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Mogili AR, Mukisa D, Campbell P, Giibwa A, Binoga M, Emoru A, Kalumuna AT, Damoi JO, Melendez C, Waye J, Marin ML, Zhang LP. Do patients actually understand? An evaluation of the informed consent process for endoscopic procedures in rural Uganda. Surg Endosc 2024; 38:4024-4030. [PMID: 38877318 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-024-10971-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Improving surgical access in low- and middle-income countries is vital for the 5 billion people who lack safe surgical care. Tailoring a culturally sensitive approach to consent is essential for patient comprehension and comfort, thereby alleviating the effects of resource constraints and advancing equitable care. This study examines the consenting process for endoscopy at Kyabirwa Surgical Center in Kyabirwa, Jinja, Uganda, to assess patients' knowledge and attitudes as a potential barrier to participating in endoscopic procedures. METHODS All adult upper endoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy patients were recruited to participate in a survey of their demographics, knowledge, and attitudes toward their procedure. All patients received a standard consultation explaining the procedure and its risks and benefits. RESULTS 75 patients were included; median age was 54 years and 56% (n = 42) were women. 92% (n = 69) of patients had never had an endoscopy before and 73% (n = 55) of patients were scheduled for an EGD while the remaining 27% (n = 20) were scheduled for a colonoscopy. Most patients 80% (n = 60) had a basic understanding of what an endoscopy is and 87% (n = 65) its diagnostic purpose. Few patients 15% (n = 11) knew of the most common side effects or if they would have a surgical scar 27% (n = 20). Overall, 46.7% (n = 35) of patients were moderately or severely fearful of getting an endoscopy. Additionally, 45.3% (n = 34) of patients were moderately or severely fearful of receiving anesthesia during their endoscopic procedure. Despite this fear, most patients 85.3% (n = 64) stated that they understood the benefits of the procedure either very well or extremely well. CONCLUSIONS Most patients understood the role that an endoscopic procedure plays in their care and its potential benefits. Despite this, many patients continued to have high levels of fear associated with both the endoscopic procedure and with receiving anesthesia during their procedure. Future patient education should focus on addressing patients' fears and the risks of undergoing an endoscopy, which may improve the utilization of surgical services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek R Mogili
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Ave, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Daniel Mukisa
- Kyabirwa Surgical Center, Uganda Plot 668, Block 4, Kyabirwa, Jinja, Uganda
| | - Peter Campbell
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Ave, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Angellica Giibwa
- Kyabirwa Surgical Center, Uganda Plot 668, Block 4, Kyabirwa, Jinja, Uganda
| | - Moses Binoga
- Kyabirwa Surgical Center, Uganda Plot 668, Block 4, Kyabirwa, Jinja, Uganda
| | - Arthur Emoru
- Kyabirwa Surgical Center, Uganda Plot 668, Block 4, Kyabirwa, Jinja, Uganda
| | - Anna T Kalumuna
- Kyabirwa Surgical Center, Uganda Plot 668, Block 4, Kyabirwa, Jinja, Uganda
| | - Joseph O Damoi
- Kyabirwa Surgical Center, Uganda Plot 668, Block 4, Kyabirwa, Jinja, Uganda
| | - Chelsia Melendez
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Ave, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Jerome Waye
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Ave, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Michael L Marin
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Ave, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Linda P Zhang
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Ave, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, 1468 Madison Ave, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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Ashraf MN, Fatima I, Muhammad AA, Albutt K, Pigeolet M, Latif A, Meara JG, Samad L. Estimating access to surgical care: A community centered national household survey from Pakistan. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0002130. [PMID: 37967062 PMCID: PMC10651040 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Pakistan is a lower middle-income country in South Asia with a population of 225 million. No estimate for surgical care access exists for the country. We postulate the estimated access to surgical care is less than the minimum 80% to be achieved by 2030. We conducted a randomized, stratified two-stage cluster household survey. A sample of 770 households was selected using 2017 census frames from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Data was collected on choice of hospital and travel time to the chosen hospital for C-section, laparotomy, open fracture repair (OFR), and specialized surgery. Analysis was conducted using Stata 14. Access to all Bellwether surgeries (C-section, laparotomy, and open fracture repair) in Pakistan is estimated to be 74.8%. However, estimated access in rural areas and the provinces of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Sindh is far less than in urban areas and in Punjab and Islamabad. Estimated access to C-sections is more compared to OFR, laparotomy, and specialized surgery. Health system strengthening efforts should focus on improving surgical care access in rural areas and in Balochistan, KP, and Sindh. More focus is required on standardizing the availability and quality of surgical services in secondary-level hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Nabeel Ashraf
- Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States of America
| | - Irum Fatima
- Interactive Research and Development (IRD), Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | | | - Manon Pigeolet
- Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Faculty of Medicine, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Asad Latif
- Department of Anaesthesia, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - John G. Meara
- Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Lubna Samad
- Interactive Research and Development (IRD) Global, Singapore, Singapore
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Sex-Based Differences in Survival Among Patients with Acute Abdomen Undergoing Surgery in Malawi: A Propensity Weighted Analysis. World J Surg 2023; 47:895-902. [PMID: 36622437 PMCID: PMC9838258 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-023-06896-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sex disparities in access to health care in low-resource settings have been demonstrated. Still, there has been little research on the effect of sex on postoperative outcomes. We evaluated the relationship between sex and mortality after emergency abdominal surgery. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study using the acute care surgery database at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Malawi. We included patients who underwent emergency abdominal surgery between 2013 and 2021. We created a propensity score weighted Cox proportional hazards model to assess the relationship between sex and inpatient survival. RESULTS We included 2052 patients in the study, and 76% were males. The most common admission diagnosis in both groups was bowel obstruction. Females had a higher admission shock index than males (0.91 vs. 0.81, p < 0.001) and a longer delay from admission until surgery (1.47 vs. 0.79 days, p < 0.001). Females and males had similar crude postoperative mortality (16.3% vs. 15.3%, p = 0.621). The final Cox proportional hazards regression model was based on the propensity-weighted cohort. The mortality hazard ratio was 0.65 among females compared to males (95% CI 0.46-0.92, p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS Our results show a survival advantage among female patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery despite sex-based disparities in access to surgical care that favors males. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying these findings.
