scholarly journals Wastewater-Based Epidemiology for Cost-Effective Mass Surveillance of COVID-19 in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Challenges and Opportunities

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 2897
Author(s):  
Sadhana Shrestha ◽  
Emi Yoshinaga ◽  
Saroj K. Chapagain ◽  
Geetha Mohan ◽  
Alexandros Gasparatos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Wastewater Management ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Mass Surveillance ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is an approach that can be used to estimate COVID-19 prevalence in the population by detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in wastewater. As the WBE approach uses pooled samples from the study population, it is an inexpensive and non-invasive mass surveillance method compared to individual testing. Thus, it offers a good complement in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) facing high costs of testing or social stigmatization, and it has a huge potential to monitor SARS-CoV-2 and its variants to curb the global COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this review is to systematize the current evidence about the application of the WBE approach in mass surveillance of COVID-19 infection in LMICs, as well as its future potential. Among other parameters, population size contributing the fecal input to wastewater is an important parameter for COVID-19 prevalence estimation. It is easier to back-calculate COVID-19 prevalence in the community with centralized wastewater systems, because there can be more accurate estimates about the size of contributing population in the catchment. However, centralized wastewater management systems are often of low quality (or even non-existent) in LMICs, which raises a major concern about the ability to implement the WBE approach. However, it is possible to mobilize the WBE approach, if large areas are divided into sub-areas, corresponding to the existing wastewater management systems. In addition, a strong coordination between stakeholders is required for estimating population size respective to wastewater management systems. Nevertheless, further international efforts should be leveraged to strengthen the sanitation infrastructures in LMICs, using the lessons gathered from the current COVID-19 pandemic to be prepared for future pandemics.

scholarly journals Achieving Viral Suppression in 90% of People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus on Antiretroviral Therapy in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (10) ◽  
pp. 1487-1491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean B Nachega ◽  
Nadia A Sam-Agudu ◽  
Lynne M Mofenson ◽  
Mauro Schechter ◽  
John W Mellors
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Term Treatment ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Long Term Treatment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract Although significant progress has been made, the latest data from low- and middle-income countries show substantial gaps in reaching the third “90%” (viral suppression) of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 goals, especially among vulnerable and key populations. This article discusses critical gaps and promising, evidence-based solutions. There is no simple and/or single approach to achieve the last 90%. This will require multifaceted, scalable strategies that engage people living with human immunodeficiency virus, motivate long-term treatment adherence, and are community-entrenched and ‑supported, cost-effective, and tailored to a wide range of global communities.

scholarly journals Education, Work, and Motherhood in Low and Middle Income Countries: A Review of Equality Challenges and Opportunities for Women with Disabilities

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belaynesh Tefera ◽  
Marloes L. Van Engen ◽  
Alice Schippers ◽  
Arne H. Eide ◽  
Amber Kersten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Women With Disabilities ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Governmental Organization ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
The Government ◽  
Low And Middle Income

This study looks at the equality challenges and opportunities for women with disabilities in low and middle income countries (LMICs) to participate and succeed in education, employment and motherhood. It is based on a systematic review of the literature from academic and non-governmental organization databases. The search of these databases yielded 24 articles, which were subsequently passed through open, axial, and selective coding. The resulting review found that women with disabilities in LMICs have severe difficulty participating and succeeding in education, employment and motherhood due to a number of interrelated factors: (i) hampered access to education, employment, intimacy and marriage, (ii) stigma and cultural practices resulting in discrimination and prejudice, and (iii) lack of support from family, teachers and institutions—all of which are exacerbated by poverty. Support from families, communities, the government, and non-governmental organizations improves women’s ability to fulfil their social roles (as students, employees and mothers), resulting in a better quality of life. Strategies that create awareness, minimize poverty and facilitate justice may improve the opportunities for women with disabilities in LMICs to participate in education, employment and motherhood, as well as their ability to succeed in these domains.

