In quest of health: responding with basic modern medicine facilities to heterogeneous needs. A quantitative survey based on anthropological perspectives

This essay discusses the way in which a quest for health was expressed by resorting to primary health care services set up in the Middle Juba region of Somalia before the civil war started in 1990. The hypothesis concerning this study are grounded in direct and participant observation of the operations of the health service facilities as well as the social dynamics surrounding such operations carried out during one year of project and on interviews with traditional healers as well as observation of traditional healing treatments. The call for care and attention expressed in the services represented a wide concept of well-being but the expectations conveyed by resorting to the health facilities sometimes did not coincide with the services offered. Those specific needs and expectations which were not met by the existing health services have been the main inspiration and focus of this entire survey

Absolute poverty and the cost of living: an experimental analysis for italian households

Our paper contains an investigation on poverty based on the absolute approach. Actually, absolute poverty has not been totally eliminated, also in developed countries and particularly in Italy. Moreover, this method has poverty levels not depending on income distribution: on the contrary, specific situations of real need are identified. In doing so, different price levels are taken into account, emphasising the possible effects of different costs of living in various geographical areas; for Italy, this issue seems crucial, owing to dramatic economic gaps between Northern and Southern areas. Yet, there are few data available on this, so that only a pioneering study may be carried out. Therefore, we estimate absolute poverty thresholds both for regions and macro areas. General results show a partial narrowing in the geographical gap in favour of the South, with respect to traditional approaches. The analysis is performed using several indicators (i.e. head-count, poverty gap and Sen index). Moreover, income inequalities between regions could turn out to be less obvious by considering different cost of living indices than it is the case if the same level of prices is used. The analysis is based on static micro simulation models that make use of both consumption and income data from ISTAT and Bank of Italy surveys. Thus, several data sources are used: in fact, it is known that income, even though it seems more appropriate in evaluating resources to purchase goods and services, can be sensitive to unexpected and temporary shocks, whereas consumption represents a proxy of the so-called “permanent income”. Finally, some light is also shed on the measurement of the efforts of public policies aimed at poverty alleviation. To this end, it is possible to examine the impact of public taxes and transfers on wellbeing, with particular attention to the effects of a “minimum income” scheme allowing for the different price levels.Absolute poverty; Cost of living; Minimum income

Sufi experience in rural Somali: a focus on women

Literature on the Sufi in Somalia approaches the issue from different points of view, but mainly from a literary study of religious poetry.1 A major discussion has evolved around the issue of the role played by some sufi brotherhood movements and whether they supported or opposed colonialism, that is, political and historical interpretations of literature on the Sufi and their poetry.2 Most of the studies point out the fact that Islamic practices in Somalia have co-opted traditional customs in the same ways as in other African countries. Yet, recently hagiographies of religious Somali Sufi male saints have been used to depict the shaping of a political and cultural identity of the Benaadiri. Among scholars, only a few have included Arabic sources in their analysis

Fostering ethnic re-invention: Gender Impact of Forced Migration on Bantu Somali Refugees in Kenya

none1openDECLICH F.Declich, Francesc

Screening for Infectious diseases among newly arrived migrants. experiences and practices in non-EU countries of the Mediterranean basin and Black Sea

Changing migration dynamics in the Mediterranean Sea and differences in infectious diseases (ID) burden between the countries of origin have raised questions whether public health actions are needed to avoid the transmission of ID. Screening newly arrived migrants for ID is one health monitoring option, offering opportunities for prevention, early detection and treatment. The authors conducted a survey among country experts in non-European Union countries of the Mediterranean and Black Sea, in order to explore current ID screening practices and policies for newly arrived migrants. The association between the existence of guidelines and the proportion of refugees in the population was also estimated. Eighteen country experts responded (90%) out of the 20 invited. Eleven countries (61%) implemented screening programmes and six (38%) had national guidelines. Screening was performed most often for tuberculosis at the holding level. A higher proportion of refugees in the population was associated with the existence of guidelines for screening (p = 0.05). Fourteen experts (88%) considered screening among migrants useful. The results show that screening for ID in newly arrived migrants is relevant for non-EU countries of the Mediterranean and Black Sea. Common guidelines could be promoted focusing on both individual and public health benefits of screening programmesChanging migration dynamics in the Mediterranean Sea and differences in infectious diseases (ID) burden between the countries of origin have raised questions whether public health actions are needed to avoid the transmission of ID. Screening newly arrived migrants for ID is one health monitoring option, offering opportunities for prevention, early detection and treatment. The authors conducted a survey among country experts in non-European Union countries of the Mediterranean and Black Sea, in order to explore current ID screening practices and policies for newly arrived migrants. The association between the existence of guidelines and the proportion of refugees in the population was also estimated. Eighteen country experts responded (90%) out of the 20 invited. Eleven countries (61%) implemented screening programmes and six (38%) had national guidelines. Screening was performed most often for tuberculosis at the holding level. A higher proportion of refugees in the population was associated with the existence of guidelines for screening (p = 0.05). Fourteen experts (88%) considered screening among migrants useful. The results show that screening for ID in newly arrived migrants is relevant for non-EU countries of the Mediterranean and Black Sea. Common guidelines could be promoted focusing on both individual and public health benefits of screening programmes