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Zafar MH, Zaka Ur Rehman TA, Khan MS, Ahmed S, Shariff A. The Impact of Delayed Surgical Care on Patient Outcomes With Alimentary Tract Perforation: Insight From a Low-Middle Income Country. Cureus 2022; 14:e27592. [PMID: 36059326 PMCID: PMC9434359 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.27592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In-patient delay is associated with increased mortality in patients with alimentary tract perforations. Access to surgical care is a glaring health issue in low-middle income countries (LMICs), where patient presentation is also delayed for a myriad of reasons, which can be broadly categorized as social/cultural, financial, and structural in their nature. The impact these delays have on surgical outcomes in low-middle income countries is not known. Methods A retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent emergency laparotomy for alimentary tract perforation from July 2015 to June 2018 was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Time was recorded in two variables: symptom onset to emergency room presentation (ERT) and emergency room to operation room time (ORT). Results Overall, 80 patients were included in the study. The 12 (15%) patients who expired were significantly older (57 ± 17.7 years of age), had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index and had longer ORT [median ORT in hours-discharged vs expired: 8.2 (IQR 5-15) vs 16 (IQR 12-28) p=0.02]. ERT was also longer but lacked statistical significance [median ERT in hours-discharged vs expired: 24 (IQR 22-72) vs 48 (IQR 24-120) p=0.19]. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed ORT to be significantly associated with mortality [odds ratio (OR): 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.003-1.041; p=0.02]. Adjusted Cox regression analysis showed that each hour of ORT increased the risk of mortality by 1.5% [hazard ratio (HR) 1.015, 95% CI 1.001-1.030]. Conclusion Inpatient delays increased the risk of mortality for patients undergoing emergency laparotomy for alimentary tract perforation. Larger sample sizes and prospective studies are needed to better understand this relationship and the impact pre-hospital delays have on outcomes.
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Access and Financial Burden for Patients Seeking Essential Surgical Care in Pakistan. Ann Glob Health 2022; 88:107. [PMID: 36590374 PMCID: PMC9784127 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.3784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pakistan is a lower middle-income country in South Asia with a population of over 220 million. With the recent development of national health programs focusing on surgical care, two areas of high priority for research and policy are access and financial risk protection related to surgery. This is the first study in Pakistan to nationally assess geographic access and expenditures for patients undergoing surgery. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of patients undergoing laparotomy, cesarean section, and surgical management of a fracture at public tertiary care hospitals across the country. A validated financial risk protection tool was adapted for our study to collect data on the socio-economic characteristics of patients, geographic access, and out-of-pocket expenditure. Results A total of 526 patients were surveyed at 13 public hospitals. 73.8% of patients had 2-hour access to the facility where they underwent their respective surgical procedures. A majority (53%) of patients were poor at baseline, and 79.5% and 70.3% of patients experienced catastrophic health expenditure and impoverishing health expenditure, respectively. Discussion A substantial number of patients face long travel times to access essential surgical care and face a high percentage of impoverishing health expenditure and catastrophic health expenditure during this process. This study provides valuable baseline data to health policymakers for reform efforts that are underway. Conclusions Strengthening surgical infrastructure and services in the existing network of public sector first-level facilities has the potential to dramatically improve emergency and essential surgical care across the country.
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Mehta K, Arega H, Smith NL, Li K, Gause E, Lee J, Stewart B. Gender-based disparities in burn injuries, care and outcomes: A World Health Organization (WHO) Global Burn Registry cohort study. Am J Surg 2022; 223:157-163. [PMID: 34330521 PMCID: PMC8688305 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2021.07.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to describe the gender-based disparities in burn injury patterns, care received, and mortality across national income levels. METHODS In the WHO Global Burn Registry (GBR), we compared patient demographics, injury characteristics, care and outcomes by sex using Chi-square statistics. Logistic regression was used to identify the associations of patient sex with surgical treatment and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS Among 6431 burn patients (38 % female; 62 % male), females less frequently received surgical treatment during index hospitalization (49 % vs 56 %, p < 0.001), and more frequently died in-hospital (26 % vs 16 %, p < 0.001) than males. Odds of in in-hospital death was 2.16 (95 % CI: 1.73-2.71) times higher among females compared to males in middle-income countries. CONCLUSIONS Across national income levels, there appears to be important gender-based disparities among burn injury epidemiology, treatment received and outcomes that require redress. Multinational registries can be utilized to track and to evaluate initiatives to reduce gender disparities at national, regional and global levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kajal Mehta
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Hana Arega
- School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Kathleen Li
- Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Emma Gause
- Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Joohee Lee
- Public Health Concern Trust-Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Barclay Stewart
- Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Choi S, Shin H, Heo J, Gedlu E, Nega B, Moges T, Bezabih A, Park J, Kim WH. How do caregivers of children with congenital heart diseases access and navigate the healthcare system in Ethiopia? BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:110. [PMID: 33526022 PMCID: PMC7852139 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06083-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surgery can correct congenital heart defects, but disease management in low- and middle-income countries can be challenging and complex due to a lack of referral system, financial resources, human resources, and infrastructure for surgical and post-operative care. This study investigates the experiences of caregivers of children with CHD accessing the health care system and pediatric cardiac surgery. METHODS A qualitative study was conducted at a teaching hospital in Ethiopia. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 caregivers of 10 patients with CHD who underwent cardiac surgery. We additionally conducted chart reviews for triangulation and verification. Interviews were conducted in Amharic and then translated into English. Data were analyzed according to the principles of interpretive thematic analysis, informed by the candidacy framework. RESULTS The following four observations emerged from the interviews: (a) most patients were diagnosed with CHD at birth if they were born at a health care facility, but for those born at home, CHD was discovered much later (b) many patients experienced misdiagnoses before seeking care at a large hospital, (c) after diagnosis, patients were waiting for the surgery for more than a year, (d) caregivers felt anxious and optimistic once they were able to schedule the surgical date. During the care-seeking journey, caregivers encountered financial constraints, struggled in a fragmented delivery system, and experienced poor service quality. CONCLUSIONS Delayed access to care was largely due to the lack of early CHD recognition and financial hardships, related to the inefficient and disorganized health care system. Fee waivers were available to assist low-income children in gaining access to health services or medications, but application information was not readily available. Indirect costs like long-distance travel contributed to this challenge. Overall, improvements must be made for district-level screening and the health care workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sugy Choi
- Department of Health Law, Policy & Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Global Surgery and Implementation Science, JW LEE Center for Global Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Heesu Shin
- Program in Global Surgery and Implementation Science, JW LEE Center for Global Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Seoul National University College of Nursing, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongho Heo
- Program in Global Surgery and Implementation Science, JW LEE Center for Global Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- National Assembly Futures Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Etsegenet Gedlu
- School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Berhanu Nega
- School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Tamirat Moges
- School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abebe Bezabih
- School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Jayoung Park
- Program in Global Surgery and Implementation Science, JW LEE Center for Global Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Woong-Han Kim
- Program in Global Surgery and Implementation Science, JW LEE Center for Global Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Are Rural Hospitals in Pakistan Responding to the Global Surgery Movement? An Analysis of the Gaps, Challenges and Opportunities. World J Surg 2021; 44:1045-1052. [PMID: 31848676 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-019-05327-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Access to essential surgical care is vital for reduction in mortality and morbidity as a result of surgical conditions. These account for 28-32% of the overall global burden of disease, yet billions of people lack access to safe, affordable surgical and anesthesia care when needed. The purpose of this study was to assess the capacity for surgical care in rural hospitals across four provinces of Pakistan. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study undertaken in 10 rural hospitals across four provinces of the country. Of these, six were district and four sub-district hospitals that were purposively selected in consultation with the government. Data were gathered using the WHO-PGSSC Surgical Assessment Tool. RESULTS This study estimated 3 of the 6 indicators proposed by the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery. While most hospitals had basic provisions of infrastructure and equipment, severe shortage of specialists was observed with 0.56 specialists (surgeons, gynecologists and anesthetists) present per 100,000 population. Two-hour access was possible for the catchment population of 7 out of the 10 hospitals. Of the 43 essential surgical procedures assessed, 13 or 30% procedures were available per hospital. The three Bellwether procedures were provided by only 1 hospital. Mean number of surgeries performed was 753 ± 979 per 100,000 population. CONCLUSIONS Our study has demonstrated major gaps in the provision of surgical care in rural hospitals in Pakistan. While developing a strategy and national action plan is necessary, implementation can immediately begin at the local level to address the gaps that need urgent attention.
