A distance learning Continuing Medical Education （CME） project based on live interactive presentations and a group participatory model demonstrated that important strides can be made in the quality of CME available ...A distance learning Continuing Medical Education （CME） project based on live interactive presentations and a group participatory model demonstrated that important strides can be made in the quality of CME available to health care professionals in African rural settings. Implementers choose a communication model consistent with the fundamental orality of Kenyan and other sub-Saharan African countries. The project involved four hospitals and one training institution in rural Kenya. The testing of learners and focus group discussions with learners, facilitators and presenters indicated that the project＇s methodologies, that strove to be culturally and work place friendly, contributed to gains in knowledge, competencies including case management, the continuity of patient care, team work, staff morale and other issues of expressed importance to the hospital healthcare work force and hospital administrators. The learning system, known as Advancing Continuing Medical Education through Information Technology （ACME-IT）, was implemented by the Kenyan Ministry of Medical Services, EC Associates and the US-funded Aphia2 Western initiative implemented by PATH. The findings of this pilot suggests that the ACME-IT methodology that set up learning centers at the participating institutions is a promising viable alternative to the traditional and relatively expensive workshop training that characterizes much of CME in lower and middle income countries.展开更多
Background:Intestinal schistosomiasis due to Schistosoma mansoni was first reported in Oman in 1979.We describe the trend in parasitological and serological prevalence of human infection with S.mansoni in the endemic ...Background:Intestinal schistosomiasis due to Schistosoma mansoni was first reported in Oman in 1979.We describe the trend in parasitological and serological prevalence of human infection with S.mansoni in the endemic area over the period 1982–2014,and the compliance of data generated by the national monitoring and evaluation system with schistosomiasis elimination criteria set by the Ministry of Health of Oman.Methods:Parasitological and serological assessments were carried out on population(mainly children)living in the area at risk for schistosomiasis in Dhofar,the country’s only endemic Governorate,for a period of over 30 years.Kato-Katz thick smear and Indirect Haemagglutination Assay were the techniques employed.Results:Data indicate a progressive decline in prevalence of S.mansoni throughout the 1980s and the 1990s,a recrudescence in the early 2000s,and a more marked decrease following the implementation of six rounds of mass treatment with praziquantel from 2007 to 2013.Latest parasitological prevalence(2011)was 0%,while latest serological prevalence(2014)was 0.11%.Conclusion:Transmission of schistosomiasis has reached very low levels in Oman.Elimination criteria established by the Ministry of Health of Oman(parasitological prevalence≤1%and serological prevalence≤5%)have been met since 2008.Further investigations are required to assess whether interruption of transmission has been achieved in some or all foci,in view of the establishment of a formal verification process under the auspices of WHO.展开更多
Maternal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy may impact fetal development via vertical transmission,complications of coronavirus disease...Maternal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy may impact fetal development via vertical transmission,complications of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),or placental injury.However,potential associations between prenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection and fetal loss are not well understood.This case series of thirteen second and third trimester fetal losses reported by local public health departments to California’s state public health surveillance included maternal clinical and demographic characteristics as well as placental pathology,fetal autopsy reports,and coroner report.There was no evidence that maternal COVID-19 disease severity,placental injury,or SARS-CoV-2 vertical transmission contributed to pregnancy loss.However,this case series is a limited sample;more research is needed to identify factors of prenatal SARS-CoV-2 that may contribute to fetal death in the second and third trimesters.展开更多
文摘A distance learning Continuing Medical Education （CME） project based on live interactive presentations and a group participatory model demonstrated that important strides can be made in the quality of CME available to health care professionals in African rural settings. Implementers choose a communication model consistent with the fundamental orality of Kenyan and other sub-Saharan African countries. The project involved four hospitals and one training institution in rural Kenya. The testing of learners and focus group discussions with learners, facilitators and presenters indicated that the project＇s methodologies, that strove to be culturally and work place friendly, contributed to gains in knowledge, competencies including case management, the continuity of patient care, team work, staff morale and other issues of expressed importance to the hospital healthcare work force and hospital administrators. The learning system, known as Advancing Continuing Medical Education through Information Technology （ACME-IT）, was implemented by the Kenyan Ministry of Medical Services, EC Associates and the US-funded Aphia2 Western initiative implemented by PATH. The findings of this pilot suggests that the ACME-IT methodology that set up learning centers at the participating institutions is a promising viable alternative to the traditional and relatively expensive workshop training that characterizes much of CME in lower and middle income countries.
基金Field activities reported in this article were implemented by the Ministry of Health of Oman over a period of 33 years,through national budget allocations.
文摘Background:Intestinal schistosomiasis due to Schistosoma mansoni was first reported in Oman in 1979.We describe the trend in parasitological and serological prevalence of human infection with S.mansoni in the endemic area over the period 1982–2014,and the compliance of data generated by the national monitoring and evaluation system with schistosomiasis elimination criteria set by the Ministry of Health of Oman.Methods:Parasitological and serological assessments were carried out on population(mainly children)living in the area at risk for schistosomiasis in Dhofar,the country’s only endemic Governorate,for a period of over 30 years.Kato-Katz thick smear and Indirect Haemagglutination Assay were the techniques employed.Results:Data indicate a progressive decline in prevalence of S.mansoni throughout the 1980s and the 1990s,a recrudescence in the early 2000s,and a more marked decrease following the implementation of six rounds of mass treatment with praziquantel from 2007 to 2013.Latest parasitological prevalence(2011)was 0%,while latest serological prevalence(2014)was 0.11%.Conclusion:Transmission of schistosomiasis has reached very low levels in Oman.Elimination criteria established by the Ministry of Health of Oman(parasitological prevalence≤1%and serological prevalence≤5%)have been met since 2008.Further investigations are required to assess whether interruption of transmission has been achieved in some or all foci,in view of the establishment of a formal verification process under the auspices of WHO.
基金supported with funding through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies Network(SET-NET)program(ELC CK19-1904:Project W).
文摘Maternal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy may impact fetal development via vertical transmission,complications of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),or placental injury.However,potential associations between prenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection and fetal loss are not well understood.This case series of thirteen second and third trimester fetal losses reported by local public health departments to California’s state public health surveillance included maternal clinical and demographic characteristics as well as placental pathology,fetal autopsy reports,and coroner report.There was no evidence that maternal COVID-19 disease severity,placental injury,or SARS-CoV-2 vertical transmission contributed to pregnancy loss.However,this case series is a limited sample;more research is needed to identify factors of prenatal SARS-CoV-2 that may contribute to fetal death in the second and third trimesters.