Challenges and possibilities of developing cardiac surgery in a peripheral hospital of low- and middle-income countries

Perfusion ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-43
Author(s):  
Kaushal K Tiwari ◽  
Julia Grapsa ◽  
Shankar Laudari ◽  
Michal Pazdernik ◽  
Dominique Vervoort
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Surgery ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Surgical Care ◽  
Capital City ◽  
World Population ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Peripheral Hospital ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Objective: Over a million cardiac surgeries are performed every year around the globe. However, approximately 93% of world population living in low- and middle-income countries have no access to cardiac surgery. The incidence of rheumatic and congenital heart disease is high in Nepal, while only 2,500-3,000 cardiac surgeries are performed annually. The aim of our study is to analyze challenges and opportunities of establishing a cardiac surgery program in a peripheral hospital of Nepal. Methods: We analyzed our effort to establish a cardiac surgery program in a peripheral hospital in Nepal. Results: Out of 2,659 consulted and diagnosed patients, we performed 85 open-heart surgeries in 4 years. Mean age of patients was 38.35 ± 14.13 years. The majority of patients were male (62.4% of patients) with 65.9% suffering from rheumatic heart disease. Average intensive care unit stay and hospital stay were 2.32 ± 1.1 and 8.29 ± 2.75 days, respectively. No in-hospital mortality was observed. Conclusion: We conclude that developing cardiac surgical care in a peripheral hospital of a developing country is feasible with support from government, foreign colleagues, local teams, and non-governmental organizations. The availability of a regular cardiac surgery service in the periphery of the country makes such services more accessible for the patients and helps in reducing the long waiting lists and unmanageable workload in the established cardiac centers in the capital city.

scholarly journals Patients' perceptions of self-management of high blood pressure in three low- and middle-income countries: findings from the BPMONITOR study

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tala Al-Rousan ◽  
M. Amalia Pesantes ◽  
Sufia Dadabhai ◽  
Namratha R. Kandula ◽  
Mark D. Huffman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
High Blood Pressure ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Caregiver Support ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Perceptions And Attitudes ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract Hypertension is the leading risk factor for global disease burden. Self-management of high blood pressure (BP) through self-monitoring and self-titration of medications, has proved to be one successful and cost-effective tool to achieve better BP control in many high-income countries but not much is known about its potential in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We used semi-structured questionnaires and focus groups in three LMICs; Peru, Cameroon and Malawi to examine perceptions and attitudes of patients diagnosed with essential hypertension towards living with hypertension, BP measurement and treatment, patient–physician relationship and opinions about self-management of high blood pressure. Results in all three countries were comparable. Patients showed varied levels of health literacy related to hypertension. BP measurement habits were mostly affected by resources available and caregiver support. Treatment and adherence to it were primarily affected by cost. Most patients were welcoming of the idea of self-management but skeptical about the ability to do self-monitoring accurately and the safety involving self-titration of medications.

scholarly journals Strategies to Improve Stroke Care Services in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 45-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeyaraj Durai Pandian ◽  
Akanksha G. William ◽  
Mahesh P. Kate ◽  
Bo Norrving ◽  
George A. Mensah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Stroke Services ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Background: The burden of stroke in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is large and increasing, challenging the already stretched health-care services. Aims and Objectives: To determine the quality of existing stroke-care services in LMICs and to highlight indigenous, inexpensive, evidence-based implementable strategies being used in stroke-care. Methods: A detailed literature search was undertaken using PubMed and Google scholar from January 1966 to October 2015 using a range of search terms. Of 921 publications, 373 papers were shortlisted and 31 articles on existing stroke-services were included. Results: We identified efficient models of ambulance transport and pre-notification. Stroke Units (SU) are available in some countries, but are relatively sparse and mostly provided by the private sector. Very few patients were thrombolysed; this could be increased with telemedicine and governmental subsidies. Adherence to secondary preventive drugs is affected by limited availability and affordability, emphasizing the importance of primary prevention. Training of paramedics, care-givers and nurses in post-stroke care is feasible. Conclusion: In this systematic review, we found several reports on evidence-based implementable stroke services in LMICs. Some strategies are economic, feasible and reproducible but remain untested. Data on their outcomes and sustainability is limited. Further research on implementation of locally and regionally adapted stroke-services and cost-effective secondary prevention programs should be a priority.

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