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Burgoon ML, Miller PA, Hoover-Hankerson B, Strand N, Ross H. Challenges to Understanding and Compliance Among Surgical Patients in Low-Income Urban Teaching Hospitals. Am Surg 2020; 87:818-824. [PMID: 33231485 DOI: 10.1177/0003134820960078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Financial and educational barriers significantly impact low socioeconomic status racial and ethnic minority groups in their pursuit of health care, though less is known about the interplay of these factors in the pursuit of surgical care. This study was designed to uncover the challenges to patient understanding and compliance with pre- and postsurgical clinical advice in low-income urban environments. The data for this study were collected in spoken survey with eighty patients in 9 surgery clinics at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. Survey responses were coded into various groups until categories emerged. Relationships among categories were identified to generate themes and subthemes. Key facilitators of patient understanding and compliance were physician likeability and communication. Eighty (100%) patients reported that the physician always treated them with respect, which was important in their interpretation of their experience with the physician. Eighteen (23%) patients identified a language other than English as their primary language and 57 (71%) patients completed high school or less schooling, which likely influenced their communication with the physician. Eighty (100%) patients expressed that the physician always explained things in a way they could understand, focusing on clarity and thoroughness. Challenges to patient understanding and compliance were finances and social resources. Patients noted difficulty paying for medical care and a lack of support at home. Agency could facilitate use of surgical care while a lack thereof could challenge motivation. Ultimately, these themes showed how patients in this environment interact with surgical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montgomry L Burgoon
- 12314Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Parker A Miller
- 12314Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Nicolle Strand
- Department of Urban Bioethics, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, 12314Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Howard Ross
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, 25139Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Nguyen K, Bhattacharya SD, Maloney MJ, Figueroa L, Taicher RM, Ross S, Rice HE. Self-reported Barriers to Pediatric Surgical Care in Guatemala. Am Surg 2020. [DOI: 10.1177/000313481307900921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Access to pediatric surgical care is limited in low- and middle-income countries. Barriers must be identified before improvements can be made. This pilot study aimed to identify self-reported barriers to pediatric surgical care in Guatemala. We surveyed 78 families of Guatemalan children with surgical conditions who were seen at a pediatric surgical clinic in Guatemala City. Spanish translators were used to complete questionnaires regarding perceived barriers to surgical care. Surgical conditions included hernias, rectal prolapse, anorectal malformations, congenital heart defects, cryptorchidism, soft tissue masses, and vestibulourethral reflux. Average patient age was 8.2 years (range, 1 month to 17 years) with male predominance (62%). Families reported an average symptom duration of 3.7 years before clinic evaluation. Families traveled a variety of distances to obtain surgical care: 36 per cent were local (less than 10 km), 17 per cent traveled 10 to 50 km, and 47 per cent traveled greater than 50 km. Other barriers to surgery included financial (58.9%), excessive wait time in the national healthcare system (10. 2%), distrust of local surgeons (37.2%), and geographic inaccessibility to surgical care (10.2%). The majority of study patients required outpatient procedures, which could improve their quality of life. Many barriers to pediatric surgical care exist in Guatemala. Interventions to remove these obstacles may enhance access to surgery and benefit children in low- and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karissa Nguyen
- Mending Kids International, Burbank, California and Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | | | - Megan J. Maloney
- Departments of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Ligia Figueroa
- Moore Pediatric Surgical Center, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Rad M. Taicher
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Sherry Ross
- Departments of Urology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Henry E. Rice
- Departments of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
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Wadhwa M, Chatterjee S. A study to assess the utilisation of health services by pregnant women in rural area of Vadodara district. ADVANCES IN HUMAN BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.4103/aihb.aihb_38_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Riggs J, Chung KC. Postoperative Management of Hand Surgery in the Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Hand Clin 2019; 35:403-410. [PMID: 31585600 DOI: 10.1016/j.hcl.2019.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The prevention and treatment of hand injuries in low- to middle-income countries needs to be a priority. Surgical outreach trips are a primary avenue for patients to receive interventions. Challenges include language and cultural barriers, poor infrastructure, and limitations in a patient's ability to follow-up. Strategies to maximize patient functional outcomes include cultural competence, patient education resources, overcoming communication barriers, and using task-shifting strategies. Local therapists' knowledge and clinical skills can be enhanced. With improvements in data collection, therapists may contribute to gaining knowledge of outcomes in low- to middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne Riggs
- Michigan Medicine Plastic Surgery Clinic, Domino's Farms, Lobby A, rm 1108, 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Michigan Medicine, 325 East Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA
| | - Kevin C Chung
- Section of Plastic Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, The University of Michigan Health System, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, 2130 Taubman Center, SPC 5340, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5340, USA.
