ODI [to 19 March 2016]

ODI [to 19 March 2016]
http://www.odi.org/media
Publications

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Shock responsive social protection systems research report
Bibliography and literature reviews | March 2016 | Francesca Bastagli, Simon Brook, Joanna Buckley, Cécile Cherrier, Jenny Congrave, Andrew Kardan, Simon Levine, Katie McIntosh, Clare O’Brien, Clara Richards, Gabrielle Smith and Zoë Scott.
A review of recent literature on the theory and practice of shock-responsive social protection initiatives and their effectiveness.

A study on organisational development
Research reports and studies | March 2016 | Jessica Mackenzie and Rebecca Gordon
This report explains what ‘organisational development’ is and provides good practice examples, frameworks and recommendations for getting started.

Innovating for pro-poor services: why politics matter
Research reports and studies | March 2016 | Nathaniel Mason; Clare Cummings; Julian Doczi
This report addresses how politics matter for innovations. How politically smart approaches can help deliver access to services.

World Economic Forum [to 19 March 2016]

World Economic Forum [to 19 March 2016]
https://agenda.weforum.org/news/

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News 16 Mar 2016
Meet Africa’s Young Global Leaders Driving The Fourth Industrial Revolution
:: 12 men and women from Africa are among the 121 people, aged under 40, have been invited to join the Young Global Leaders (YGL) community of the World Economic Forum
:: New YGLs are at the forefront of the Fourth Industrial Revolution: one of the most powerful women in financial technology in Africa; an entrepreneur whose non-profit that builds mobile health units; and a woman who is one of the most pioneering tech voices in African.
:: The new class of YGLs show what the future of global leadership could be: more women, more leaders from emerging economies, more innovators from tech and the public sector.

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation [to 19 March 2016]

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation [to 19 March 2016]
http://www.hiltonfoundation.org/news

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Our News
Cognitive Development Interventions Gain Momentum in Health Delivery Settings in East and Southern Africa
By Lisa Bohmer, March 17, 2016
Brain development is at its most rapid during the first 1,000 days of life, when early experiences fundamentally shape brain architecture and future potential. By age three, 85% of the brain architecture has already been built. Despite this, the concept that learning begins at birth has not yet caught on and the majority of early childhood development (ECD) programs focus on pre-school age children from age three and up. Fortunately, health systems provide an opportunity to reach the youngest children and their caregivers—beginning in pregnancy—with services that promote healthy growth and development. UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) have developed a package for health systems that is designed to teach caregivers about responsive care and stimulation practices for their infants and young children, from birth through age two.

The package, called Care for Child Development (CCD), has been successfully implemented in both community and clinical settings. The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation provides support for training using this package given that skills building for parents and caregivers is a focus of our Children Affected by HIV and AIDS Strategic Initiative. We have partnered with organizations working in East and Southern Africa—including PATH, the Aga Khan Development Network and UNICEF—to initially pilot and (more recently) begin to scale-up this package…

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Our News
President and CEO Peter Laugharn Interviewed by Alliance Magazine
March 17, 2016
On March 11, our President and CEO Peter Laugharn was featured as part of an interview with Charles Keidan of Alliance Magazine.

IKEA Foundation [to 19 March 2016]

IKEA Foundation [to 19 March 2016]
https://www.ikeafoundation.org/category/press-releases/

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March 15, 2016
IKEA Foundation gives grants worth €9.4 million to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Save the Children to help children and families caught up in Syria conflict
As the conflict in Syria enters its fifth year, the IKEA Foundation has donated €9.4 million to help children and their families, both within Syria and in neighbouring countries. The money is supporting the lifesaving work of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Save the Children…

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation [to 19 March 2016]

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation [to 19 March 2016]
http://www.rwjf.org/en/about-rwjf/newsroom/news-releases.html

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March 16, 2016
County Health Rankings Show Stark Differences in Premature Death Rates
The 2016 County Health Rankings, an important tool for communities working to improve health, includes several new health-related measures including residential segregation, drug overdose deaths and insufficient sleep.

