El 23 de julio del 2022, el Director General de la OMS declaró el brote de viruela símica una emergencia de salud pública de importancia internacional. A raíz de esa declaración, se puso en marcha un dispositivo de respuesta coordinada con el objeto de interrumpir la transmisión y proteger a l...os grupos en situación de vulnerabilidad. En estas orientaciones se tratan diferentes aspectos relativos al uso de vacunas para respaldar las intervenciones primarias de salud púbica en la respuesta para detener la trasmisión de persona a persona. Tienen como propósito brindar información útil y accesible acerca de las vacunas contra la viruela símica a fin de facilitar el despliegue de estrategias de prevención adaptadas a la situación epidemiológica, con base en las recomendaciones de la VIII Reunión ad hoc del Grupo Técnico Asesor de la OPS sobre Enfermedades Prevenibles por Vacunación.
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Introduction Pharmacovigilance (PV) systems to monitor drug and vaccine safety are often inadequate in sub-Saharan
Africa. In Malawi, a PV enhancement initiative was introduced to address major barriers to PV.
Objective The objective of this initiative was to improve reporting of adverse events (A...Es) by strengthening passive safety
surveillance via PV training and mentoring of local PV stakeholders and healthcare providers (HCPs) at their own healthcare
facilities (HCFs).
Methods An 18-month PV training and mentoring programme was implemented in collaboration with national stakeholders,
and in partnership with the Ministry of Health, GSK and PATH. Two-day training was provided to Expanded Programme on
Immunisation coordinators, identified as responsible for AE reporting, and four National Regulatory Authority representa-
tives. Abridged PV training and mentoring were provided regularly to HCPs. Support was given in upgrading the national
PV system. Key performance indicators included the number of AEs reported, transmission of AE forms, completeness of
reports, serious AEs reported and timeliness of recording into VigiFlow.
Results In 18 months, 443 HCPs at 61 HCFs were trained. The number of reported AEs increased from 22 (January 2000 to
October 2016) to 228 (November 2016 to May 2018), enabling Malawi to become a member of the World Health Organization
Programme for International Drug Monitoring. Most (98%) AE report forms contained mandatory information on reporter,
event, patient and product, but under 1% were transmitted to the national PV office within 48 h.
Conclusion Regular PV training and mentoring of HCPs were effective in enhancing passive safety surveillance in Malawi,
but the transmission of reports to the national PV centre requires further improvement.
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The webpage from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) discusses the heightened risk that individuals with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)—such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer—face regarding severe illness and mortality from COVID-19. It emphasizes the necessity of informi...ng the public about these health risks and adapting healthcare services to ensure the continuity of essential NCD care during the pandemic. The page provides information and guidance for healthcare providers and the public on managing NCDs in the context of COVID-19, highlighting the importance of addressing NCDs and their risk factors with a medium- to long-term perspective.
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The webpage from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) discusses the heightened risk that individuals with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)—such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer—face regarding severe illness and mortality from COVID-19. It emphasizes the necessity of informi...ng the public about these health risks and adapting healthcare services to ensure the continuity of essential NCD care during the pandemic. The page provides information and guidance for healthcare providers and the public on managing NCDs in the context of COVID-19, highlighting the importance of addressing NCDs and their risk factors with a medium- to long-term perspective.
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This report is one of the first major products of the newly established Precision Public Health Metrics unit of the UCN cluster of the WHO Regional Office for Africa. The report presents national trends in communicable and non-communicable disease burden and control in the WHO African region. It tra...cks progress made with respect to disease burden reduction, elimination and eradication. It also highlights major emerging threats, opportunities and priorities in the fight against commu- nicable and non-communicable diseases in the region. It covers the period 2000-2022, but for some indicators, information is available only up to 2021.
The report shows the number of reported cases for malaria and vaccine preventable diseases (meningitis, measles, yellow fever, pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, and polio); disease incidence due to HIV, tuberculosis and four major noncommunicable diseases (cardiovas- cular diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic respira- tory diseases).
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The Cedars-Sinai webpage on occupational lung diseases provides an overview of various lung conditions caused by exposure to harmful substances in the workplace. It outlines common types of occupational lung diseases, including asbestosis, silicosis, coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, and chemical-rela...ted lung disorders. The page details symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, and chest pain, emphasizing the importance of early detection and treatment. Preventative measures, including workplace safety practices and protective equipment, are also highlighted to reduce risk. The information underscores the role of medical evaluation and ongoing management for individuals exposed to occupational hazards.
