World Health Organization

About: World Health Organization is a government organization based out in Islamabad, Pakistan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Public health. The organization has 13330 authors who have published 22232 publications receiving 1322023 citations. The organization is also known as: World Health Organisation & WHO.

Antimicrobial resistance in Africa: a systematic review

Abstract: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is widely acknowledged as a global problem, yet in many parts of the world its magnitude is still not well understood. This review, using a public health focused approach, aimed to understand and describe the current status of AMR in Africa in relation to common causes of infections and drugs recommended in WHO treatment guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE and other relevant databases were searched for recent articles (2013–2016) in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Article retrieval and screening were done using a structured search string and strict inclusion/exclusion criteria. Median and interquartile ranges of percent resistance were calculated for each antibiotic-bacterium combination. AMR data was not available for 42.6% of the countries in the African continent. A total of 144 articles were included in the final analysis. 13 Gram negative and 5 Gram positive bacteria were tested against 37 different antibiotics. Penicillin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae was reported in 14/144studies (median resistance (MR): 26.7%). Further 18/53 (34.0%) of Haemophilus influenza isolates were resistant to amoxicillin. MR of Escherichia coli to amoxicillin, trimethoprim and gentamicin was 88.1%, 80.7% and 29.8% respectively. Ciprofloxacin resistance in Salmonella Typhi was rare. No documented ceftriaxone resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae was reported, while the MR for quinolone was 37.5%. Carbapenem resistance was common in Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa but uncommon in Enterobacteriaceae. Our review highlights three important findings. First, recent AMR data is not available for more than 40% of the countries. Second, the level of resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics was significant. Third, the quality of microbiological data is of serious concern. Our findings underline that to conserve our current arsenal of antibiotics it is imperative to address the gaps in AMR diagnostic standardization and reporting and use available information to optimize treatment guidelines.

The International Pilot Study of Schizophrenia: five-year follow-up findings.

Abstract: A five-year follow-up of the patients initially included in the International Pilot Study of Schizophrenia was conducted in eight of the nine centres. Adequate information was obtained for 807 patients, representing 76% of the initial cohort. Clinical and social outcomes were significantly better for patients in Agra and Ibadan than for those in the centres in developed countries. In Cali, only social outcome was significantly better.

Attitudes and Acceptability on HIV Self-testing Among Key Populations: A Literature Review

Abstract: HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a potential strategy to overcome disparities in access to and uptake of HIV testing, particularly among key populations (KP). A literature review was conducted on the acceptability, values and preferences among KP. Data was analyzed by country income World Bank classification, type of specimen collection, level of support offered and other qualitative aspects. Most studies identified were from high-income countries and among men who have sex with men (MSM) who found HIVST to be acceptable. In general, MSM were interested in HIVST because of its convenient and private nature. However, they had concerns about the lack of counseling, possible user error and accuracy. Data on the values and preferences of other KP groups regarding HIVST is limited. This should be a research priority, as HIVST is likely to become more widely available, including in resource-limited settings.