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Starr N, Carpenter S, Carvalho M, Souza A, Chin R, Kasotakis G, Worku M. Diagnosis and management of surgical disease at Ethiopian health centres: cross-sectional survey of resources and barriers to care. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e031525. [PMID: 31662390 PMCID: PMC6830645 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to characterise the resources and challenges for surgical care and referrals at health centres (HCs) in South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia. SETTING Eight primary HCs in South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS Eight health officers and nurses staffing eight HCs completed a survey. DESIGN The study was a survey-based, cross-sectional assessment of HCs in South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia and data were collected over a 30-day period from November 2014 to January 2015. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Survey assessed human and material resources, diagnostic capabilities and challenges and patient-reported barriers to care. RESULTS Eight HCs had an average of 18 providers each, the majority of which were nurses (62.2%) and health officers (20.7%). HCs had intermittent availability of clean water, nasogastric tubes, rectal tubes and suturing materials, none of them had any form of imaging. A total of 168 surgical patients were seen at the 8 HCs; 58% were referred for surgery. Most common diagnoses were trauma/burns (42%) and need for caesarean section (9%). Of those who did not receive surgery, 32 patients reported specific barriers to obtaining care (91.4%). The most common specific barriers were patients not being decision makers to have surgery, lack of family/social support and inability to afford hospital fees. CONCLUSIONS HCs in South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia are well-staffed with nurses and health officers, however they face a number of diagnostic and treatment challenges due to lack of material resources. Many patients requiring surgery receive initial diagnosis and care at HCs; sociocultural and financial factors commonly prohibit these patients from receiving surgery. Further study is needed to determine how such delays may impact patient outcomes. Improving material resources at HCs and exploring community and family perceptions of surgery may enable more streamlined access to surgical care and prevent delays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nichole Starr
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Sarah Carpenter
- School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Melissa Carvalho
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Aileen Souza
- Department of Pediatrics, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Robin Chin
- School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Mengistu Worku
- Department of Surgery, Dessie Referral Hospital, Dessie, Ethiopia
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Lorincz-Comi N, Bah S, Welser HT, Maduka J. Chronic disease treatment seeking and depression. JOURNAL OF PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH 2019. [DOI: 10.1108/jpmh-01-2019-0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the effect of depression symptoms and their associated severity on reducing treatment sought for chronic medical conditions in respondents living in a low-/middle-income country.
Design/methodology/approach
Data for this paper are provided by the national cross-sectional World Health Survey (2003) completed in Pakistan. The authors constructed two samples: one reporting an angina diagnosis (n=150) and another an arthritis diagnosis (n=176), each reporting two or more respective disease symptoms. Logistic regression models, after controlling for confounding variables, were performed to predict treatment received in the last two weeks for respondents’ respective disease.
Findings
In respondents with angina, depression severity significantly reduced the likelihood of angina treatment received in the two weeks before survey; depression treatment significantly increased this likelihood. In respondents with arthritis, no psychopathologic variables predicted arthritis treatment received.
Research limitations/implications
This paper works to elucidate the constructs underlying the heavy chronic disease burdens, we currently witness in low-/middle-income countries. As the authors’ design is cross-sectional, future research would benefit from using longitudinal designs to further investigate the relationship between these morbidities.
Practical implications
These findings encourage further collaboration between medical and mental health professionals to develop stratified treatment strategies, especially in potentially underdeveloped settings, such as Pakistan. This paper also encourages the development of policy intended to provide residents of Pakistan and countries in similar socioeconomic positions with more medical and psychiatric treatment services.
Originality/value
This paper is unique in identifying the relationship between these morbidities in a large, population-based sample of respondents from a low-/middle-income country, Pakistan.
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Global variation in anastomosis and end colostomy formation following left-sided colorectal resection. BJS Open 2019; 3:403-414. [PMID: 31891112 PMCID: PMC6921967 DOI: 10.1002/bjs5.50138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND End colostomy rates following colorectal resection vary across institutions in high-income settings, being influenced by patient, disease, surgeon and system factors. This study aimed to assess global variation in end colostomy rates after left-sided colorectal resection. METHODS This study comprised an analysis of GlobalSurg-1 and -2 international, prospective, observational cohort studies (2014, 2016), including consecutive adult patients undergoing elective or emergency left-sided colorectal resection within discrete 2-week windows. Countries were grouped into high-, middle- and low-income tertiles according to the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI). Factors associated with colostomy formation versus primary anastomosis were explored using a multilevel, multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS In total, 1635 patients from 242 hospitals in 57 countries undergoing left-sided colorectal resection were included: 113 (6·9 per cent) from low-HDI, 254 (15·5 per cent) from middle-HDI and 1268 (77·6 per cent) from high-HDI countries. There was a higher proportion of patients with perforated disease (57·5, 40·9 and 35·4 per cent; P < 0·001) and subsequent use of end colostomy (52·2, 24·8 and 18·9 per cent; P < 0·001) in low- compared with middle- and high-HDI settings. The association with colostomy use in low-HDI settings persisted (odds ratio (OR) 3·20, 95 per cent c.i. 1·35 to 7·57; P = 0·008) after risk adjustment for malignant disease (OR 2·34, 1·65 to 3·32; P < 0·001), emergency surgery (OR 4·08, 2·73 to 6·10; P < 0·001), time to operation at least 48 h (OR 1·99, 1·28 to 3·09; P = 0·002) and disease perforation (OR 4·00, 2·81 to 5·69; P < 0·001). CONCLUSION Global differences existed in the proportion of patients receiving end stomas after left-sided colorectal resection based on income, which went beyond case mix alone.