Study protocol – Clinical evaluation of dengue and identification of risk factors for severe disease: protocol for a multicentre study in 8 countries

BMC Infectious Diseases
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcinfectdis/content
(Accessed 19 March 2016)

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Study protocol
Clinical evaluation of dengue and identification of risk factors for severe disease: protocol for a multicentre study in 8 countries
The burden of dengue continues to increase globally, with an estimated 100 million clinically apparent infections occurring each year.
Thomas Jaenisch, Dong Thi Hoai Tam, Nguyen Tan Thanh Kieu, Tran Van Ngoc, Nguyen Tran Nam, Nguyen Van Kinh, Sophie Yacoub, Ngoun Chanpheaktra, Varun Kumar, Lucy Lum Chai See, Jameela Sathar, Ernesto Pleités Sandoval, Gabriela Maria Marón Alfaro, Ida Safitri Laksono, Yodi Mahendradhata, Malabika Sarker…
BMC Infectious Diseases 2016 16:120
Published on: 11 March 2016

Reporting transparency: making the ethical mandate explicit

BMC Medicine
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcmed/content
(Accessed 19 March 2016)

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Commentary
Open Access
Reporting transparency: making the ethical mandate explicit
Stuart G. Nicholls, Sinéad M. Langan, Eric I. Benchimol and David Moher
BMC Medicine201614:44
DOI: 10.1186/s12916-016-0587-5
Published: 16 March 2016
Abstract
Improving the transparency and quality of reporting in biomedical research is considered ethically important; yet, this is often based on practical reasons such as the facilitation of peer review. Surprisingly, there has been little explicit discussion regarding the ethical obligations that underpin reporting guidelines. In this commentary, we suggest a number of ethical drivers for the improved reporting of research. These ethical drivers relate to researcher integrity as well as to the benefits derived from improved reporting such as the fair use of resources, minimizing risk of harms, and maximizing benefits. Despite their undoubted benefit to reporting completeness, questions remain regarding the extent to which reporting guidelines can influence processes beyond publication, including researcher integrity or the uptake of scientific research findings into policy or practice. Thus, we consider investigation on the effects of reporting guidelines an important step in providing evidence of their benefits.

A systematic review to examine the evidence regarding discussions by midwives, with women, around their options for where to give birth

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcpregnancychildbirth/content
(Accessed 19 March 2016)

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Research article
A systematic review to examine the evidence regarding discussions by midwives, with women, around their options for where to give birth
Discussion of place of birth is important for women and maternity services, yet the detail, content and delivery of these discussions are unclear.
Catherine Henshall, Beck Taylor and Sara Kenyon
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2016 16:53
Published on: 14 March 2016

Refugee migration and risk of schizophrenia and other non-affective psychoses: cohort study of 1.3 million people in Sweden

British Medical Journal
19 March 2016 (vol 352, issue 8049)
http://www.bmj.com/content/352/8049

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Research Update
Refugee migration and risk of schizophrenia and other non-affective psychoses: cohort study of 1.3 million people in Sweden
BMJ 2016; 352 :i1030 (Published 15 March 2016)
Anna-Clara Hollander, postdoctoral researcher1, Henrik Dal, statistician2, Glyn Lewis, professor of psychiatric epidemiology3, Cecilia Magnusson, professor of public health epidemiology1 2, James B Kirkbride, Sir Henry Dale fellow3, Christina Dalman, professor of psychiatric epidemiology1 2
Abstract
Objective To determine whether refugees are at elevated risk of schizophrenia and other non-affective psychotic disorders, relative to non-refugee migrants from similar regions of origin and the Swedish-born population.
Design Cohort study of people living in Sweden, born after 1 January 1984 and followed from their 14th birthday or arrival in Sweden, if later, until diagnosis of a non-affective psychotic disorder, emigration, death, or 31 December 2011.
Setting Linked Swedish national register data.
Participants 1 347 790 people, including people born in Sweden to two Swedish-born parents (1 191 004; 88.4%), refugees (24 123; 1.8%), and non-refugee migrants (132 663; 9.8%) from four major refugee generating regions: the Middle East and north Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe and Russia.
Main outcome measures Cox regression analysis was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios for non-affective psychotic disorders by refugee status and region of origin, controlling for age at risk, sex, disposable income, and population density.
Results 3704 cases of non-affective psychotic disorder were identified during 8.9 million person years of follow-up. The crude incidence rate was 38.5 (95% confidence interval 37.2 to 39.9) per 100 000 person years in the Swedish-born population, 80.4 (72.7 to 88.9) per 100 000 person years in non-refugee migrants, and 126.4 (103.1 to 154.8) per 100 000 person years in refugees. Refugees were at increased risk of psychosis compared with both the Swedish-born population (adjusted hazard ratio 2.9, 95% confidence interval 2.3 to 3.6) and non-refugee migrants (1.7, 1.3 to 2.1) after adjustment for confounders. The increased rate in refugees compared with non-refugee migrants was more pronounced in men (likelihood ratio test for interaction χ2 (df=2) z=13.5; P=0.001) and was present for refugees from all regions except sub-Saharan Africa. Both refugees and non-refugee migrants from sub-Saharan Africa had similarly high rates relative to the Swedish-born population.
Conclusions Refugees face an increased risk of schizophrenia and other non-affective psychotic disorders compared with non-refugee migrants from similar regions of origin and the native-born Swedish population. Clinicians and health service planners in refugee receiving countries should be aware of a raised risk of psychosis in addition to other mental and physical health inequalities experienced by refugees.