Position in the second stage of labour for women without epidural anaesthesia

Abstract: Background For centuries, there has been controversy around whether being upright (sitting, birthing stools, chairs, squatting, kneeling) or lying down (lateral (Sim's) position, semi-recumbent, lithotomy position, Trendelenburg's position) have advantages for women giving birth to their babies. This is an update of a review previously published in 2012, 2004 and 1999. Objectives To determine the possible benefits and risks of the use of different birth positions during the second stage of labour without epidural anaesthesia, on maternal, fetal, neonatal and caregiver outcomes. Search methods We searched Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth's Trials Register (30 November 2016) and reference lists of retrieved studies. Selection criteria Randomised, quasi-randomised or cluster-randomised controlled trials of any upright position assumed by pregnant women during the second stage of labour compared with supine or lithotomy positions. Secondary comparisons include comparison of different upright positions and the supine position. Trials in abstract form were included. Data collection and analysis Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and assessed trial quality. At least two review authors extracted the data. Data were checked for accuracy. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Main results Results should be interpreted with caution because risk of bias of the included trials was variable. We included eleven new trials for this update; there are now 32 included studies, and one trial is ongoing. Thirty trials involving 9015 women contributed to the analysis. Comparisons include any upright position, birth or squat stool, birth cushion, and birth chair versus supine positions. In all women studied (primigravid and multigravid), when compared with supine positions, the upright position was associated with a reduction in duration of second stage in the upright group (MD -6.16 minutes, 95% CI -9.74 to -2.59 minutes; 19 trials; 5811 women; P = 0.0007; random-effects; I² = 91%; very low-quality evidence); however, this result should be interpreted with caution due to large differences in size and direction of effect in individual studies. Upright positions were also associated with no clear difference in the rates of caesarean section (RR 1.22, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.81; 16 trials; 5439 women; low-quality evidence), a reduction in assisted deliveries (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.86; 21 trials; 6481 women; moderate-quality evidence), a reduction in episiotomies (average RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.92; 17 trials; 6148 women; random-effects; I² = 88%), a possible increase in second degree perineal tears (RR 1.20, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.44; 18 trials; 6715 women; I² = 43%; low-quality evidence), no clear difference in the number of third or fourth degree perineal tears (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.32 to 1.65; 6 trials; 1840 women; very low-quality evidence), increased estimated blood loss greater than 500 mL (RR 1.48, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.98; 15 trials; 5615 women; I² = 33%; moderate-quality evidence), fewer abnormal fetal heart rate patterns (RR 0.46, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.93; 2 trials; 617 women), no clear difference in the number of babies admitted to neonatal intensive care (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.51 to 1.21; 4 trials; 2565 infants; low-quality evidence). On sensitivity analysis excluding trials with high risk of bias, these findings were unchanged except that there was no longer a clear difference in duration of second stage of labour (MD -4.34, 95% CI -9.00 to 0.32; 21 trials; 2499 women; I² = 85%). The main reasons for downgrading of GRADE assessment was that several studies had design limitations (inadequate randomisation and allocation concealment) with high heterogeneity and wide CIs. Authors' conclusions The findings of this review suggest several possible benefits for upright posture in women without epidural anaesthesia, such as a very small reduction in the duration of second stage of labour (mainly from the primigravid group), reduction in episiotomy rates and assisted deliveries. However, there is an increased risk blood loss greater than 500 mL and there may be an increased risk of second degree tears, though we cannot be certain of this. In view of the variable risk of bias of the trials reviewed, further trials using well-designed protocols are needed to ascertain the true benefits and risks of various birth positions.

Repurposed antiviral drugs for COVID-19: interim WHO solidarity trial results (Preprint)