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Khan MS, Siddiqui MTH, Shahzad N, Haider A, Chaudhry MBH, Alvi R. Factors Associated with Complicated Appendicitis: View from a Low-middle Income Country. Cureus 2019; 11:e4765. [PMID: 31363446 PMCID: PMC6663039 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.4765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Factors associated with complicated appendicitis have been inconsistently identified. Moreover, studies are lacking from low and low-middle countries where access to surgical care is limited. Our objective was to identify factors predicting complicated appendicitis as diagnosed intraoperatively in a low-middle income country hospital. Methodology Retrospective case-control study of patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy from 01/2008 to 12/2015 was completed. Based on intraoperative diagnosis of complicated appendicitis, patients were divided into two groups; those with complicated appendicitis (CA) and those who had non-complicated appendicitis (NCA). CT scans were further reviewed to identify presence of appendicolith. Result Of the 442 patients included, 88 (20%) patients were in the CA group while 354 (80%) patients were in the NCA group. Patients in the CA group were older [CA vs. NCA: 34.6 ± 14 vs. 30.4 ± 11.5; p-value < 0.001], had symptoms for longer duration [CA vs. NCA: 2 ± 1.2 vs. 1.5 ± 0.8; p-value: 0.001] and had a greater proportion of patients with appendicoliths [CA vs. NCA: 37 (42%) vs. 84 (23.7%); p-value: 0.001]. On multivariable regression analysis, patients with complicated appendicitis had greater odds of having appendicoliths (OR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.4-4.07; p-value < 0.001) and symptoms for a longer duration (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.25-1.97; p-value < 0.001). Conclusion Patients with complicated appendicitis had greater odds of having appendicoliths and symptoms for a longer duration. Further studies are warranted in low and low-middle income countries to gauge the impact delay in presentation and intervention has on appendicitis and its outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Noman Shahzad
- General Surgery, East Kent Hospitals University National Health Service Foundation Trust, Margate, GBR
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Paisi M, Kay E, Plessas A, Burns L, Quinn C, Brennan N, White S. Barriers and enablers to accessing dental services for people experiencing homelessness: A systematic review. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2019; 47:103-111. [PMID: 30614026 DOI: 10.1111/cdoe.12444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Revised: 11/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this systematic review was to identify and conceptualize the barriers and enablers to accessing dental services for people experiencing homelessness in the United Kingdom. METHODS A literature search for studies relevant to homelessness and dental care was conducted. The PRISMA and ENTREQ guidelines were followed. Electronic databases (EMBASE, MEDLINE, DOSS, CINAHL, SOCINDEX and PsycINFO) and grey literature sources (Electronic Theses Online Service - EThOS, Kings Fund, NICE Evidence, Open Grey, Google and the Health Foundation) were searched up to 28 August 2018. The critical appraisal was conducted using CASP and an adjusted version of a JBI Critical Appraisal tool. Thematic analysis was used to develop the themes and domains. RESULTS Twenty-eight papers were included. Barriers to homeless people accessing dental care stemmed both from the lived experience of homelessness and the healthcare system. Within homelessness, the themes identified included complexity, emotions and knowledge. Regarding the healthcare system, identified themes included staff encounter, accessibility and organization issues. CONCLUSION Homelessness can actively contribute to both an increased need for dental care and barriers to accessing that care. The arrangement of dental healthcare services can also act as barriers to care. This is the first systematic review to conceptualize the factors associated with access to dental care for people who are homeless. It provides a set of recommendations for overcoming the main barriers for homeless people to accessing dental care. It also offers directions for future research, policy and commissioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Paisi
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Elizabeth Kay
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | | | - Lorna Burns
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Cath Quinn
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Nicola Brennan
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Sandra White
- Health Improvement Directorate, Public Health England, London, UK
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White MC, Randall K, Avara E, Mullis J, Parker G, Shrime MG. Clinical Outcome, Social Impact and Patient Expectation: a Purposive Sampling Pilot Evaluation of Patients in Benin Seven Years After Surgery. World J Surg 2018; 42:1254-1261. [PMID: 29026968 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-017-4296-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Access to affordable and timely surgery is not equitable around the world. Five billion people lack access, and while non-governmental organizations (NGOs) help to meet this need, long-term surgical outcomes, social impact or patient experience is rarely reported. METHOD In 2016, Mercy Ships, a surgical NGO, undertook an evaluation of patients who had received surgery seven years earlier with Mercy Ships in 2009 in Benin. Using purposive sampling, patients who had received maxillofacial, plastics or orthopedic surgery were invited to attend a surgical evaluation day. In this pilot study, we used semi-structured interviews and questionnaire responses to assess patient expectation, surgical and social outcome. RESULTS Our results show that seven years after surgery 35% of patients report surgery-related pain and 18% had sought further care for a clinical complication of their condition. However, 73% of patients report gaining social benefit from surgery, and overall patient satisfaction was 89%, despite 35% of patients saying that they were unclear what to expect after surgery indicating a mismatch of doctor/patient expectations and failure of the consent process. CONCLUSION In conclusion, our pilot study shows that NGO surgery in Benin provided positive social impact associated with complication rates comparable to high-income countries when assessed seven years later. Key areas for further study in LMICs are: evaluation and treatment of chronic pain, consent and access to further care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle C White
- M/V Africa Mercy, Mercy Ships, Port Au Cotonou, Benin.
- Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, UK.
| | | | - Esther Avara
- M/V Africa Mercy, Mercy Ships, Port Au Cotonou, Benin
| | - Jenny Mullis
- M/V Africa Mercy, Mercy Ships, Port Au Cotonou, Benin
| | - Gary Parker
- M/V Africa Mercy, Mercy Ships, Port Au Cotonou, Benin
| | - Mark G Shrime
- M/V Africa Mercy, Mercy Ships, Port Au Cotonou, Benin
- Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA, USA
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White MC, Hamer M, Biddell J, Claus N, Randall K, Alcorn D, Parker G, Shrime MG. Facilitating access to surgical care through a decentralised case-finding strategy: experience in Madagascar. BMJ Glob Health 2017; 2:e000427. [PMID: 29071129 PMCID: PMC5640035 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2017-000427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Revised: 08/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Over two-thirds of the world’s population lack access to surgical care. Non-governmental organisation’s providing free surgeries may overcome financial barriers, but other barriers to care still exist. This analysis paper discusses two different case-finding strategies in Madagascar that aimed to increase the proportion of poor patients, women and those for whom multiple barriers to care exist. From October 2014 to June 2015, we used a centralised selection strategy, aiming to find 70% of patients from the port city, Toamasina, and 30% from the national capital and two remote cities. From August 2015 to June 2016, a decentralised strategy was used, aiming to find 30% of patients from Toamasina and 70% from 11 remote locations, including the capital. Demographic information and self-reported barriers to care were collected. Wealth quintile was calculated for each patient using a combination of participant responses to asset-related and demographic questions, and publicly available data. A total of 2971 patients were assessed. The change from centralised to decentralised selection resulted in significantly poorer patients undergoing surgery. All reported barriers to prior care, except for lack of transportation, were significantly more likely to be identified in the decentralised group. Patients who identified multiple barriers to prior surgical care were less likely to be from the richest quintile (p=0.037) and more likely to be in the decentralised group (p=0.046). Our country-specific analysis shows that decentralised patient selection strategies may be used to overcome barriers to care and allow patients in greatest need to access surgical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle C White
- Department of Anaesthesia, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK.,Hospital Department, Mercy Ships, Cotonou, Benin.,Hospital Department, Mercy Ships, Toamasina, Madagascar
| | - Mirjam Hamer
- Hospital Department, Mercy Ships, Toamasina, Madagascar.,Department of Intensive Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jasmin Biddell
- Hospital Department, Mercy Ships, Toamasina, Madagascar.,Department of Emergency Care, Lady Cilento Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nathan Claus
- Hospital Department, Mercy Ships, Cotonou, Benin.,Hospital Department, Mercy Ships, Toamasina, Madagascar
| | - Kirsten Randall
- Hospital Department, Mercy Ships, Cotonou, Benin.,Hospital Department, Mercy Ships, Toamasina, Madagascar
| | | | - Gary Parker
- Hospital Department, Mercy Ships, Cotonou, Benin.,Hospital Department, Mercy Ships, Toamasina, Madagascar
| | - Mark G Shrime
