5,327 research outputs found

    Public Service Delivery: Role of Information and Communication Technology in Improving Governance and Development Impact

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    The focus of this paper is on improving governance through the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in the delivery of services to the poor, i.e., improving efficiency, accountability, and transparency, and reducing bribery. A number of papers recognize the potential benefits but they also point out that it has not been easy to harness this potential. This paper presents an analysis of effective case studies from developing countries where the benefits have reached a large number of poor citizens. It also identifies the critical success factors for wide-scale deployment. The paper includes cases on the use of ICTs in the management of delivery of public services in health, education, and provision of subsidized food. Cases on electronic delivery of government services, such as providing certificates and licenses to rural populations, which in turn provide entitlements to the poor for subsidized food, fertilizer, and health services are also included. ICT-enabled provision of information to enhance rural income is also covered

    Family planning

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    IN THIS ISSUE: Accessing long-acting reversible contraception | Expanding access: Public–private partnerships | Breaking down barriers to emergency contraception | One ring for one year | Comprehensive sexual and reproductive health counselin

    Exploring Perceptions of Neonatal Airway Management and Learning Preferences of Traditional Birth Attendants and Midwives Practicing in Rural Uganda

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    Purpose: Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest neonatal mortality rates in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes disparities in care as a contributing factor to neonatal mortality in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC). The WHO has therefore incorporated maternal and newborn care educational programs for Maternal Child Health (MCH) providers. This dissertation includes research that will guide the development of future educational interventions regarding neonatal airway management, tailored to the learning needs of midwives and Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in rural Uganda. Problem: There is an urgent need to provide neonatal resuscitation education and to build clinical capacity in LMIC, where access to health care is poor, particularly in rural areas. The burden of neonatal mortality and long term impairment due to hypoxic brain damage can significantly affect the population. Gap: The WHO has developed programs to address neonatal airway management, which are geared towards physicians, nurses and midwives. Although trained health care workers play an essential role in decreasing the neonatal mortality rate, the limited numbers of formally trained providers are unable to cover rural areas. Therefore, TBAs, who are not formally trained, are an integral part of the maternal-child- healthcare (MCH) and, remain the primary healthcare providers in the rural areas of LMIC. Aim: To review the literature for effectiveness of the educational interventions for neonatal airway management in LMIC. To explore the perceptions of midwives and TBAs practicing in rural Uganda related to: (a) facilitators of and barriers to neonatal airway management and (b) their learning preferences to inform the development of a culturally appropriate neonatal airway management program for better adaptation in local context. Design/Findings: This dissertation consists of three manuscripts that address neonatal airway management in LMIC. The first manuscript reviewed 10 original studies of MCH care programs to identify effective components for, and the dissemination process of, educational interventions for neonatal resuscitation among TBAs. The second manuscript reviewed instruments that are available to measure provider self-efficacy for performing neonatal resuscitation. The third manuscript describes a study, using the focused ethnographic methodological approach and feminist perspective to explore factors affecting neonatal airway management by TBAs, and the need and preferences for educational resources to improve TBAs airway management practices. The findings of all three manuscripts informed the future development of culturally tailored educational intervention using “time honored” teaching methods according to the learning preferences of the TBAs. These educational interventions will be geared towards providing adequate competency and confidence for TBAs to perform neonatal airway managemen

    Behaviour-change communication on health related issues (part two)

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    Several behaviour-change communication (BCC) approaches have been effective in changing health-related behaviours, as well as increasing the demand for appropriate health services. However, limitations have been found in these approaches to varying degrees. As in the first part of this query (part one), results for this review are primarily taken from countries or regions with Islam as the dominant religion. Results from health- and nutrition-related projects using BCC are included for the following socially-conservative settings: Afghanistan, Benin, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Malaysia, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Tanzania, Thailand, and Yemen. These groups therefore have more similar health behaviours and Islamic views on use of health services

    The Growth Costs of Malaria

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    Malaria ranks among the foremost health issues facing tropical countries. In this paper, we explore the determinants of cross-country differences in malaria morbidity, and examine the linkage between malaria and economic growth. Using a classification rule analysis, we confirm the dominant role of climate in accounting for cross-country differences in malaria morbidity. The data, however, do not suggest that tropical location is destiny: controlling for climate, we find that access to rural healthcare and income equality influence malaria morbidity. In a cross-section growth framework, we find a significant negative association between higher malaria morbidity and the growth rate of GDP per capita which is robust to a number of modifications, including controlling for reverse causation. The estimated absolute growth impact of malaria differs sharply across countries; it exceeds a quarter percent per annum in a quarter of the sample countries. Most of these are located in Sub-Saharan Africa (with an estimated average annual growth reduction of 0.55 percent).

    Lifeline: Tech innovations for maternal and child health - Part 1

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    At 16% and 27%, India contributes the highest global share of maternal and new-born deaths. Most of these are preventable through simple, proven and low-cost solutions. With close to a billion mobile phones and over a million broadband connections, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can address the key informational and process challenges to RMNCH+A in India.Dasra's report, Life Line, lays out the key challenges and solutions, alongside the work of scalable and impactful social organizations for funders' consideration

    Momentum, June 2004

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    Effects of technology-based interventions on dietary intake or anthropometrics among adolescents and adults in South Asia-A systematic review of intervention studies

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    Introduction: Mobile technology has been increasingly used as part of dietary interventions, but the effects of such interventions have not been systematically evaluated in the South Asian context. The systematic review aimed to determine the effects of technology-based interventions on dietary intake or anthropometrics among adolescents and adults in South Asia. Methods: Five electronic databases were searched (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Global Health Library and Health Technology Assessment). Studies published in English between 1st January 2011 and 31st December 2021were included. Interventions that evaluated the effects of dietary interventions using technology on dietary outcomes and anthropometrics in adolescents or adults in the age group of 13-44 years (or a broader age group) from South Asia were eligible for inclusion. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk-of-bias 2 tool and ROBINS-I tool. A narrative synthesis was conducted. Results: Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria (20,667 participants). Eleven of the 17 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) had a high overall risk of bias. The four non-randomised intervention studies had a serious or critical overall risk of bias. When including studies with low risk or some concern for bias, the interventions had a beneficial effect on at least one dietary outcome in four of the six RCTs that measured changes in diet, and no effect on the anthropometric outcomes in the six RCTs that measured changes in anthropometric outcomes.Discussion: Technology-based dietary interventions have had some positive effects on dietary intake, but no effects on anthropometry in South Asia. More evidence is needed as the overall risk of bias was high in a majority of the studies.Peer reviewe

    Maintaining Momentum to 2015? An impact evaluation of interventions to improve maternal and child health and nutrition in Bangladesh

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    Bangladesh has experienced rapid fertility decline and reductions in under-five mortality over the last three decades. This impact study unravels the various factors behind these changes. Economic growth has been important, but so have major public sector interventions, notably reproductive health and immunization, supported by external assistance from the World Bank and other agencies. By contrast, nutrition began to improve only in the 1990s and remains high. The Bangladesh Integrated Nutrition Program (BINP) has played a small role, if any, in this progress, which is mainly attributable to higher agricultural productivity.Bangladesh, mortality, fertility, nutrition, health, population

    Start With a Girl: A New Agenda for Global Health

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    Examines how social factors shape the health issues adolescent girls face in developing countries. Calls for a health agenda for girls, including focused HIV prevention and maternal health advocacy; elimination of child marriage; and secondary education
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