The burden of road traffic injuries in developing countries: the 1st national injury survey of Pakistan.

Objectives: To assess the burden of road traffic injuries in Pakistan-a developing country in South Asia.

Methods: A nationally representative household interview survey, to measure the burden of all injuries for all ages and in both genders using a three-month recall period.

Results: The overall incidence of injury events was 41 (CI: 39.

Ethical review of health research: a perspective from developing country researchers.

Background: Increasing collaboration between industrialised and developing countries in human research studies has led to concerns regarding the potential exploitation of resource deprived countries. This study, commissioned by the former National Bioethics Advisory Commission of the United States, surveyed developing country researchers about their concerns and opinions regarding ethical review processes and the performance of developing country and US international review boards (IRBs).

Methods: Contact lists from four international organisations were used to identify and survey 670 health researchers in developing countries.

Knowledge for better health: a conceptual framework and foundation for health research systems.

Health research generates knowledge that can be utilized to improve health system performance and, ultimately, health and health equity. We propose a conceptual framework for health research systems (HRSs) that defines their boundaries, components, goals, and functions. The framework adopts a systems perspective towards HRSs and serves as a foundation for constructing a practical approach to describe and analyse HRSs.

Death from drowning: defining a new challenge for child survival in Bangladesh.

The study focuses on children less than 5 years old and explores the epidemiological profile and correlates of drowning as a challenge to child survival in Bangladesh. Two data sources from Bangladesh, a cohort of 8,070 children followed for 2 years in a rural area and a nation-wide survey conducted in 1996-97 have been used. In addition, a systematic review of the literature has been conducted spanning the past two decades for analysis of drowning in children.

The burden of disease from neonatal mortality: a review of South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Objective: To assess the burden of neonatal mortality in two developing regions.

Design: Review of secondary data collated through literature review.

Setting: Community and facility based studies and national health surveys.

Capacity development for health research in Pakistan: the effects of doctoral training.

Capacity development for health research has been promoted in developing countries for many years, especially by international aid agencies. In Pakistan the government has been investing substantial funds in the development of a critical mass of scientists in the country. This paper represents the first attempt in Pakistan to assess the impact of capacity development efforts in health research.

Violence against pregnant women in developing countries: review of evidence.

Domestic violence among pregnant women is a global health issue. This study systemically reviews the literature to estimate the prevalence of violence against pregnant women in developing countries. Prevalence of violence among pregnant women in developing countries ranges from 4% to 29%.

Rates of public investment for road safety in developing countries: case studies of Uganda and Pakistan.

Objective: This paper assesses the magnitude of public investment in road safety in Uganda and Pakistan.

Methods: The study reviewed government budgetary records on expenditure for road safety for each country, as well as World Bank estimates of bilateral and NGO assistance directed to road safety. The authors interviewed key informants in each government who would know about public or NGO activity on road safety.

Applying WHO's health systems performance assessment in Pakistan: critical reflections.

The World Health Organization (WHO) proposed a health systems performance assessment framework in 2000, which met with quick and often severe criticisms in terms of process, methods and utility. However, a country specific reflection for the potential application of this framework has not been published to-date from South Asia. This paper reviews the recent literature and critiques and analyzes the potential for applying the framework in Pakistan.

Equity and resource allocation in health care: dialogue between Islam and Christianity.

Inequities in health and health care are one of the greatest challenges facing the international community today. This problem raises serious questions for health care planners, politicians and ethicists alike. The major world religions can play an important role in this discussion.

Interventions for control of road traffic injuries: review of effectiveness literature.

Objective: In 1998, road traffic injuries were estimated to be the 9th leading cause of loss of healthy life globally and are projected to become the 3rd leading cause by 2020. The majority of this burden can be located in the developing world where most of the projected increase will occur. Yet health systems are least prepared to meet this challenge in these countries.

Effect of extracellular pH on insulin secretion and glucose metabolism in neonatal and adult rat pancreatic islets.

Changes in extracellular pH are known to affect glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. In the present study, glucose metabolism in pancreatic islets cultured at different pHs was investigated. Also, for islet transplantation purposes, insulin secretion and glucose metabolism were compared in neonatal and adult islets at different pHs to determine which islet preparation is more tolerant to acidity and alkalinity.