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Spiegel DA, Droti B, Relan P, Hobson S, Cherian MN, O'Neill K. Retrospective review of Surgical Availability and Readiness in 8 African countries. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e014496. [PMID: 28264832 PMCID: PMC5353330 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to assess surgical availability and readiness in 8 African countries using the WHO's Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) tool. SETTING We analysed data for surgical services, including basic and comprehensive surgery, comprehensive obstetric care, blood transfusion, and infection prevention, obtained from the WHO's SARA surveys in Sierra Leone, Uganda, Mauritania, Benin, Zambia, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo and Togo. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Among the facilities that were expected to offer surgical services (N=3492), there were wide disparities between the countries in the number of facilities per 100 000 population that reported offering basic surgery (1.0-12.1), comprehensive surgery (0.1-0.8), comprehensive obstetric care (0.1-0.8) and blood transfusion (0.1-0.8). Only 0.1-0.3 facilities per 100 000 population had all three bellwether procedures available, namely laparotomy, open fracture management and caesarean section. In all the countries, the facilities that reported offering surgical services generally had a shortage of the necessary items for offering the services and this varied greatly between the countries, with the facilities having on average 27-53% of the items necessary for offering basic surgery, 56-83% for comprehensive surgery, 49-72% for comprehensive obstetric care and 54-80% for blood transfusion. Furthermore, few facilities had all the necessary items present. However, facilities that reported offering surgical services had on average most of the necessary items for the prevention of infection. CONCLUSIONS There are important gaps in the surgical services in the 8 African countries surveyed. Efforts are therefore urgently needed to address deficiencies in the availability and readiness to deliver surgical services in these nations, and this will require commitment from multiple stakeholders. SARA may be used to monitor availability and readiness at regular intervals, which will enable stakeholders to evaluate progress and identify gaps and areas for improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Spiegel
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - B Droti
- World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - P Relan
- North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | - S Hobson
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - M N Cherian
- World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - K O'Neill
- World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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The Ponseti Method for Clubfoot Treatment in Low and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review of Barriers and Solutions to Service Delivery. J Pediatr Orthop 2017; 37:e134-e139. [PMID: 26919713 DOI: 10.1097/bpo.0000000000000723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Use of the minimally invasive Ponseti method has been increasing in low and middle-income countries, where most of the world's children with clubfoot are born. This method requires a system of service delivery involving screening, serial casting with or without a tenotomy to achieve correction, and long-term use of an orthosis to maintain correction. The goal of this systematic review is to evaluate the barriers to service delivery and the solutions that have been proposed or implemented to address these barriers. METHODS A literature search of Medline, Embase, and SCOPUS produced 3251 results. Twenty-four papers were selected for final review. Barriers and their attempted solutions were organized into a previously described health barrier model. We reported on high-impact, sustainable solutions that are feasible for organizations to implement, as opposed to solutions that require major policy or country-wide infrastructure changes. RESULTS Common barriers found to have the most impact on patient care included financial constraints, transportation, difficulties with brace and cast care, self-perceived health status, lack of physical resources, and provider's lack of knowledge and skill. The most common solutions detailed were education of the provider or patient and financial assistance for patients. CONCLUSIONS Recognizing that contextually relevant solutions to the challenges of setting up a system for clubfoot service delivery are required, several common barriers have emerged within this systematic review of papers from multiple countries, including spatial accessibility, affordability, and availability. Programs can best prepare for challenges by placing clinics close to population centers and/or allocating funds to subsidize transportation, ensuring that an adequate supply of materials are available for the casting and tenotomy, and enhancing the education of families and health providers. Strengthening communication and establishing partnerships between individuals and organizations promoting the Ponseti method will improve systems for service delivery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV-prognostic study.
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Rutaremwa G, Kabagenyi A. Utilization of integrated HIV and sexual and reproductive health services among women in Uganda. BMC Health Serv Res 2016; 16:494. [PMID: 27645152 PMCID: PMC5029044 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-016-1761-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While the rationale for integration of HIV and sexual and reproductive health (HIV and SRH) services is strong, there is paucity of information on which population groups most utilize these services. Such studies would inform policy and programs on integration of services. The overall objective of this assessment is to provide information to researchers, planners and policy makers on the best practices for integrated services in order to maximize feasibility of scaling up. Specifically, this research paper identifies demographic and socioeconomic factors that are most related to utilization of integrated services in Uganda. METHODS This manuscript uses data from a sample of 9,691 women interviewed during the Uganda AIDS Indicator Survey (UAIS) of 2011. The selection criteria of the study respondents for this paper included women of reproductive age 15 - 49 years. The dependent variable is whether the respondent utilized integrated HIV and SRH services during pregnancy and delivery of the last child, while independent variables include; region of residence, age-group of woman, marital status, rural-urban residence, wealth indicator and educational level attainment. In the main analysis, a binary logistic regression model was fitted to the data. RESULTS Log-odds of utilizing integrated services were significantly higher among those women with a primary education (OR = 1.2, 95 % CI = 1.0-1.4, p < 0.05) compared to those with no education. Women from the Central part of Uganda were more likely to utilize integrated HIV and SRH services (OR = 1.3, 95 % CI = 1.0-1.7, p < 0.05), further the log-odds of utilizing integrated HIV and SRH services were significantly higher among women residing in Northern region (OR = 1.6, 95 % CI = 1.2-2.2, p < 0.01). The odds of utilization of integrated HIV and SRH services were higher for currently married women (OR = 6.6, 95 % CI = 5.5-8.0, p < 0.01) and the formerly married (OR = 3.4, 95 % CI = 2.7-4.2, p < 0.01), compared to the never married group. The odds of utilizing integrated HIV and SRH services were higher for younger women of ages less than 35 years compared to older women aged 40 - 49 years. CONCLUSIONS Utilization of integrated HIV and SRH services in Uganda is influenced greatly by demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. This study contributes to the current debate as it shows the on how best ways to improve HIV and SRH service delivery to the people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gideon Rutaremwa
- United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Social Development Policy Division, P.O.Box 3001, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Allen Kabagenyi
- Center for Population and Applied Statistics (CPAS) and Department of Population Studies, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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Consensus recommendations for essential vascular care in low- and middle-income countries. J Vasc Surg 2016; 64:1770-1779.e1. [PMID: 27432199 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2016.05.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are ill equipped to care for the large and growing burden of vascular conditions. We aimed to develop essential vascular care recommendations that would be feasible for implementation at nearly every setting worldwide, regardless of national income. METHODS The normative Delphi method was used to achieve consensus on essential vascular care resources among 27 experts in multiple areas of vascular care and public health as well as with experience in LMIC health care. Five anonymous, iterative rounds of survey with controlled feedback and a statistical response were used to reach consensus on essential vascular care resources. RESULTS The matrices provide recommendations for 92 vascular care resources at each of the four levels of care in most LMICs, comprising primary health centers and first-level, referral, and tertiary hospitals. The recommendations include essential and desirable resources and encompass the following categories: screening, counseling, and evaluation; diagnostics; medical care; surgical care; equipment and supplies; and medications. CONCLUSIONS The resources recommended have the potential to improve the ability of LMIC health care systems to respond to the large and growing burden of vascular conditions. Many of these resources can be provided with thoughtful planning and organization, without significant increases in cost. However, the resources must be incorporated into a framework that includes surveillance of vascular conditions, monitoring and evaluation of vascular capacity and care, a well functioning prehospital and interhospital transport system, and vascular training for existing and future health care providers.