Abstract: Hongchao Pan (University of Oxford. Nuffield Department of Population Health. Medical Research Council Population Health Research Unit. Oxford, United Kingdom); Richard Peto (University of Oxford. Nuffield Department of Population Health. Medical Research Council Population Health Research Unit. Oxford, United Kingdom); Ana-Maria Henao-Restrepo (World Health Organization. Geneva, Switzerland); Marie-Pierre Preziosi (World Health Organization. Geneva, Switzerland); Vasee Sathiyamoorthy (World Health Organization. Geneva, Switzerland); Quarraisha Abdool Karim (Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa. Durban, South Africa); Marissa M. Alejandria (University of the Philippines. National Institutes of Health. Institute of National Epidemiology. Manila, Philippines); Cesar Hernandez Garcia (Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices. Madrid, Spain / Hospital Clinico San Carlos. Madrid, Spain); Marie-Paule Kieny (Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale. Paris, France); Reza Malekzadeh (Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Digestive Disease Research Institute. Tehran, Iran); Srinivas Murthy (University of British Columbia. Vancouver, Canada); K. Srinath Reddy (Public Health Foundation of India. New Delhi, India); Mirta Roses Periago (National Academy of Sciences of Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires, Argentina); Pierre Abi Hanna (Rafic Hariri University Hospital. Beirut, Lebanon); Florence Ader (Hospices Civils de Lyon. Lyon, France); Abdullah M. Al-Bader (Ministry of Health. Kuwait City, Kuwait); Almonther Alhasawi (Infectious Diseases Hospital. Kuwait City, Kuwait); Emma Allum (University of Bristol. Bristol, United Kingdom); Athari Alotaibi (Ministry for Preventive Health. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia); Carlos A. Alvarez-Moreno (Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Bogota, Colombia / Clinica Colsanitas. Bogota, Colombia); Sheila Appadoo (University of Bern. Bern, Switzerland); Abdullah Asiri (Ministry for Preventive Health. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia); Pal Aukrust (Oslo University Hospital. Oslo, Norway); Andreas Barratt-Due (Oslo University Hospital. Oslo, Norway); Samir Bellani (University of Bristol. Bristol, United Kingdom); Mattia Branca (University of Bern. Bern, Switzerland); Heike B.C. Cappel-Porter (University of Bristol. Bristol, United Kingdom); Nery Cerrato (Secretaria de Salud de Honduras. Tegucigalpa, Honduras); Ting S. Chow (Penang Hospital. Penang, Malaysia); Najada Como (University Hospital Center "Mother Teresa". Tirana, Albania); Joe Eustace (University College Cork. HRB Clinical Research Facility. Cork, Ireland); Patricia J. Garcia (Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. Lima, Peru); Sheela Godbole (Indian Council of Medical Research. New Delhi, India / National AIDS Research Institute. Pune, Maharashtra, India); Eduardo Gotuzzo (Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. Lima, Peru); Laimonas Griskevicius (Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos. Vilnius, Lithuania); Rasha Hamra (Ministry of Public Health. Beirut, Lebanon); Mariam Hassan (Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre. Lahore, Pakistan); Mohamed Hassany (National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute. Cairo, Egypt); David Hutton (University of Bristol. Bristol, United Kingdom); Irmansyah Irmansyah (National Institute of Health Research and Development. Jakarta, Indonesia); Ligita Jancoriene (Vilnius University. Faculty of Medicine. Institute of Clinical Medicine. Vilnius, Lithuania); Jana Kirwan (University of Bristol. Bristol, United Kingdom); Suresh Kumar (Sungai Buloh Hospital. Selangor, Malaysia / Jalan Hospital. Selangor, Malaysia); Peter Lennon (Department of Health and Children. Dublin, Ireland); Gustavo Lopardo (Fundacion del Centro de Estudios Infectologicos. Buenos Aires, Argentina); Patrick Lydon (World Health Organization. Geneva, Switzerland); Nicola Magrini (Italian Medicines Agency. Rome, Italy); Teresa Maguire (Department of Health and Children. Dublin, Ireland); Suzana Manevska (Ministry of Health. Skopje, North Macedonia); Oriol Manuel (Lausanne University Hospital. Lausanne, Switzerland); Sibylle McGinty (University of Bern. Bern, Switzerland); Marco T. Medina (Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras. Tegucigalpa, Honduras); Maria L. Mesa Rubio (Ministry of Health. Bogota, Colombia); Maria C. Miranda-Montoya (World Health Organization. Geneva, Switzerland); Jeremy Nel (University of the Witwatersrand. Johannesburg, South Africa); Estevao Portela Nunes (Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil); Markus Perola (National Institute for Health and Welfare of Finland. Helsinki, Finland / University of Finland. Helsinki, Finland); Antonio Portoles (Universidade Complutense de Madrid. Madrid, Spain / Spanish Clinical Research Network. Madrid, Spain / Hospital Clinico San Carlos. Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria San Carlos. Madrid, Spain); Menaldi R. Rasmin (Rumah Sakit Umum Pusat Persahabatan. Jakarta, Indonesia); Aun Raza (Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre. Lahore, Pakistan); Helen Rees (Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute. Johannesburg, South Africa); Paula P. S. Reges (Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil); Chris A. Rogers (University of Bristol. Bristol, United Kingdom); Kolawole Salami (World Health Organization. Geneva, Switzerland); Marina I. Salvadori (Public Health Agency of Canada. Ottawa, Canada); Narvina Sinani (National Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices. Tirana, Albania); Jonathan A. C. Sterne (University of Bristol. Bristol, United Kingdom); Milena Stevanovikj (University Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Febrile Conditions. Skopje, North Macedonia); Evelina Tacconelli (University of Verona. Verona, Italy); Kari A. O. Tikkinen (Helsinki University Hospital. Helsinki, Finland / South Karelian Central Hospital. Lappeenranta, Finland); Sven Trelle (University of Bern. Bern, Switzerland); Hala Zaid (Ministry of Health and Population. Cairo, Egypt); John-Arne Rottingen (Research Council of Norway. Oslo, Norway); Soumya Swaminathan (World Health Organization. Geneva, Switzerland).