Primary Health Care Model for Non-Communicable Diseases Management during COVID-19 Pandemic in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Background: Given the importance of appropriate response to prevent and manage Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), this study aimed to analyze the state of NCDs services at the level of the PHC system during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine the main strategies.

Methods: In this qualitative study, first, the circulars and guides in Iran's PHC system from the beginning of the pandemic to the end of September 2020 were retrieved manually and by searching the internal websites of the Ministry of Health. All documents about decision-making or governance and coordination mechanisms for the provision of NCDs services were enrolled and analyzed.

The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Management Services in the Primary Health Care System of Iran.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions in the provision of non-communicable disease (NCDs) prevention and control services in many countries, and there is a concern that it would lead to long-term complications of the diseases. The aim of this study is to assess the changes in the provisions of selected NCD services before and after the COVID-19 epidemic in Iran's primary healthcare system. In this descriptive-analytical retrospective study, the number of eight NCD services provided during the first 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic from Feb 2020 to Dec 2020 were compared with the same period in the previous year using the data from the Iranian integrated electronic health record system (SIB) and also the association between the number of deaths due to COVID-19 and a sample of NCD services were assessed using cross-correlation analysis.

The impact of economic sanctions on health and health systems in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Introduction: Economic sanctions restrict customary commercial and financial ties between states to induce change in political constitution or conduct of the targeted country. Although the stated goals of sanctions often include humanitarian objectives, prospective procedures for health risk assessment are not regularly incorporated in their implementation. Moreover, past experience suggests that the burden of economic isolation may fall on the civilian population.

Insights for speed management among Iranian drivers: a social marketing formative research study.

Background: Road traffic crashes are among the leading causes of death and disability in the world, particularly in low and middle-income countries. This study aimed at to conduct a social marketing formative research to inform the development of a campaign to manage driving speed on the intercity roads of Iran.

Methods: To carry out the social marketing formative research, a qualitative and quantitative study were conducted.

Prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in iran: the case for Investment.

Background: Non-communicable diseases are imposing a considerable burden on Iran. This study aims to assess the Return on Investment (ROI) for implementation of Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) prevention program in Iran.

Methods: Four disease groups including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and respiratory diseases were included in our ROI analysis.

Addressing the health-related SDGs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Regional Health Alliance strengthens collaboration towards better health.

The United Nations launched the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, as a more detailed and ambitious follow-up to the Millennium Developments Goals (MDGs). Health and wellbeing of all, at all ages, is addressed by the third SDG (SDG3) and health-related targets of other SDGs. However, progress to date on the health-related SDGs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) is not on track.

Routine COVID-19 testing may not be necessary for most cancer patients.

Cancer patients are at risk for severe complications or death from COVID-19 infection. Therefore, the need for routine COVID-19 testing in this population was evaluated. Between 1st August and 30th October 2020, 150 cancer patients were included.

Kazakhstan can achieve ambitious HIV targets despite expected donor withdrawal by combining improved ART procurement mechanisms with allocative and implementation efficiencies.

Background: Despite a non-decreasing HIV epidemic, international donors are soon expected to withdraw funding from Kazakhstan. Here we analyze how allocative, implementation, and technical efficiencies could strengthen the national HIV response under assumptions of future budget levels.

Methodology: We used the Optima model to project future scenarios of the HIV epidemic in Kazakhstan that varied in future antiretroviral treatment unit costs and management expenditure-two areas identified for potential cost-reductions.

The effectiveness of community based distribution of injectable contraceptives using community health extension workers in Gombe State, Northern Nigeria.

This study reports on findings of a pilot of community-based distribution (CBD) of injectable contraceptives in two local government areas (LGAs) of Gombe State, Nigeria. From August 2009 to January 2010, the project enrolled, trained and equipped community health extension workers (CHEWs) to distribute condoms, oral and injectable contraceptives in communities. The project mobilized communities and stakeholders to promote Family Planning (FP) services in the selected communities.

Adverse drug reactions to antiretroviral therapy (ARVs): incidence, type and risk factors in Nigeria.

Background: Data on adverse drug reactions (ADRs) related to antiretroviral (ARV) use in public health practice are few indicating the need for ART safety surveillance in clinical care.

Objectives: To evaluate the incidence, type and risk factors associated with adverse drug reactions (ADRs) among patients on antiretroviral drugs (ARV).

Methods: Patients initiated on ARVs between May 2006 and May 2009 were evaluated in a retrospective cohort analysis in three health facilities in Nigeria.

HIV prevalence and risk behaviours among men having sex with men in Nigeria.

Objective: To evaluate HIV and syphilis prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Nigeria, and assess their HIV-related risk behaviours and exposure to HIV prevention interventions.

Methods: Cross-sectional study using respondent-driven sampling conducted in Lagos, Kano and Cross River states, Nigeria, between July and September 2007.

Results: A total of 879 MSM participated, 293 from each state.