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Barriers to essential surgical care experienced by women in the two northernmost regions of Ghana: a cross-sectional survey. BMC WOMENS HEALTH 2016; 16:27. [PMID: 27230890 PMCID: PMC4882854 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-016-0308-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women in developing countries might experience certain barriers to care more frequently than men. We aimed to describe barriers to essential surgical care that women face in five communities in Ghana. METHODS Questions regarding potential barriers were asked during surgical outreaches to five communities in the northernmost regions of Ghana. Responses were scored in three dimensions from 0 to 18 (i.e., 'acceptability,' 'affordability,' and 'accessibility'; 18 implied no barriers). A barrier to care index out of 10 was derived (10 implied no barriers). An open-ended question to elicit gender-specific barriers was also asked. RESULTS Of the 320 participants approached, 315 responded (response rate 98 %); 149 were women (47 %). Women had a slightly lower barriers to surgical care index (median index 7.4; IQR 3.9-9.1) than men (7.9; IQR 3.9-9.4; p = 0.002). Compared with men, women had lower accessibility and acceptability dimension scores (14.4/18 vs 14.4/18; p = 0.001 and 13.5/18 vs 14/18; p = 0.05, respectively), but similar affordability scores (13.5/18 vs 13.5/18; p = 0.13). Factors contributing to low dimension scores among women included fear of anesthesia, lack of social support, and difficulty navigating healthcare, as well as lack of hospital privacy and confidentiality. CONCLUSION Women had a slightly lower barriers to surgical care index than men, which may indicate greater barriers to surgical care. However, the actual significance of this difference is not yet known. Community-level education regarding the safety and benefits of essential surgical care is needed. Additionally, healthcare facilities must ensure a private and confidential care environment. These interventions might ameliorate some barriers to essential surgical care for women in Ghana, as well as other LMICs more broadly.
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Barriers to Essential Surgical Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Pilot Study of a Comprehensive Assessment Tool in Ghana. World J Surg 2016; 39:2613-21. [PMID: 26243561 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-015-3168-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Beyond resource deficiencies, other barriers to care prevent patients from receiving surgery in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aimed to develop and pilot a comprehensive, generalizable tool for assessing the barriers to surgical care. METHODS Sociodemographic, clinical and 38 questions regarding potential barriers to surgical care were asked during a surgical outreach to two district and one regional hospital in Upper East Region, Ghana. Sites were selected to capture individuals with prolonged unmet surgical needs and represent geographic, socioeconomic, and healthcare development differences. Results were indexed into three dimensions of barriers to care (i.e., 'acceptability,' 'affordability,' and 'accessibility') so that communities could be compared and targeted interventions developed. RESULTS The tool was administered to 148 participants (98 % response rate): Bolgatanga 54 (37 %); Amiah 16 (11 %); and Sandema 78 (52 %). Amiah had the fewest barriers to surgical care (median index 8.3; IQR 7.6-9.3), followed by Sandema (8.2; IQR 5.3-9.2) and Bolgatanga (6.7; IQR 3.9-9.5). Individual dimension scores (i.e., acceptability, affordability, accessibility) ranged from 10.8 to 18 out of 18 possible points. Main factors contributing to low dimension scores were different between communities: Bolgatanga-cost and healthcare navigation; Amiah-social marginalization and poor medical understanding; Sandema-distance to surgically capable facility. CONCLUSION This study identified a number of significant barriers, as well as successes for patients' ability and willingness to access surgical care that differed between communities. The tool itself was well accepted, easy to administer and provided valuable data from which targeted interventions can be developed.
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Wells KM, Shalabi H, Sergelen O, Wiessner P, Zhang C, deVries C, Price R. Patient and Physician Perceptions of Changes in Surgical Care in Mongolia 9 Years After Roll-out of a National Training Program for Laparoscopy. World J Surg 2016; 40:1859-64. [DOI: 10.1007/s00268-016-3498-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Addressing the Global Disparities in the Delivery of Pediatric Orthopaedic Services: Opportunities for COUR and POSNA. J Pediatr Orthop 2016; 36:89-95. [PMID: 26296220 DOI: 10.1097/bpo.0000000000000400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The burden of musculoskeletal conditions, especially injuries, is increasing in low-income and middle-income countries. Road traffic injuries have become epidemic. There are multiple barriers to accessing surgical services at both the individual (utilization) and the health system (availability) levels, and deficiencies in education and training of health providers. Specialty societies such as the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) have an opportunity to play an important role through teaching and training. The POSNA Children's Orthopedics in Underserved Regions (COUR) committee has supported the Visiting Scholars Program, which invites surgeons from the developing world to attend a scientific meeting and facilitates the scholar's visit to North American pediatric orthopaedic centers. POSNA members have held global educational courses that support an educational exchange between lecturers and attendees. The COUR web site allows for submission of trip reports that document successes and obstacles experienced by members performing overseas clinical care and teaching. The web site also provides educational resources relevant to providing care in these environments. POSNA collaborates with other societies, such as the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons, to provide education in disaster management. In addition to increasing member involvement, specialty societies have the opportunity for continued data collection from overseas care, application of US registry data to disease processes in the developing world, and further collaboration with one another.