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Editorials
Non-affective psychosis in refugees
BMJ 2016; 352 :i1279 (Published 15 March 2016)
Cornelius Katona, medical director
Risk is exacerbated by adverse experiences after arrival, including detention, unemployment, and racism
[Initial text]
In 2015, 244 million people (3.3% of the world’s population) lived outside their country of origin. This represents an increase of 39% since 2000.1 2 The decision to migrate may be made for economic betterment or (in the case of “refugees”) to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster. Such motives are not of course mutually exclusive. Substantial evidence shows that the risk of non-affective psychosis is increased (by a factor of about 2.5) in migrants compared with the indigenous population.3

In a linked paper (doi:10.1136/bmj.i1030), Hollander and colleagues argue that this increase is due predominantly to exposure to psychosocial adversities.4 They used national register data to carry out a cohort study of more than 1.3 million people in Sweden, in which risk of non-affective psychosis was compared not only between people born in Sweden and migrants to Sweden but also between refugees and non-refugees within the migrant group. They hypothesised that, because of their increased vulnerability to psychosocial adversity, incidence of non-affective psychosis would be particularly high in the refugee group. The study was restricted to relatively young people (born in 1984 or later). Follow-up was to the end of 2011 or to emigration, death, or a diagnosis of non-affective psychosis. The authors’ primary hypothesis was confirmed: incidence rates for non-affective psychosis were 385 per million in those born in Sweden, 804 per million in non-refugee migrants, and 1264 per million in refugees…

Eurosurveillance – Volume 21, Issue 11, 17 March 2016

Eurosurveillance
Volume 21, Issue 11, 17 March 2016
http://www.eurosurveillance.org/Public/Articles/Archives.aspx?PublicationId=11678

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Rapid Communications
Measles outbreak in a refugee settlement in Calais, France: January to February 2016
by G Jones, S Haeghebaert, B Merlin, D Antona, N Simon, M Elmouden, F Battist, M Janssens, K Wyndels, P Chaud
Abstract
We report a measles outbreak in a refugee settlement in Calais, France, between 5 January and 11 February 2016. In total, 13 confirmed measles cases were identified among migrants, healthcare workers in hospital and volunteers working on site. A large scale vaccination campaign was carried out in the settlement within two weeks of outbreak notification. In total, 60% of the estimated target population of 3,500 refugees was vaccinated during the week-long campaign.

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Research Articles
Risk assessment, risk management and risk-based monitoring following a reported accidental release of poliovirus in Belgium, September to November 2014
by E Duizer, S Rutjes, A Husman, J Schijven
Abstract
On 6 September 2014, the accidental release of 1013 infectious wild poliovirus type 3 (WPV3) particles by a vaccine production plant in Belgium was reported. WPV3 was released into the sewage system and discharged directly to a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and subsequently into rivers that flowed to the Western Scheldt and the North Sea. No poliovirus was detected in samples from the WWTP, surface waters, mussels or sewage from the Netherlands. Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) showed that the infection risks resulting from swimming in Belgium waters were above 50% for several days and that the infection risk by consuming shellfish harvested in the eastern part of the Western Scheldt warranted a shellfish cooking advice. We conclude that the reported release of WPV3 has neither resulted in detectable levels of poliovirus in any of the samples nor in poliovirus circulation in the Netherlands. This QMRA showed that relevant data on water flows were not readily available and that prior assumptions on dilution factors were overestimated. A QMRA should have been performed by all vaccine production facilities before starting up large-scale culture of WPV to be able to implement effective interventions when an accident happens.