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There is paucity of data on the burden and specific drivers operative in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the African setting and populations. Lack of awareness and inadequate knowledge on the aetio-pathogenesis of the disease together with inadequate capacity for ...COPD care contributes to preventive and management challenges. Thus, the majority of patients with COPD are misdiagnosed, misclassified and mismanaged or undertreated. With the struggling improvement in the quality of healthcare in Africa, studies conducted over the last 10 years indicates the rising trends in both the risk factors and the burden of COPD. The role of new risk factors such as indoor pollution, infections with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), in the pathogenesis of COPD in Africa is increasingly being recognized. This literature review attempts to collect and synthesize information that could be useful in improving COPD care and informing the governments to take appropriate actions for prevention, diagnosis and management of COPD in Africa.
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The document is an instructional guide by the American Lung Association on how to properly use a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with a valved holding chamber (spacer) and mask, specifically in Swahili. It provides step-by-step directions for preparing and using the inhaler to ensure effective medication... delivery for conditions such as asthma. The guide includes practical tips, cleaning advice, and contact information for further support from respiratory professionals through the American Lung Association's helpline.
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Outbreaks of mpox in newly affected countries have mostly been identified in communities of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men who have had recent sexual contact with a new partner or partners. Communities of trans and gender diverse people linked to the same sexual networks have also... been affected.
This document (updated in March 2023) is intended for use by individuals, community leaders, influencers, health workers and others affected by or working on the mpox outbreak. It contains information to help people reduce their risk of mpox and to help slow the spread of the virus. This is the third version of this publication – it has been updated based on current public health advice.
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex disease that requires differential diagnosis and proper classification to identify appropriate therapy. Nonpharmacologic therapy and preventative measures should be utilized to prevent worsening of disease, symptoms, and complications. The Gl...obal Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines classify a patient’s COPD and provide recommendations for first-line treatment. The 2021 update included information regarding the use of e-cigarettes as nicotine replacement, triple therapy, and how the SARS-CoV-2 virus impacted patients with COPD. This article will focus on the diagnosis, classification, and treatment of COPD, as well as recently updated information regarding the use of e-cigarettes and the impact of COVID-19.
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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...sthma care intervention for children in Malawi, which included reallocation of asthma education tasks to lay-educators. In this qualitative sub-study, we explored the experiences of asthmatic children, their families and lay-educators, to assess the acceptability, facilitators and barriers, and perceived value of the task-shifting asthma education intervention.
Methods
We conducted six focus group discussions, including 15 children and 28 carers, and individual interviews with four lay-educators and a senior nurse. Translated transcripts were coded independently by three researchers and key themes identified.
Results
Prior to the intervention, participants reported challenges in asthma care including the busy and sometimes hostile clinical environment, lack of access to information and the erratic supply of medication. The education sessions were well received: participants reported greater understanding of asthma and their treatment and confidence to manage symptoms. The lay-educators appreciated pre-intervention training, written guidelines, and access to clinical support. Low education levels among carers presented challenges, requiring an open, non-critical and individualised approach.
Discussion
Asthma education can be successfully delivered by lay-educators with adequate training, supervision and support, with benefits to the patients, their families and the community. Wider implementation could help address human resource shortages and support progress towards Universal Health Coverage.
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This document updates the ARIA sections on the links between rhinitis and asthma. Relevant publications between January 2000 and December 2005 were included. Complementary and alternative medicine is not evaluated in this document since it has been published separately. Likewise, an update on pharma...cological therapy of AR was published separately. Therefore, in the therapeutical component of the current review we decided to focus on aspects related to concomitant rhinitis and asthma.
The aim of this review was to present new evidence related to major ARIA statements, either to support or to refute them, by bringing the most recent information in the context of the previous knowledge on this subject. Additionally, we looked for information that could potentially lead to novel statements.
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There has been a global outbreak of mpox since 2022; this outbreak has been caused by the strain of mpox virus called Clade 2 and has affected around 116 countries worldwide. The current surge in cases is being driven by the rapid spread of a different strain – Clade 1b – which is predominantly ...affecting countries across the African region, particularly DRC, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda [1]. The guidance in this document applies to both Clades of mpox. WHO publishes a dashboard of updated cases globally here. Different Clades and Sub-Clades of mpox behave slightly differently to each other; WHO is monitoring for any significant differences between the Clades, including transmission routes. This guidance will be updated as more information becomes available on this issue.