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Dare AJ, Ng-Kamstra JS, Patra J, Fu SH, Rodriguez PS, Hsiao M, Jotkar RM, Thakur JS, Sheth J, Jha P. Deaths from acute abdominal conditions and geographical access to surgical care in India: a nationally representative spatial analysis. Lancet Glob Health 2015; 3:e646-53. [PMID: 26278186 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(15)00079-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2014] [Revised: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few population-based studies quantify mortality from surgical conditions and relate mortality to access to surgical care in low-income and middle-income countries. METHODS We linked deaths from acute abdominal conditions within a nationally representative, population-based mortality survey of 1·1 million households in India to nationally representative facility data. We calculated total and age-standardised death rates for acute abdominal conditions. Using 4064 postal codes, we undertook a spatial clustering analysis to compare geographical access to well-resourced government district hospitals (24 h surgical and anaesthesia services, blood bank, critical care beds, basic laboratory, and radiology) in high-mortality or low-mortality clusters from acute abdominal conditions. FINDINGS 923 (1·1%) of 86,806 study deaths at ages 0-69 years were identified as deaths from acute abdominal conditions, corresponding to 72,000 deaths nationally in 2010 in India. Most deaths occurred at home (71%) and in rural areas (87%). Compared with 567 low-mortality geographical clusters, the 393 high-mortality clusters had a nine times higher age-standardised acute abdominal mortality rate and significantly greater distance to a well-resourced hospital. The odds ratio (OR) of being a high-mortality cluster was 4·4 (99% CI 3·2-6·0) for living 50 km or more from well-resourced district hospitals (rising to an OR of 16·1 [95% CI 7·9-32·8] for >100 km). No such relation was seen for deaths from non-acute surgical conditions (ie, oral, breast, and uterine cancer). INTERPRETATION Improvements in human and physical resources at existing government hospitals are needed to reduce deaths from acute abdominal conditions in India. Full access to well-resourced hospitals within 50 km by all of India's population could have avoided about 50,000 deaths from acute abdominal conditions, and probably more from other emergency surgical conditions. FUNDING Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Canadian Institute of Health Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna J Dare
- Centre for Global Health Research, St Michael's Hospital & University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Joshua S Ng-Kamstra
- Centre for Global Health Research, St Michael's Hospital & University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jayadeep Patra
- Centre for Global Health Research, St Michael's Hospital & University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sze Hang Fu
- Centre for Global Health Research, St Michael's Hospital & University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Peter S Rodriguez
- Centre for Global Health Research, St Michael's Hospital & University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marvin Hsiao
- Centre for Global Health Research, St Michael's Hospital & University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Raju M Jotkar
- National Rural Health Mission, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai, India
| | - J S Thakur
- School of Public Health, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Jay Sheth
- Department of Preventative and Social Medicine, NHL Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Prabhat Jha
- Centre for Global Health Research, St Michael's Hospital & University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Rutaremwa G, Wandera SO, Jhamba T, Akiror E, Kiconco A. Determinants of maternal health services utilization in Uganda. BMC Health Serv Res 2015; 15:271. [PMID: 26184765 PMCID: PMC4504353 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-015-0943-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2014] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Uganda’s poor maternal health indicators have resulted from weak maternal health services delivery, including access to quality family planning, skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric care, and postnatal care for mothers and newborns. This paper investigated the predictors of maternal health services (MHS) utilization characterized as: desirable, moderate and undesirable. Methods We used a sample of 1728 women of reproductive ages (15–49), who delivered a child a year prior to the 2011 UDHS survey. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to analyze the relative contribution of the various predictors of ideal maternal health services package utilization. Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services Utilization guided the selection of covariates in the regression model. Results Women with secondary and higher education were more likely to utilize the desirable maternal health care package (RRR = 4.5; 95 % CI = 1.5-14.0), compared to those who had none (reference = undesirable MHS package). Women who lived in regions outside Kampala, Uganda’s capital, were less likely to utilize the desirable package of maternal health services (Eastern – RRR = 0.2, CI = 0.1-0.5; Western – RRR = 0.3, CI = 0.1-0.8; Central – RRR = 0.3, CI = 0.1-0.8; Northern – RRR = 0.4, CI = 0.2-1.0). Women from the richest households were more likely to utilize the desirable maternal health services package (RRR = 1.9; 95 % CI = 1.0-3.7). Residence in rural areas, being Moslem and being married reduced a woman’s chances of utilizing moderate maternal health care services. Conclusions Utilization of maternal health services varied greatly by demographic and socio-economic characteristics. Women with a secondary and higher education, and those of higher income levels, were more likely to utilize the ideal maternal health services package. Therefore, there is need to formulate policies and design maternal health services programs that target the socially marginalized women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gideon Rutaremwa
- Makerere University, Centre for Population and Applied Statistics (CPAS), Kampala, Uganda. .,United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | | | - Tapiwa Jhamba
- United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Uganda Country Office, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Edith Akiror
- United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Uganda Country Office, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Angela Kiconco
- Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), Kampala, Uganda.
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Cabieses B, Bird P. Glossary of access to health care and related concepts for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs): a critical review of international literature. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH SERVICES 2015; 44:845-61. [PMID: 25626232 DOI: 10.2190/hs.44.4.j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Access to health care is a multidimensional and complex concept. Achieving equitable access to care is an important goal for all countries, but particularly challenging in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Despite wide use of the concept of access, it continues to be defined and measured in very different ways. This glossary is a structured overview of key definitions for concepts related to access to health care, with special focus on the interpretation for LMICs. It aims to help people with interest in health service delivery to draw an overview and provide some pointers for further reading in both conceptual and empirical advances in access to health care in LMICs. This document is structured in five sections. The first introduces a general description of the concept of access to health care and its relevance to LMICs, the second displays the search conducted on access to health care for LMICs and the framework used for presentation of glossary terms, the third describes theoretical models most frequently used in the past when looking at access to health care in LMICs, the fourth is the list of terms, and the final section is a discussion of the most salient aspects of this critical review.
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Community-based assessment of surgical symptoms in a low-income urban population. World J Surg 2014; 39:677-85. [PMID: 25376869 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-014-2850-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global burden of surgical disease has not been well quantified, but is potentially immense. Given the enormity of the problem and the relative paucity of data, definition and monitoring of surgical burden of disease is an essential step in confronting the problem. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of non-acute surgical disease symptoms in a low-income population. METHODS The survey was conducted as part of the Indus Hospital Community Cohort in Karachi, Pakistan. A systematic random sampling design was used to enroll 667 households from March to August 2011. An unvalidated questionnaire intending to measure prevalence of surgical symptoms was administered to 780 participants. RESULTS 761 participants completed the screening questionnaire, with 346 (45%) reporting one or more symptoms requiring surgical assessment (excluding those screened positive for symptoms of osteoarthritis), of which only 8.4% followed up on scheduled appointments at the referral hospital. A total of 126 past surgical procedures were recorded in 120 participants. CONCLUSION There is a high prevalence of symptoms suggestive of surgical diseases in our urban catchment population with relatively convenient access to health facilities including a tertiary care hospital providing free of cost care. The perceived severity of symptoms, and a complex interaction of other factors, may play an important role in understanding health seeking behavior in our population. Developing a context-specific validated tool to correctly identify surgical symptoms disease in the community with appropriate referral for early management is essential to identify and therefore reduce the burden of surgical diseases within the community. This must happen hand in hand with further studies to understand the barriers to seeking timely health care.
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Spiegel DA, Abdullah F, Price RR, Gosselin RA, Bickler SW. World Health Organization Global Initiative for Emergency and Essential Surgical Care: 2011 and beyond. World J Surg 2014; 37:1462-9. [PMID: 23150072 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-012-1831-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David A Spiegel
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 2nd Floor Wood Building, 34th Street and Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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