State Strength, Non-State Actors, and the Guatemalan Genocide: Comparative Lessons

Genocide Studies International
Volume 10, Issue 1, Spring 2016
http://www.utpjournals.press/toc/gsi/current

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Articles
State Strength, Non-State Actors, and the Guatemalan Genocide: Comparative Lessons
Frederick M. Shepherd
Frederick M. Shepherd is professor at Samford University, and is the author of Christianity and Human Rights: Christians and the Struggle for Global Justice (Lexington, 2009). He has been affiliated with the Holocaust Education Foundation, the US Holocaust Memorial and Museum, and was part of the Resisting the Path to Genocide Research Cluster at the University of Southern California.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3138/gsi.10.1.06
Abstract
This article focuses on the Guatemalan genocide—which has been labeled “acts of genocide” by the United Nations—in the context of the Guatemalan state’s weakness in mobilizing people and resources for its genocidal project. State planners were able to brutalize the indigenous population, especially during the early 1980s. But at the same time, the state showed extraordinary weakness in basic state functions such as taxing and military mobilization. The article links these failures to a more general state absence of “infrastructural capacity,” and to the strength of powerful non-state forces originating inside and outside of Guatemalan national borders. The article concludes with comparative lessons from other genocides—notably the Holocaust and Rwanda—marked by state strength in the areas of mobilizing people and resources.

Evaluation Of A Maternal Health Program In Uganda And Zambia Finds Mixed Results On Quality Of Care And Satisfaction

Health Affairs
March 2016; Volume 35, Issue 3
http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/current
Issue Focus: Physicians, Prescription Drugs, ACOs & More

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Global Health
Evaluation Of A Maternal Health Program In Uganda And Zambia Finds Mixed Results On Quality Of Care And Satisfaction
Margaret E. Kruk, Daniel Vail, Katherine Austin-Evelyn, Lynn Atuyambe, Dana Greeson, Karen Ann Grépin, Simon P. S. Kibira, Mubiana Macwan’gi, Tsitsi B. Masvawure, Miriam Rabkin, Emma Sacks, Joseph Simbaya, and Sandro Galea
Health Aff March 2016 35:510-519; doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2015.0902
Abstract
Saving Mothers, Giving Life is a multidonor program designed to reduce maternal mortality in Uganda and Zambia. We used a quasi-random research design to evaluate its effects on provider obstetric knowledge, clinical confidence, and job satisfaction, and on patients’ receipt of services, perceived quality, and satisfaction. Study participants were 1,267 health workers and 2,488 female patients. Providers’ knowledge was significantly higher in Ugandan and Zambian intervention districts than in comparison districts, and in Uganda there were similar positive differences for providers’ clinical confidence and job satisfaction. Patients in Ugandan intervention facilities were more likely to give high ratings for equipment availability, providers’ knowledge and communication skills, and care quality, among other factors, than patients in comparison facilities. There were fewer differences between Zambian intervention and comparison facilities. Country differences likely reflect differing intensity of program implementation and the more favorable geography of intervention districts in Uganda than in Zambia. National investments in the health system and provider training and the identification of intervention components most associated with improved performance will be required for scaling up and sustaining the program.

