Latest Articles
- Regulatory Monitoring of Fortified Foods: Identifying Barriers and Good Practices
Food fortification with micronutrients often is not compliant with relevant standards, in large part because poor regulatory monitoring does not sufficiently identify and hold producers accountable for underfortified products. We propose these reinforcing approaches: clear legislation, government leadership, strong enforcement of regulations, improved financial and human capacity at the regulatory agency and industry levels, civil society engagement, simplified monitoring processes, and relationship building between industry and government.
- Prevalence and Incidence of Traumatic Experiences Among Orphans in Institutional and Family-Based Settings in 5 Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Longitudinal Study
Contrary to some conventional wisdom, in this large study that randomly sampled orphans and separated children from 5 countries, prevalence of reported traumatic events was no worse among those institutionalized than among those in family-based care. Reported incidence of physical or sexual abuse was actually higher for those in family-based care. Understanding the specific context, and elements contributing to potential harm and benefits in both family-based and institutional care, are essential to promoting the best interest of the child.
- Estimating Contraceptive Prevalence Using Logistics Data for Short-Acting Methods: Analysis Across 30 Countries
Three models showed strong correlation between public-sector logistics data for injectables, oral contraceptives, and condoms and their prevalence rates, demonstrating that current logistics data can provide useful prevalence estimates when timely survey data are unavailable.
- The Astronomy of Africa’s Health Systems Literature During the MDG Era: Where Are the Systems Clusters?
The volume of literature on health systems in sub-Saharan Africa has been expanding since the 2000 MDG era. Focus has remained generally on categorical health themes rather than systems concepts. Topics such as scaling-up, organizational development, data use for decision making, logistics, and financial planning remain underrepresented. And quite surprisingly, implementation science remains something of a “black hole.” But bibliometric evidence suggests there is a shift in focus that may soon address these gaps.
- PEPFAR Transitions to Country Ownership: Review of Past Donor Transitions and Application of Lessons Learned to the Eastern Caribbean
Six key steps for effective transition: (1) develop a roadmap; (2) involve stakeholders; (3) communicate the plan; (4) support midterm evaluations; (5) strengthen financial, technical, and management capacity; and (6) support ongoing M&E. The Eastern Caribbean will need to identify HIV champions; strengthen leadership and management; improve policies to protect key populations; engage the private sector and civil society more; integrate HIV programs into primary care; improve supply chain capacity; and address health worker shortages.
- Appropriate Management of Acute Diarrhea in Children Among Public and Private Providers in Gujarat, India: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Training public-sector providers to treat diarrhea in children with low-osmolarity oral rehydration salts and zinc appeared to be effective. Among private providers, drug-detailing visits by pharmaceutical representatives seemed less effective, particularly in improving knowledge of the correct dosage and duration of zinc treatment. Consistent supplies and sufficient attention to training all health care cadres, especially community health workers who may be new to diarrhea treatment and informal-sector providers who are typically excluded from formal training, are critical to improving knowledge and prescribing behaviors.
- Motivations and Constraints to Family Planning: A Qualitative Study in Rwanda’s Southern Kayonza District
Community members and health workers recognized the value of spacing and limiting births but a variety of traditional and gender norms constrain their use of contraception. Limited method choice, persistent side effects, transportation fees, stock-outs, long wait times, and hidden service costs also inhibit contraceptive use.
- Leveraging the Power of Knowledge Management to Transform Global Health and Development
Good knowledge is essential to prevent disease and improve health. Knowledge management (KM) provides a systematic process and tools to promote access to and use of knowledge among health and development practitioners to improve health and development outcomes. KM tools range from publications and resources (briefs, articles, job aids) and products and services (websites, eLearning courses, mobile applications), to training and events (workshops, webinars, meetings) and approaches and techniques (peer assists, coaching, after-action reviews, knowledge cafés).
- Benefits of Advance Oxytocin Preparation Could Extend to the Newborn
Advance preparation of oxytocin not only facilitates rapid administration after delivery to prevent postpartum hemorrhage but also could free health workers to provide immediate neonatal resuscitation to non-breathing newborns within the critical 1-minute time window.