Integrating reproductive health and HIV indicators into the Nigerian health system--building an evidence base for action.

The lack of integrated M&E system makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of HIV and family planning (FP) service integration. Since 2007, Nigeria integrated FP and HIV M&E systems. A pre-post survey compared the availability and use of FP-HIV integration M&E tools six months pre- and 12-months post-integration in 71 health facilities supported by the Global HIV/AIDS Initiative Nigeria (GHAIN).

The use of routine monitoring and evaluation systems to assess a referral model of family planning and HIV service integration in Nigeria.

Objective: To measure changes in service utilization of a model integrating family planning with HIV counselling and testing (HCT), antiretroviral therapy (ART) and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) in the Nigerian public health facilities.

Design: It is a retrospective survey of attendance and family planning commodity uptake in 71 health facilities in Nigeria that analyzes the preintegration and postintegration periods between March 2007 and January 2009.

Methods: A prepost retrospective comparison of mean attendance at family planning clinics and couple-years of protection (CYP) compared 6 months preintegration with 9 months postintegration period.

Human genetic resistance to Onchocerca volvulus: evidence for linkage to chromosome 2p from an autosome-wide scan.

Background: Human infections with the tissue nematode Onchocerca volvulus show strong interindividual variation in intensity, which cannot be explained by differences in exposure alone. Several lines of evidence suggest a relevant influence of human genetics.

Methods: In a genome-wide search for genetic determinants of resistance, we studied 196 siblings from 51 families exposed to endemic O.

Cutaneous pathology in onchocerciasis associated with pronounced systemic T-helper 2-type responses to Onchocerca volvulus.

Background: Of 18 million people world-wide who are infested with the tissue nematode Onchocerca volvulus, more than 30% are considered to have skin lesions, the pathomechanisms of which are poorly understood.

Objectives: To relate skin changes associated with onchocerciasis to parasitological findings and systemic cellular immune responses.

Methods: In the course of a genetic study, 691 members of 241 families exposed to hyperendemic O.

Onchocerca volvulus-exposed persons fail to produce interferon-gamma in response to O. volvulus antigen but mount proliferative responses with interleukin-5 and IL-13 production that decrease with increasing microfilarial density.

The cellular immune response to Onchocerca volvulus antigen (OvAg) was studied in 551 persons exposed to O. volvulus transmission in a hyperendemic area of Ghana, West Africa. A whole-blood assay showed that, in response to a soluble O.

Pattern of connexin 26 (GJB2) mutations causing sensorineural hearing impairment in Ghana.

Mutations of the connexin 26 gene (GJB2) were studied in 365 apparently unrelated individuals with profound nonsyndromic, sensorineural hearing impairment from Ghana, West Africa. Among 121 mutated chromosomes found, 110 carried the previously described R143W mutation. A total of 6 novel mutations: L79P, V178A, R184Q, A197S, I203K, and L214P, were identified, whereby I203K was based on a dinucleotide exchange and R184Q appeared to be dominant.

Endosymbiotic bacteria in worms as targets for a novel chemotherapy in filariasis.

Endosymbiotic bacteria living in plasmodia or worm parasites are required for the homoeostasis of their host and should be excellent targets for chemotherapy of certain parasitic diseases. We show that targeting of Wolbachia spp bacteria in Onchocerca volvulus filariae by doxycycline leads to sterility of adult worms to an extent not seen with drugs used against onchocerciasis, a leading cause of blindness in African countries.

Malariometric update for the rainforest and savanna of Ashanti region, Ghana.

The epidemiological features of human infection with Plasmodium were studied in a community-based survey of 35 villages in the Ashanti region of Ghana. The overall prevalences of malarial parasitaemia in subjects aged > or = 2 years were 50.72% in forest areas and 49.

STD services for women at truck stop in Tanzania: evaluation of acceptable approaches.

AIDS continues to be the commonest cause of death in Tanzania among those aged between 15 and 45 years. Both ulcerative and non-ulcerative sexually transmitted diseases have been identified as major co-factors in HIV transmission. Certain groups including long distance truck drivers and their sexual partners have been reported as having a disporportionate effect on the transmission dynamics of STD including HIV, in a population.

Putative serine/threonine protein kinase expressed in complement-resistant forms of Entamoeba histolytica.

Entamoeba histolytica is susceptible to complement attack in its lumen-dwelling state and develops complement resistance during pathogenic tissue invasion. As experimental evidence suggests that this change in phenotype is accompanied by a change in gene expression, we constructed a subtractive cDNA library to identify genes involved. Poly(A) + RNA from complement-sensitive trophozoites was subtracted from single stranded cDNA derived from complement-resistant ones.

Improved method for the concentration and purification of faecal cysts of Entamoeba histolytica for use as antigen.

Human stool samples are the most widely used source of E. histolytica cysts for diagnosis and research. Cysts concentrated from faecal samples are contaminated with faecal debris and bacteria and are unsuitable for use as antigens.