Health Research Policy and Systems [Accessed 19 March 2016] – Evidence for Health

Health Research Policy and Systems
http://www.health-policy-systems.com/content
[Accessed 19 March 2016]

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Review
How to meet the demand for good quality renal dialysis as part of universal health coverage in resource-limited settings?
It is very challenging for resource-limited settings to introduce universal health coverage (UHC), particularly regarding the inclusion of high-cost renal dialysis as part of the UHC benefit package.
Yot Teerawattananon, Alia Luz, Songyot Pilasant, Suteenoot Tangsathitkulchai, Sarocha Chootipongchaivat, Nattha Tritasavit, Inthira Yamabhai and Sripen Tantivess
Health Research Policy and Systems 2016 14:21
Published on: 18 March 2016

Review
Evidence for Health I: Producing evidence for improving health and reducing inequities
In an ideal world, researchers and decision-makers would be involved from the outset in co-producing evidence, with local health needs assessments informing the research agenda and research evidence informing …
Anne Andermann, Tikki Pang, John N Newton, Adrian Davis and Ulysses Panisset
Health Research Policy and Systems 2016 14:18
Published on: 14 March 2016

Review
Evidence for Health II: Overcoming barriers to using evidence in policy and practice
Even the highest quality evidence will have little impact unless it is incorporated into decision-making for health. It is therefore critical to overcome the many barriers to using evidence in decision-making,…
Anne Andermann, Tikki Pang, John N. Newton, Adrian Davis and Ulysses Panisset
Health Research Policy and Systems 2016 14:17
Published on: 14 March 2016

Review
Evidence for Health III: Making evidence-informed decisions that integrate values and context
Making evidence-informed decisions with the aim of improving the health of individuals or populations can be facilitated by using a systematic approach. While a number of algorithms already exist,
Anne Andermann, Tikki Pang, John N Newton, Adrian Davis and Ulysses Panisset
Health Research Policy and Systems 2016 14:16
Published on: 14 March 2016

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics (formerly Human Vaccines) – Volume 12, Issue 2, 2016

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics (formerly Human Vaccines)
Volume 12, Issue 2, 2016
http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/khvi20/current

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Reviews
The potential impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Africa: Considerations and early lessons learned from the South African experience
DOI:10.1080/21645515.2015.1084450
Shabir A Madhi & Marta C Nunes
pages 314-325
Abstract
The introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) into the South African public immunization program since 2009 adopted a novel vaccination schedule of 3 doses at 6, 14 and 40 weeks of age. Over the past 5 y it has been shown that infant PCV immunization in South Africa is effective in reducing the burden of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected children. Furthermore, indirect protection of unvaccinated age-groups (including high risk groups such as HIV-infected adults) against IPD was demonstrated despite the absence of any substantial catch-up campaign of older children. This indirect effect against IPD is corroborated by the temporal reduction in vaccine-serotype colonization among age-groups targeted for PCV immunization as well as unvaccinated HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected adults, which was evident within 2 y of PCV introduction into the immunization program. Vaccine effectiveness has also been demonstrated in children against presumed bacterial pneumonia. The evaluation of the impact of PCV in South Africa, however, remains incomplete. The knowledge gaps remaining include the evaluation of PCV on the incidence of all-cause pneumonia hospitalization among vaccinated and unvaccinated age-groups. Furthermore, ongoing surveillance is required to determine whether there is ongoing replacement disease by non-vaccine serotypes, which could offset the early gains associated with the immunization program in the country.

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Review
Prevention of pneumococcal infections during mass gathering
DOI:10.1080/21645515.2015.1058456
Jaffar A Al-Tawfiq & Ziad A Memish
pages 326-330
Abstract
The interest in mass gathering and its implications has been increasing due to globalization and international travel. The potential occurrence of infectious disease outbreaks during mass gathering is most feared. In this context, respiratory tract infections are of great concern due to crowding in a limited space which facilitates and magnifies the potential of disease spread among attendees. Pneumococcal disease is best described among pilgrims to Makkah and vaccination is one of the methods for the prevention of this disease. Pneumonia was described in a mass gathering with a prevalence of 4.8/100,000 pilgrims and contributes to 15–39% of hospitalizations. Various studies showed that 7–37% of pilgrims are 65 y of age or older. The uptake of pneumococcal vaccine among pilgrims is low at 5%. There is no available data to make strong recommendations for S. pneumoniae vaccination of all pilgrims, it is important that a high risk population receive the indicated vaccination. We reviewed the available literature on the burden of pneumococcal infections during mass gathering and evaluate the available literature on pneumococcal vaccinations for attendees of mass gathering.

