected were considerably more varied than for other helminth species.
Conclusion: This review has found consistent evidence of predisposition to heavy (and light) infection for certain human helminth species. However, further research is needed to identify reasons for the reported differences between demographic groups. Molecular epidemiological methods associated with whole genome sequencing to determine ‘who infects whom’ may shed more light on the factors generating predisposition.
more
Through the unrivalled outreach of the CatholicChurch we are able to bring together localknowledge at the grassroots level with thecombined expertise and resources of a globalnetwork.
accessed July 2020
The Operational guide: use of referral laboratories for the analysis of foodborne hazards in the Pacific aims to strengthen the food analysis capacity of Pacific Island countries and areas by identifying national and reference laboratories capable of testing for priority foodborne hazards. The Pacif
...
ic Island countries and areas are often vulnerable to food safety incidents and emergencies due to their geographical distribution and dependence on food imports. The guide outlines key considerations for selecting referral laboratories and submitting samples to them, enabling continuous improvement of food safety systems and providing safe food for all. The target audiences are health and food safety authorities.
more
Survey report
Four health surveys were performed in Kutupalong Makeshift Settlment (KMS), Balukhali Makeshift Settlement (BMS), Kutupalong Makeshift Settlement Extension (KMS Extension) and Balukhali Makeshift Settlement Extension (BMS Extension). These sites were chosen to ensure that the health
...
status and conditions were measured in both the new settlements and the pre-existing settlements. The surveys measured current and retrospective mortality, the main morbidities affecting the population, global and severe acute malnutrition rates, vaccination coverage rates for key antigens and health-seeking behaviour. Simple random sampling was used with a recall period from 25th February 2017 until the date of interview (30th October to 12th November): approximately 260 days.
more
Introduction
Chapter A.13
This book is a practical manual of mental health care for community health workers, primary care nurses, social workers and primary care doctors, particularly in developing countries.Helpful features include: over 50 illustrations and case studies, jargon-free explanations and descriptions, flow-cha
...
rts on common clinical problems, and a practical guide to the use of psychiatric medicines and simple psychological treatments.
Chapters 1, 9 and 10 can be found on the e-TALC CD-ROM number 2 (April 2003). See www.talcuk.org for details Links to Chapters 2 and 3 above. Printed copies of this book can also be obtained from the Royal College of Psychiatrists www.rcpsych.ac.uk/wnitp
more