Colombia is characterized by a fragile and prolonged humanitarian context marked by recurrent multi-hazards affecting its territories and combined with severe structural and systemic challenges within the health system. Recent shocks, including the
COVID-19 pandemic, growing violence within the Col...ombian territories and along the border with Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), and repetitive hydro-meteorological disasters over the last 12 months aggravate such chronic challenges.
In 2022, the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance increased by 300 000 due to deteriorating indicators of maternal and child mortality, pregnancy in adolescent girls, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), suicides, sexually transmitted
infections (STIs), gender-based and sexual violence, and communicable diseases. increasing population trends, primarily due to mass migration movements and the persistence of armed conflicts, create access barriers to essential health services, mobility restrictions, and forced displacement, further impacting the health, lives, and well-being of populations in vulnerable situations. In many territories, geographical distance to health facilities and attacks against medical missions hinder providing appropriate healthcare.
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The report provides an overview of alcohol consumption, related health harm, and policy responses in 30 European countries (EU Member States, Norway, and Switzerland). It highlights the high levels of alcohol consumption in the WHO European Region, which contribute to a significant disease burden co...mpared to other regions. The report covers trends in alcohol consumption and harm between 2010 and 2016, noting some progress in reducing alcohol-attributable mortality but stagnation in consumption reduction and heavy episodic drinking.
The assessment of alcohol policies shows variability in implementation across countries, particularly in areas like pricing and reducing the negative consequences of drinking. It emphasizes the need for stronger evidence-based policies, such as better regulation, taxation, and accessibility restrictions, to further reduce alcohol-related harm and achieve health-related Sustainable Development Goals.
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The document "Proposed Policy Priorities for Preventing Obesity and Diabetes in the Eastern Mediterranean Region" by WHO EMRO outlines strategies to address high obesity and diabetes rates in the Eastern Mediterranean. It emphasizes population-wide actions, such as reducing fat and sugar intake, pro...moting physical activity, and implementing fiscal policies like taxes on unhealthy foods. Key focus areas include reformulating processed foods, encouraging healthy food procurement, and enforcing marketing restrictions on high-fat, sugar, and salt foods. The document highlights the need for multi-sectoral collaboration and phased implementation to improve regional health outcomes and reduce the economic burden of these diseases.
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Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease among school-going adolescents worldwide. However, the burden of severe asthma is highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to explore teachers’ perceptions of asthma care across six African countries. We conducted focus group discussions... (FGDs) using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. FGDs were conducted in Kumasi(Ghana), Blantyre (Malawi), Lagos (Nigeria), Durban (South Africa), Kampala (Uganda), and Harare (Zimbabwe) between 01 November 2020 and 30 June 2021. We identified two key themes related to asthma care; barriers to asthma care and suggestions to improve the care of adolescents with asthma. Barriers reported by teachers included a lack of knowledge and skills among themselves, adolescents, and caregivers. In addition, some traditional beliefs of teachers on asthma exacerbated challenges with asthma care in schools. Regarding suggestions, most teachers identified a need for all-inclusive asthma training programmes for teachers, adolescents and caregivers, focusing on acute episodes and mitigating triggers. Utilising teachers with personal experiences with asthma to advocate and support these initiatives was suggested. Further suggestions included the need for annual screening to enable early identification of adolescents with asthma and clarify restrictions on teachers administering asthma medications. Teachers across African schools identify multiple barriers to asthma care. Structured school education programs and annual asthma screening are key to addressing some barriers to care.
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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...y literature was executed to identify relevant studies conducted in Malawi in the English language, with no time or study design restrictions. Data extraction was conducted in Excel and evidence synthesis followed a thematic analysis approach to identify and compare emerging themes.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has brought social and economic crisis that is rapidly exacerbating an ongoing nutrition insecurity in Nigeria.
To contain the spread of the pandemic in Nigeria, the government has put in place a number of measures, one of which is the lockdown in the three states of Lagos, ...Ogun, FCT and lately Kano, which have high COVID-19 confirmed cases. Similarly, several other states have adopted measures, such as movement restriction, in order to curb the spread of the pandemic.
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Los cambios del contexto en 2018 nos traen varios desafíos y oportunidades para el 2019. Este año tuvimos la posesión del Presidente Duque y un redireccionamiento de las prioridades del Gobierno en la agenda nacional. Asimismo, observamos un incremento sustantivo en los flujos migratorios mixtos ...provenientes de Venezuela, mientras en algunas de las zonas históricamente más afectadas por el conflicto armado se ejercían esfuerzos para la implementación de los Acuerdos de Paz con las FARC-EP. En ese contexto, observamos en algunas regiones del país la continuidad de dinámicas de violencia con afectaciones a la población civil y el subsecuente deterioro de los indicadores humanitarios: el desplazamiento interno, restricciones a la movilidad, amenazas y asesinatos a líderes(as) y defensores(as) de derechos humanos, incidentes MAP/MUSE. Todos ellos alcanzaron niveles que no registrábamos desde hace algunos años. Además, la incertidumbre por los diálogos de paz con el Ejecito de Liberación Nacional aumenta el riesgo de estos desafíos.