Francesca Gargallo Celentani, Feminismos desde Abya Yala: Ideas y proposiciones de las mujeres de 607 pueblos en nuestra América, Ciudad de México, Edición digital, 2014, pp. 271

Book review of Francesca Gargallo Celentani, Feminismos desde Abya Yala: Ideas y proposiciones de las mujeres de 607 pueblos en nuestra América, Ciudad de México, Edición digital, 2014, pp. 271.Recensione di Francesca Gargallo Celentani, Feminismos desde Abya Yala: Ideas y proposiciones de las mujeres de 607 pueblos en nuestra América, Ciudad de México, Edición digital, 2014, pp. 271

A serpiginous lesion of scrotum

Background Median raphe cyst is usually benign and asymptomatic male genitalia lesions. Although uncommon, infection may be a complication. Case presentation We report the case of a 4-year-old child presented to the emergency department for a serpiginous and redness lesion extended from the basis of the penis until the perineum. An infected median raphe cyst was suspected, and the patient underwent surgical treatment and antibiotic therapy with complete resolution of symptoms. Liquid culture resulted positive for Serratia Marcescens. Conclusion Infection is a rare complication, especially in childhood. To prevent relapses and clinical symptoms, the majority of authors recommend surgical excision followed by primary closure. In case of infections caused by Serratia Marcescens, chronic granulomatous disease should always be rule out

Fostering Ethnic Reinvention

The provision of international humanitarian aid, far from being a neutral intervention in the forced migrants communal identity, is an especially directive intervention characterised by a set of standard procedures. Some micromechanisms within such procedures act as to foster ethnic reinvention together with empowerment of certain groups and individuals among the refugees. In the following article the case of the Somali Bantu refugees is analysed and ways inter-gender relations are strongly affected by the process of receiving aid during forced migrations are described. The very organisational procedure through which humanitarian aid is provided act as empowering and disempowering groups and individuals among the migrants; such procedure often pushes inter-gender power imbalances.La fourniture d’une aide humanitaire internationale, loin de représenter une intervention neutre sur l’identité des migrants déplacés de force, constitue en fait une série de procédures standardisées et appliqués de façon extrêmement directive. Certains mécanismes internes à ces procédures contribuent ainsi à favoriser la réinvention des identités ethniques de même qu’elles renforcent le pouvoir de certains groupes et individus parmi les réfugiés. Dans cet article on analyse le cas des réfugiés bantu somali et on décrit la façon dont les relations de genre sont affectées par le processus de distribution de l’aide. Les procédures par lesquelles transite l’aide humanitaire se traduisent par l’affermissement du pouvoir de certains groupes de migrants au détriment d’autres groupes et favorise les ruptures d’équilibre entre les genres

Immunization strategies targeting newly arrived migrants in Non-EU countries of the mediterranean basin and black sea

Background: The World Health Organization recommends that host countries ensure appropriate vaccinations to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. However, information on vaccination strategies targeting migrants in host countries is limited. Methods: In 2015-2016 we carried out a survey among national experts from governmental bodies of 15 non-EU countries of the Mediterranean and Black Sea in order to document and share national vaccination strategies targeting newly arrived migrants. Results: Four countries reported having regulations/procedures supporting the immunization of migrants at national level, one at sub-national level and three only targeting specific population groups. Eight countries offer migrant children all the vaccinations included in their national immunization schedule; three provide only selected vaccinations, mainly measles and polio vaccines. Ten and eight countries also offer selected vaccinations to adolescents and adults respectively. Eight countries provide vaccinations at the community level; seven give priority vaccines in holding centres or at entry sites. Data on administered vaccines are recorded in immunization registries in nine countries. Conclusions: Although differing among countries, indications for immunizing migrants are in place in most of them. However, we cannot infer from our findings whether those strategies are currently functioning and whether barriers to their implementation are being faced. Further studies focusing on these aspects are needed to develop concrete and targeted recommendations for action. Since migrants are moving across countries, development of on-line registries and cooperation between countries could allow keeping track of administered vaccines in order to appropriately plan immunization series and avoid unnecessary vaccinations