Multi-country case studies on planning RMNCH services using WISN methodology: Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Sultanate of Oman and Papua New Guinea.

Background: Globally, many countries are adopting evidence-based workforce planning that facilitates progress towards achieving sustainable development goals for reproductive, maternal newborn and child health. We reviewed case studies on workforce planning for reproductive maternal newborn child health services at primary care level facilities using workload indicators of staffing need in five countries.

Method: Using available workload indicators for staffing need reports from Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Sultanate of Oman and Papua New Guinea, we generated descriptive statistics to explore comparable workload components and activity standards, health service delivery models with an emphasis on the primary care levels and the specific health occupations offering interventions associated with reproductive maternal, newborn and child health services.

Determining staffing standards for primary care services using workload indicators of staffing needs in the Philippines.

Background: Health services cannot be delivered without an adequate, competent health workforce. Evidence suggests a direct relationship between density of health workforce and health outcomes. The Philippines is faced with health workforce challenges including shortages, inequitable distribution and inadequate skill mix which hinder health service delivery.

Causes of attrition among frontline health workers in rural areas of Bauchi and Cross River States of Nigeria.

Background: The situation of frontline health workers in the rural areas of Bauchi and Cross River States has been classified as critical regarding the shortages due to attrition. This affects health service delivery and outcomes.

Methods: We targeted 402 participants, and 389 frontline health workers (nurses, midwives, nurse/midwives, community health officers and community health extension workers) responded.

Human resources for health coordination mechanisms: lessons from Bauchi and Cross River states of Nigeria.

Background: Addressing the challenges of the health crisis requires collaboration by multiple sectors and stakeholders with a complementary role in a single platform that coordinates policy and programs relating to the health workforce for sustainability.

Methods: Information from purposefully selected stakeholders involved in human resources for health programs in two selected states of Nigeria was collected during a workshop attended by 60 participants drawn from government, multilateral agencies, the private sector, bilateral agencies, academia, professional associations, and regulatory bodies.

Results: Lessons learnt from Bauchi and Cross River states HRH platforms included successful joint planning and implementation human resources for health strategies that significantly mobilized resources and improved performance.

Antibacterial Activity of Essential Oils against Uropathogens Isolated from Patients in Selected Hospitals in Bushenyi District, Uganda.

Aims: To determine antibacterial activity of essential oils against bacterial uropathogens.

Study Design: A cross sectional and experimental study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Six selected hospitals in Bushenyi District, Uganda between June 2012 and July 2013.

Transfer of inoculum of between adult and effects of fungal infection on blood feeding and mating behaviors.

The transfer of conidia of between tsetse flies and the effects of fungal inoculation on mating and blood meal feeding behaviors were investigated in the laboratory. Male or female flies were inoculated with fungal conidia ("donors") and allowed to pair with fungus-free mate of opposite sex ("recipients") at 1-day-interval up to three mates. Fungus-treated male or female "donor" flies as well as their mates "recipients" died from fungal infection.

Evaluation of trauma and critical care training courses on the knowledge and confidence of participants in Kenya and Zambia.

Background: Trained health-care personnel are essential for improved outcomes for injured and critically ill patients. The highest injury-related mortality is seen in sub-Saharan Africa, where there is a paucity of skilled personnel. Therefore, the College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA) along with Emory University provided an acute trauma care (ATC) and fundamental critical care support course (FCCS).