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.

Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors Are Associated with Worldwide Patterns of Stunting and Wasting of Children

Abstract: We estimated the variability among nations in the prevalence of stunting and wasting, evaluated which national factors are associated with stunting and wasting and examined the relationship of stunting with wasting. The World Health Organization Global Database on Child Growth, a comprehensive conceptual model and a database of national factors were used with variance components and regression analyses. There was substantial variability among nations and among provinces within nations. Most national variability for stunting (76%) and wasting (66%) was explained by national factors and geographic region. Higher energy availability, female literacy and gross product were the most important factors associated with lower prevalence of stunting. The association of health expenditures and stunting differed by region. Higher immunization rate and, for Asia only, energy availability were the most important factors associated with lower prevalence of wasting. Regional differences in the relationship between stunting and wasting were accounted for by national factors. Some factors associated with stunting and wasting differ at the national level. Child malnutrition within a household is greatly influenced by issues at national and provincial levels, and intervention should be considered at all three levels.

Intervention research in rational use of drugs: a review.

Abstract: Many studies have been done to document drug use patterns, and indicate that overprescribing, multi-drug prescribing, misuse of drugs, use of unnecessary expensive drugs and overuse of antibiotics and injections are the most common problems of irrational drug use by prescribers as well as consumers. Improving drug use would have important financial and public health benefits. Many efforts have been undertaken to improve drug use, but few evaluations have been done in this field. This article provides an overview of 50 intervention studies to improve drug use in developing countries. It highlights what type of interventions exist and what is known about their impact. It reveals that commonly used interventions, such as an essential drug list and standard treatment guidelines, have rarely been systematically evaluated so far. The majority of intervention studies are focused on prescribers in a public health setting, while irrational use of drugs is also widespread in the private sector. Furthermore, the magnitude of inappropriate drug use at community level is often overlooked and few interventions address drug use from a consumer's perspective. More research on different types of intervention strategies in various health care settings is needed to draw conclusions on the effectiveness of a specific intervention strategy. Also more research is needed on socio-cultural factors influencing the impact of drug use interventions, particularly from a user perspective. To enhance evaluative research, more technical support will be needed for researchers in developing countries. The design of available studies from developing countries is generally weak, only six of the 50 studies included in this overview were randomized controlled studies. In order to provide technical support and coordination of future intervention research the establishment of an international resource centre for drug use intervention research is recommended.

Violence against women during covid-19 pandemic restrictions.

Abstract: Protections for women and girls must be built into response plans

Treatment gap for anxiety disorders is global: Results of the World Mental Health Surveys in 21 countries

Abstract: 1 Background: Anxiety disorders are a major cause of burden of disease. Treatment gaps have been described, but a worldwide evaluation is lacking. We estimated, among individuals with a 12‐month DSM‐IV (where DSM is Diagnostic Statistical Manual) anxiety disorder in 21 countries, the proportion who (i) perceived a need for treatment; (ii) received any treatment; and (iii) received possibly adequate treatment. 2 Methods: Data from 23 community surveys in 21 countries of the World Mental Health (WMH) surveys. DSM‐IV mental disorders were assessed (WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview, CIDI 3.0). DSM‐IV included posttraumatic stress disorder among anxiety disorders, while it is not considered so in the DSM‐5. We asked if, in the previous 12 months, respondents felt they needed professional treatment and if they obtained professional treatment (specialized/general medical, complementary alternative medical, or nonmedical professional) for “problems with emotions, nerves, mental health, or use of alcohol or drugs.” Possibly adequate treatment was defined as receiving pharmacotherapy (1+ months of medication and 4+ visits to a medical doctor) or psychotherapy, complementary alternative medicine or nonmedical care (8+ visits). 3 Results: Of 51,547 respondents (response = 71.3%), 9.8% had a 12‐month DSM‐IV anxiety disorder, 27.6% of whom received any treatment, and only 9.8% received possibly adequate treatment. Of those with 12‐month anxiety only 41.3% perceived a need for care. Lower treatment levels were found for lower income countries. 4 Conclusions: Low levels of service use and a high proportion of those receiving services not meeting adequacy standards for anxiety disorders exist worldwide. Results suggest the need for improving recognition of anxiety disorders and the quality of treatment.