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On 13 August 2024, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared the ongoing Mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS). This was followed the next day by the World Health Organization (WHO), which extended the alert internationally as a public ...health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). After these declarations, many countries have made efforts to mobilize resources to introduce or expand laboratory testing, surveillance, and response activities. In particular, as the number of suspected cases surges in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, and the Central African Republic, and an increasing number of new countries report cases, there is an urgent need to implement testing to strengthen the Mpox response. However, access to appropriate quality assured diagnostics is a challenge. There is limited information on important characteristics, such as available test kits’ performance and ability to detect relevant clades.
To address the challenge of mpox access in the continent, the Africa CDC Diagnostic Advisory Committee (DAC) met in Kigali from 19-23 August 2024 to review the available evidence on molecular tests for Mpox and to shortlist tests that may be useful for Mpox testing in countries. The shortlist aims to provide guidance to Africa CDC, countries and partners on appropriate high-quality molecular tests to procure and use for the mpox response.
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The prevalance of asthma an allergy, defined as immunologically mediated hypersensitivity, is increasing. It is estimated that over 20% of the world population suffers from IgE-mediated allergic disease, such as allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis, atopic eczema/atopic der...matitis, and anaphylaxis. Asthma, which in more than 50% of adults and in at least 80% of affected children is allergic, occurs in around 5-15% in the paediatric population. Asthma it estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) to affect about 150 million people worldwide, placing an enormous strain on health resources in many countries, and is a major cause of hospitalizations for chronic diseases in children in the western wolrd.
Information may be derived from areas where a rapid increase in disease has occured, to from the basis for prevention strategies in areas where the prevalence of these diseases is still low. Where current expert opinion is still divided, where future research is required, or studies have provided negative results, the available information may prevent the implementation of unnecessary, restrictive, and costly avoidance strategies.
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To give you a better idea of when and how psychotherapy can help you, we have written this brochure titled Paths to Psychotherapy. While it is therefore primarily intended for people who have never been treated by a psychotherapist, the brochure can also enable those who have previously had psychoth...erapy to find out about the range of psychotherapeutic care and assistance that is currently available. Regardless of your previous experience with psychotherapy, this brochure offers you clear information about what a mental illness is, whether scheduling an initial appointment is advisable, and the circumstances in which psychotherapeutic treatment is necessary.
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Coronavirus disease 2019 has a mild disease course in children and adolescents. Chronic respiratory conditions, including asthma, have been suggested as risk factors; however, asthma in children is highly variable in both triggers and severity.
During the pandemic, pediatric asthma services limite...d consultations and established virtual clinics. However, respondents perceived their patients’ asthma control to be retained or even improved, while treatment adherence was considered increased. Children with asthma were not disproportionately affected by coronavirus disease 2019.
Trigger avoidance and treatment adherence can rapidly improve asthma control in children, even under lockdown pressure. Children/adolescents with asthma do not appear to need additional prophylactic measures from coronavirus disease 2019 when asthma is well-treated. This article analyses the effect of COVID-19 on Asthma in children, providing information for management guidelines.
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The HIV/AIDS Sustainability Index Dashboard is a tool completed every two years by President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) teams, host government and partner stakeholders to sharpen the understanding of each country’s sustainability landscape and to assist PEPFAR and other donors in ...making informed HIV/AIDS investment decisions. Based on responses to more than 100 questions, the SID assesses the current state of sustainability of national HIV/AIDS responses across 17 critical elements. Scores for these elements are displayed on a color-coded dashboard, together with contextual charts and information. As the SID is completed over time,
it will allow stakeholders to track progress and gaps across these key components of financial and programmatic sustainability.
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This integrated operational framework provides an overview of the connections between mental health, neurological and substance use (MNS) conditions, and their links to health, well-being and the broader public health and sustainable development agenda. The need for integrated approaches is increasi...ngly recognized as critical to address the complex interactions between mental health, brain health, substance use, and physical health, particularly in light of global threats such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The framework also provides a series of actions for governments and health service planners and advisors to achieve integration across four domains: leadership and governance; care services; promotion and prevention; and health information systems, evidence generation and research.
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For over 23 years, CDC has collaborated in Malawi with local and international partners to strengthen health systems. The office works to prevent, detect and respond to diseases. Efforts include building healthcare workforce capacity, strengthening laboratory systems, and increasing the capacity of ...surveillance and health information systems. CDC also implements high-impact HIV and tuberculosis programs through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and supports malaria control activities under the U.S. President's Malaria Initiative.
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