Review
Theory and strategy for Pneumococcal vaccines in the elderly
DOI:10.1080/21645515.2015.1075678
Ho Namkoong, Makoto Ishii, Yohei Funatsu, Yoshifumi Kimizuka, Kazuma Yagi, Takahiro Asami, Takanori Asakura, Shoji Suzuki, Testuro Kamo, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Sadatomo Tasaka, Tomoko Betsuyaku & Naoki Hasegawa
pages 336-343
Open access
Abstract
Pneumonia is the fourth-leading cause of death globally, and Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most important causative pathogen. Because the incidence of pneumococcal diseases is likely to increase with the aging society, we should determine an optimal strategy for pneumococcal vaccination. While consensus indicates that 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine prevents invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD), its effects on community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remain controversial. Recently, a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) was released. The latest clinical study (CAPiTA study) showed that PCV13 reduced vaccine-type CAP and IPD. Based on these results, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended initial vaccination with PCV13 for the elderly. Scientific evidence regarding immunosenescence is needed to determine a more ideal vaccination strategy for the elderly with impaired innate and adaptive immunity. Continuing research on the cost effectiveness of new vaccine strategies considering constantly changing epidemiology is also warranted.

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Short Report
Low vaccine coverage among children born to HIV infected women in Niamey, Niger
DOI:10.1080/21645515.2015.1069451
Hyppolite Kuekou Tchidjou, Maria Fenicia Vescio, Martin Sanou Sobze, Animata Souleyman, Paola Stefanelli, Adalbert Mbabia, Ide Moussa, Bruno Gentile, Vittorio Colizzi & Giovanni Rezza
pages 540-544
Abstract
Background: The effect of mother’s HIV-status on child vaccination is an important public health issue in countries with high HIV prevalence. We conducted a study in a primary healthcare center located in Niamey, the capital of Niger, which offers free of charge services to HIV positive and/or underprivileged mothers, with the aim of assessing: 1) vaccination coverage for children 0–36 months old, born to HIV-infected mothers, and 2) the impact of maternal HIV status on child vaccination. Methods: Mothers of children less than 36 months old attending the center were interviewed, to collect information on vaccines administered to their child, and family’s socio-demographic characteristics. Results: Overall, 502 children were investigated. Children of HIV-seropositive mothers were less likely to receive follow up vaccinations for Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTP) than those of HIV-seronegative mothers, with a prevalence ratio (PR) of 2.03 (95%CI: 1.58–2.61). Children born to HIV-seropositive mothers were less likely to miss vaccination for MMR than those born to HIV negative mothers, with a RR of 0.46 (95%CI: 0.30–0.72). Conclusions: Vaccine coverage among children born to HIV infected mothers was rather low. It is important to favor access to vaccination programs in this population.

Editorial Special Issue Journal of Health Care for Poor and Underserved, Indigenous Oral Health

Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved (JHCPU)
Volume 27, Number 1, February 2016 Supplement
https://muse.jhu.edu/journals/journal_of_health_care_for_the_poor_and_underserved/toc/hpu.27.1A.html

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Editorial Special Issue Journal of Health Care for Poor and Underserved, Indigenous Oral Health
Lisa M Jamieson
[Excerpt]
It is a privilege to introduce the Journal of Health Care for Poor and Underserved’s first issue focussing on Indigenous Oral Health. Papers for this special issue were selected from a suite of presentations made at the first International Indigenous Oral Health Conference held in Adelaide, Australia, in August 2014. This conference (and in turn, the papers in this issue) emerged from the many requests over the years for there to be a specific research meeting focussing on the oral health of Indigenous populations at an international level. The conference hosted over 100 representatives from 25 organizations and nine countries worldwide.

The World Health Organisation estimates that 370 million people at an international level identify as being Indigenous, coming from over 70 different countries. Indigenous people have rich cultures and a wide range of religions, languages, traditions, and histories. According to the WHO definition, a group is considered Indigenous if they have a historical continuity pre- and post-colonisation; strong ties to land; separate social, economic, and political systems; their own languages, culture, and spiritual connections; are a minority population in their own country; and if they if they aim to continue the way of their ancestors as a distinctive community. Many Indigenous people have a holistic understanding of health—one where health encompasses individuals, communities, and spirituality. However, across the globe, Indigenous populations are some of the most disadvantaged populations in terms of health.

