Effectiveness of community-based diabetes and hypertension prevention and management programmes in Indonesia and Viet Nam: a quasi-experimental study.

Introduction: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have surpassed infectious diseases as the leading global cause of death, with the Southeast Asian region experiencing a significant rise in NCD prevalence over the past decades. Despite the escalating burden, screening for NCDs remains at very low levels, resulting in undetected cases, premature mortality and high public healthcare costs. We investigate whether community-based NCD prevention and management programmes are an effective solution.

Culturally adapted training for community volunteers to improve their knowledge, attitude and practice regarding non-communicable diseases in Vietnam.

Background: The burden of non-communicable diseases is becoming unmanageable by primary healthcare facilities in low- and middle-income countries. Community-based approaches are promising for supporting healthcare facilities. In Vietnam, community health volunteers are trained in providing health promotion and screening in a culturally adapted training.

Knowledge on hypertension in Myanmar: levels and groups at risk.

Non-communicable diseases, specifically the burden of hypertension, have become a major public health threat to low- and middle-income countries, such as Myanmar. Inadequate knowledge of hypertension and its management among people may hinder its effective prevention and treatment with some groups at particular increased risks, but evidence on this is lacking for Myanmar. The aims of this study were therefore to assess the level of knowledge of risk factors, symptoms and complications of hypertension, by hypertension treatment status, community group-membership, and sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors in Myanmar.

PROTOCOL: Effects of interventions to improve access to financial services for micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises in low- and middle-income countries: An evidence and gap map.

Background: Micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) account for the vast majority of firms in most economies, particularly in developing nations, and are key contributors to job creation and global economic development. However, the most significant impediment to MSME development in low- and middle-income countries is a lack of access to both investment and working capital financing. Due to a lack of essential track record, appropriate collateral, and credit history, MSMEs are frequently denied business loans by traditional lending institutions.

The implementation of community-based programs in Vietnam is promising in promoting health.

Background: Low-and middle-income countries mostly have ageing populations with many unmet economic, social, or health-related needs, Vietnam being an example. Community-based support in Vietnam, organized as Intergenerational Self-Help Clubs (ISHCs) based on the Older People Associations (OPA) model, can help to meet these needs by the provision of services for various aspects of life. This study aims to assess the implementation of the ISHCs and whether successful implementation is associated with more member-reported positive health.

Trapped by the Lack of Control Over Savings: Evidence From Pakistan.

Gender discrimination and associated social norms are important contributing factors to the high frequency of women trapped in poverty - particularly in developing countries. Financial inclusion, especially access to formal saving services, has recently received much attention from the development community for its potential to lift women out of poverty and reduce inequality. To date, however, the impacts of social norms on women's ability to use and benefit from such formal saving services are not widely understood.

A Guideline for Contextual Adaptation of Community-Based Health Interventions.

In Southeast Asia, community-based health interventions (CBHIs) are often used to target non-communicable diseases (NCDs). CBHIs that are tailored to sociocultural aspects of health and well-being: local language, religion, customs, traditions, individual preferences, needs, values, and interests, may promote health more effectively than when no attention is paid to these aspects. In this study, we aimed to develop a guideline for the contextual adaption of CBHIs.

Core health-components, contextual factors and program elements of community-based interventions in Southeast Asia - a realist synthesis regarding hypertension and diabetes.

Background: In Southeast Asia, diabetes and hypertension are on the rise and have become major causes of death. Community-based interventions can achieve the required behavioural change for better prevention. The aims of this review are 1) to assess the core health-components of community-based interventions and 2) to assess which contextual factors and program elements affect their impact in Southeast Asia.

A relational perspective on women's empowerment: Intimate partner violence and empowerment among women entrepreneurs in Vietnam.

Research has mainly studied women's empowerment assessing personal (e.g., self-esteem) or relational (e.

A Three-Dimensional Model of Women's Empowerment: Implications in the Field of Microfinance and Future Directions.

Women's empowerment is an important goal in achieving sustainable development worldwide. Offering access to microfinance services to women is one way to increase women's empowerment. However, empirical evidence provides mixed results with respect to its effectiveness.

The Impact of Social and Financial Education on Savings Attitudes and Behavior Among Primary School Children in Uganda.

Background: Saving plays a crucial role in the process of economic growth. However, one main reason why poor people often do not save is that they lack financial knowledge. Improving the savings culture of children through financial education is a promising way to develop savings attitudes and behavior early in life.