Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH
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Trop. Med. Int. Health · Apr 2012
Evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of the Haemoglobin Colour Scale to detect anaemia in young children attending primary healthcare clinics in Zanzibar.
This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of Haemoglobin Colour Scale (HCS), compared with clinical diagnosis, to detect anaemia and severe anaemia in preschool-age children attending primary healthcare clinics in rural Zanzibar. ⋯ Haemoglobin Colour Scale does not improve the capacity of HCWs to diagnose anaemia in this population. Accuracy is limited by considerable variability in the performances of test operators. However, optimizing the training protocol for those using the test may improve performance.
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Trop. Med. Int. Health · Apr 2012
Comparative StudyIs HINARI appropriate for medical students in the developing world?
The Health InterNetwork Access to Research Initiative (HINARI), which arose in response to medical literature needs in developing countries, gives online access to scientific information to a variety of institutions throughout the world. This is a great resource; however, little research has been performed on the effectiveness and usefulness of HINARI, specifically to medical schools. ⋯ This literature gap could be closed by additional medical textbooks being made available from contributing publishers. An increase of only 14% in HINARI e-book resources would provide material for the entire medical school curriculum.
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Trop. Med. Int. Health · Apr 2012
Public health services, an essential determinant of health during crisis. Lessons from Cuba, 1989-2000.
During the 1990s, Cuba was able to overcome a severe crisis, almost without negative health impacts. This national retrospective study covering the years 1989-2000 analyses the country's strategy through essential social, demographic, health process and health outcome indicators. Gross domestic product (GDP) diminished by 34.76% between 1989 and 1993. ⋯ Life expectancy has a strong positive correlation with health expenses, the number of nursing personnel and the number of medical contacts per inhabitant. The Cuban strategy effectively resolved health risks during the crisis. In times of serious socio-economic constraints, a well conceptualized public health policy can play an important role in maintaining the overall well-being of a population.