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Asegúrese de que su respuesta es equilibrada...
Algunas dimensiones que este documento contiene:
• Comunicaciones: Los trabajadores estarán expuestos a información contradictoria y se sentirán ansiosos o confusos sobre la mejor manera de actuar. Asegúrese de comunicar las pautas con p...rontitud, claridad y de manera equilibrada. Por otra parte, comunique la información en su contexto y la razón de las pautas, para que los empleados puedan profundizar en su comprensión y también poder llevar iniciativas en situaciones inesperadas, así como vacaciones, descansos, etc.
• Necesidades del equipo: las restricciones de viajes y reuniones pueden hacer peligrar las necesidades de los empleados para acceder a apoyo social y conexión, atención médica y provisiones diarias o similares. Debe anticiparse y desarrollar soluciones a las mismas y crear un canal de información donde los empleados puedan encontrar la información que necesiten. Muchas de esas necesidades serán específicas de la zona.
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Las fronteras con Colombia y Perú se mantuvieron cerradas y parecería que esta medida se extendería los primeros meses del año 2021. Los contagios por COVID-19 incrementaron de manera sostenida durante el mes de diciembre. Para evitar aglomeraciones y una saturación en el sistema de salud, el G...obierno Nacional (Decreto Ejecutivo No. 1217 / 21 diciembre 2020) declaró el estado de excepción en el territorio nacional, restringiendo la movilidad y el uso de espacios públicos, así como estableciendo un toque de queda.
A pesar de estas restricciones a la movilidad, los refugiados y migrantes continuaron ingresando a Ecuador por pasos irregulares. Se reporta un incremento de ingresos irregulares por la frontera de Tulcán: en el mes de diciembre, hubo entre 350-400 personas ingresando diariamente durante el período de monitoreo (4 horas diarias). Esto representa un incremento del 35% si se lo compara con los ingresos reportados en noviembre.
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We developed an integrated vector surveillance (IVS) proposal for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the Americas, based on eco-epidemiological studies conducted by researchers of the Leishmaniasis Research Network of Argentina. For CL, the transmission was explained in ...the framework of the edge effect, the increase of vectors and risk of exposure at ecotones and environmental interfaces, and typified as ephemeral, transient, or permanent edges, supporting a cost-effective IVS strategy for early warning of CL outbreaks through an environmental modification alert network, which includes multiple sources of information and actors. In relation to VL, the earliest colonization sites and spatial distribution were explained by modeling and forecasting the most likely hotspots, persistent in time and space, and modulated by environmental variables. Therefore, for VL, a scalar strategy of critical site selection is proposed from a “city” scale based on secondary sources such as remote sensing for the definition of possible areas to monitor and intervene, a scale of restriction from possible to most likely areas through local knowledge, and a “focal site” scale of trap placement through field observation; in this way, IVS activities are carried out at a few sites of the urban landscape and allow a sustainable program.
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This research report provides results from the study of living conditions
among people with disabilities in Lesotho. Comparisons are made
between disabled and non-disabled in household level and individual
level. Disability was defined as limitation to perform certain activities that
was measure...d according to the Washington City Group questions.
Results obtained in Lesotho are also compared to those obtained in
earlier studies carried out in Mozambique, Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe
and Malawi. The Lesotho study was undertaken in 2009-2010.
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This document provides guidance for African Union Member States on actions to be taken to ensure they continue to meet all the health
needs of their citizens in accordance with achieving the objectives of the Africa Health Strategy 2016 – 2030.
O presente documento fornece orientações aos Estados-Membros da União Africana sobre as acções a empreender para garantir que continuam a satisfazer todos os requisitos em matéria de saúde
necessidades dos seus cidadãos, de acordo com a realização dos objectivos da Estratégia de Saúde p...ara África 2016 - 2030.
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Arabic Version of Guidance for the continuation of essential health services during COVID-19 pandemic
From Participation to Partnerships (September 2020)
Despite the COVID-19 challenges, children around the world have found meaningful ways to support and protect their peers, families, and communities. Children are on the frontlines of innovative responses and are working closely with their adult al...lies. The leadership demonstrated through these child-adult partnerships is the underlying inspiration for this guide.
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