Socioeconomic Status and Health Outcomes in a Developing Country

While the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and health is well documented for developed countries, less evidence has been presented for developing countries. The aim of this paper is to analyse this relationship at the household level for Fiji, a developing country in the South Pacific, using original household survey data. To allow for the endogeneity of SES status in the household health production function we utilize a simultaneous equation approach where estimates are achieved by full information maximum likelihood. By restricting our sample to one, relatively small island, and including area and district hospital effects, physical geography effects are unpacked from income effects. We measure SES, as permanent income which is constructed using principal components analysis. An alternative specification considers transitory household income. We find that a 1% increase in wealth (our measure of permanent income) would lead to a 15% decrease in the probability of an incapacitating illness occurring intra-household. While presence of a strong causal relationship indicates that relatively small improvements in SES status can significantly improve health at the household level, it is argued that the design of appropriate policy would also require an understanding of the various mechanisms through which the relationship operates.

The CagA toxin of Helicobacter pylori: abundant production but relatively low amount translocated

CagA is one of the most studied pathogenicity factors of the bacterial pathogen Helicobacter pylori. It is injected into host cells via the H. pylori cag-Type IV secretion system. Due to its association with gastric cancer, CagA is classified as oncogenic protein. At the same time CagA represents the 4th most abundant protein produced by H. pylori, suggesting that high amounts of toxin are required to cause the physiological changes or damage observed in cells. We were able to quantify the injection of CagA into gastric AGS epithelial cells in vitro by the adaptation of a novel protease-based approach to remove the tightly adherent extracellular bacteria. After one hour of infection only 1.5% of the total CagA available was injected by the adherent bacteria, whereas after 3 hours 7.5% was found within the host cell. Thus, our data show that only a surprisingly small amount of the CagA available in the infection is finally injected under in vitro infection conditions

Accelerating Maternal and Child Health Gains in Papua New Guinea

Many priority countries in the countdown to the millennium development goals deadline are lagging in progress towards maternal and child health (MCH) targets. Papua New Guinea (PNG) is one such country beset by challenges of geographical inaccessibility, inequity and health system weakness. Several countries, however, have made progress through focused initiatives which align with the burden of disease and overcome specific inequities. This study identifies the potential impact on maternal and child mortality through increased coverage of prioritised interventions within the PNG health system.The burden of disease and health system environment of PNG was documented to inform prioritised MCH interventions at community, outreach, and clinical levels. Potential reductions in maternal and child mortality through increased intervention coverage to close the geographical equity gap were estimated with the lives saved tool.A set community-level interventions, with highest feasibility, would yield significant reductions in newborn and child mortality. Adding the outreach group delivers gains for maternal mortality, particularly through family planning. The clinical services group of interventions demands greater investment but are essential to reach MCH targets. Cumulatively, the increased coverage is estimated to reduce the rates of under-five mortality by 19 %, neonatal mortality by 26 %, maternal mortality ratio by 10 % and maternal mortality by 33 %.Modest investments in health systems focused on disadvantaged populations can accelerate progress in maternal and child survival even in fragile health systems like PNG. The critical approach may be to target interventions and implementation appropriately to the sensitive context of lagging countries

Modelo para la adopción del comercio electrónico en el sector agroindustrial mexicano

En este trabajo se propone un modelo para la adopción del comercio electrónico en las pequeñas y medianas empresas (pyme´s) del sector agroindustrial mexicano. El modelo final consta de dieciocho variables, distribuidas en siete submodelos, que son: Factores organizacionales, características técnicas, comunicación, factores ambientales, factores psicológicos y culturales, apoyo gubernamental y adopción del comercio electrónico. Para la medición de las variables se aplicó un cuestionario a las empresas de una muestra representativa. En la validación del modelo, se usó la técnica de mínimos cuadrados parciales (PLS). Se validó la consistencia interna del modelo mediante las pruebas de unidimensionalidad, fiabilidad, validez convergente y validez discriminante; así como la validación del modelo estructural

Aportaciones en Ciencias Sociales: Economía y Humanidades

Lo que se presenta es resultado del apoyo y la colaboración de varias instituciones, grupos de investigadores e investigadores independientes. En ese sentido, queremos otorgar un reconocimiento a quienes tuvieron la voluntad y el tino de apoyar esta iniciativa. Agradecemos a las autoridades de la Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, particularmente a la Rectoría y a sus Direcciones Generales, en especial a la Dirección General de Investigación y Posgrado. Reconocemos también la contribución de la División de Ciencias Económico-Administrativas y de la Preparatoria Agrícola, ambas de esta universidad, pues su ayuda hizo posible este trabajo. Asimismo, expresamos una particular gratitud a las autoridades de la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, quiénes a través de directivos, docentes y trabajadores del Centro Universitario UAEM Texcoco, colaboraron de manera generosa. No menos importante fue el apoyo de autoridades y personal especializado del Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI). En ello incluimos también a la Facultad de Economía de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, particularmente a la Facultad de Ciencias, así como al Colegio de Postgraduados

Cost analysis of the development and implementation of a spatial decision support system for malaria elimination in Solomon Islands

BACKGROUND The goal of malaria elimination faces numerous challenges. New tools are required to support the scale up of interventions and improve national malaria programme capacity to conduct detailed surveillance. This study investigates the cost factors influencing the development and implementation of a spatial decision support system (SDSS) for malaria elimination in the two elimination provinces of Isabel and Temotu, Solomon Islands. METHOD Financial and economic costs to develop and implement a SDSS were estimated using the Solomon Islands programme's financial records. Using an ingredients approach, verified by stakeholders and operational reports, total costs for each province were quantified. A budget impact sensitivity analysis was conducted to investigate the influence of variations in standard budgetary components on the costs and to identify potential cost savings. RESULTS A total investment of US$96,046 (2012 constant dollars) was required to develop and implement the SDSS in two provinces (Temotu Province US$ 49,806 and Isabel Province US$46,240). The single largest expense category was for computerized equipment totalling approximately US$ 30,085. Geographical reconnaissance was the most expensive phase of development and implementation, accounting for approximately 62% of total costs. Sensitivity analysis identified different cost factors between the provinces. Reduced equipment costs would deliver a budget saving of approximately 10% in Isabel Province. Combined travel costs represented the greatest influence on the total budget in the more remote Temotu Province. CONCLUSION This study provides the first cost analysis of an operational surveillance tool used specifically for malaria elimination in the South-West Pacific. It is demonstrated that the costs of such a decision support system are driven by specialized equipment and travel expenses. Such factors should be closely scrutinized in future programme budgets to ensure maximum efficiencies are gained and available resources are allocated effectively