An overarching theme of both the conference and papers in this special issue is that oral health is a fundamental human right. Regrettably, Indigenous populations throughout the world, almost without exception, experience worse oral health than their non-Indigenous counterparts. Both the inequities and inequalities in oral health between Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups appear to be widening, with the disparities most apparent among children.

The principles of the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (for which the Journal of Health Care for Poor and Underserved is the official journal) are well-aligned with Indigenous Oral Health Conference principles, namely:
:: All members of society, Indigenous and non-Indigenous should have access to affordable quality dental health care.
:: Valuing and supporting trans-disciplinary oral health care. [End Page vi]
:: Dental health care delivered by culturally-competent, community-responsive professionals.
:: Oral health clinicians who care for underserved populations, including Indigenous populations, need to be nurtured and supported in their efforts, because of the unique stresses and personal challenges involved in their work.
:: Competent oral clinical practice requires a specialised body of knowledge and skills when working with underserved groups such as Indigenous populations (skills not traditionally addressed in professional dental school curricula).
:: Population-based research is essential for the improvement of the oral health status of all underserved populations, including Indigenous populations.

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[Special Issue consists of 3 Commentaries; 3 Reports from the Field; 11 Original Papers]

Mental Health of Undocumented Immigrant Adults in the United States: A Systematic Review of Methodology and Findings

Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies
Volume 14, Issue 1, 2016
http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wimm20/current

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Articles
Mental Health of Undocumented Immigrant Adults in the United States: A Systematic Review of Methodology and Findings
DOI:10.1080/15562948.2014.998849
L. M. Garcini, K. E. Murray, A. Zhou, E. A. Klonoff, M. G. Myers & J. P. Elder
pages 1-25
Abstract
This study systematically reviewed the methodology and findings of 24 peer-reviewed studies on psychosocial risk factors associated with the mental health of undocumented immigrants (UIs) in the United States. Of these studies, 14 included quantitative data and 13 were qualitative. The most common recruitment methods were snowball techniques, and most studies used convenience samples of recent UI Latinos. The method of assessing legal status varied, including current versus retrospective undocumented status. Psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and substance use/abuse were identified as prevalent themes. Studies with enhanced methodological rigor are needed.

Does the Country of Origin Matter in Health Care Innovation Diffusion?

JAMA
March 15, 2016, Vol 315, No. 11
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/issue.aspx

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Viewpoint
Innovations in Health Care Delivery
Does the Country of Origin Matter in Health Care Innovation Diffusion?
Matthew Harris, DPhil, MBBS, FFPH; Yasser Bhatti, DPhil, MSc, MoT, MSc, BEng; Ara Darzi, OM, KBE, PC, FRS, FMedSci
This Viewpoint discusses the need to examine how perceptions of the country of origin may of health care innovations proposed for US settings may influence diffusion of these innovations.

There is no shortage of US health care research centers advocating the adoption of innovations from other countries. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (Boston, MA), the Commonwealth Fund (New York, NY), Innovations in Health at Duke University (Durham, NC), and the Network for Excellence in Healthcare Innovation (Cambridge, MA) are all promoting innovations from low-, middle-, and high-income countries for potential adoption into the United States. However, does it matter to patients if a proposed innovation is from India, rather than from, say, Sweden; or from Rwanda, rather than from, say, the United Kingdom? Very little is known about whether and how the country of origin of a proposed innovation matters in its diffusion…

Outlook: Urban health and well-being

Nature
Volume 531 Number 7594 pp275-408 17 March 2016
http://www.nature.com/nature/current_issue.html

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Supplement
Outlook: Urban health and well-being
With more than half of the world’s population already living in cities and further growth expected, the health of urban dwellers is crucial to global well-being. This Nature Outlook explores some of the obstacles to a healthy, happy urban life – and the development of strategies to overcome them.
Free full access [Sponsored]
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Urban health and well-being
Richard Hodson
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The rise of the urbanite
Stephanie Pain
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Mobility: The urban downshift
Sarah DeWeerdt
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Flooding: Water potential
James M. Gaines
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Green space: A natural high
Natasha Gilbert
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Stress: The privilege of health
Amy Maxmen
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Perspective: City farming needs monitoring
Andrew A. Meharg
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Disease: Poverty and pathogens
Michael Eisenstein
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Policy: Urban physics
Kevin Pollock