Project description:Education is a key dimension of well-being and a crucial indicator of development1-4. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) prioritize progress in education, with a new focus on inequality5-7. Here we model the within-country distribution of years of schooling, and use this model to explore educational inequality since 1970 and to forecast progress towards the education-related 2030 SDG targets. We show that although the world is largely on track to achieve near-universal primary education by 2030, substantial challenges remain in the completion rates for secondary and tertiary education. Globally, the gender gap in schooling had nearly closed by 2018 but gender disparities remained acute in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, and North Africa and the Middle East. It is predicted that, by 2030, females will have achieved significantly higher educational attainment than males in 18 countries. Inequality in education reached a peak globally in 2017 and is projected to decrease steadily up to 2030. The distributions and inequality metrics presented here represent a framework that can be used to track the progress of each country towards the SDG targets and the level of inequality over time. Reducing educational inequality is one way to promote a fairer distribution of human capital and the development of more equitable human societies.
Project description:A number of studies have assessed the effectiveness of antenatal care (ANC) on uptake of institutional delivery care. However, none address the issue of association between the different components of ANC i.e. ANC component which is independent of health care delivery systems (timing and number of ANC visits), ANC components which depends on health care delivery systems (specific ANC procedures that women receive) with institutional delivery.Data for the study has been taken from the DHS conducted in the six selected South and South-East Asian countries during 1998-2013. The two dimensions of ANC are the key predictors. The outcome variable is a binary variable, where zero '0' denotes a home delivery and one '1' denotes an institutional delivery. In addition to probit estimation biprobit estimation method has been used to correct for the possible endogeneity.Analysis suggests that both the factors show a positive effect on institutional delivery but the level of associations are different. Probit estimation for each country suggests that the association is higher for the factor- which depends on health care delivery systems than the other factor. After correction of endogeneity through biprobit estimation we get the true associations for both the dimensions and it confirms that the ANC components which depends on health care delivery systems is more associated with the utilization of institutional delivery than the other factor.The content of care may fulfill the women's need and expectations while visiting for ANC care. The study suggests that the quality of antenatal care must be improved which depends on health care delivery systems to motivates the women to utilize the institutional delivery.
Project description:BackgroundNeonatal disorders represent a significant public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where they account for 79% of global neonatal mortality. South Asia, comprising countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, bears a disproportionately high burden, contributing to 38% of the world's neonatal deaths. Despite notable progress, South Asia remains off track in meeting the Sustainable development goals (SDG). This study aims to assess the current burden, trends in neonatal disorders, and forecast mortality rates across South Asian countries, providing insights to guide investment priorities and improve neonatal outcomes.MethodsData for this study were sourced from the Global burden of disease (GBD) 2021 study, which utilizes a Bayesian meta-regression model to estimate mortality, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Spatial maps depicting the age-standardized prevalence rate and age-standardized mortality rate for neonatal disorders in South Asia were generated using QGIS software. Mortality forecasts for the period 2022-2031, attributed to various neonatal disorders, were produced employing the Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average model in R software. Additionally, an analysis of overall neonatal mortality trends from 1980 to 2021 was conducted, supplemented by a heat map that compares DALYs attributable to various neonatal disorders across South Asian countries in 2021.ResultsBetween 1980 and 2021, South Asia experienced a substantial decline in neonatal mortality rates, with India and Bangladesh leading the progress. Mortality decreased by 40%, while DALYs fell by 35%, despite a 15% increase in the prevalence. The prevalence of neonatal encephalopathy due to birth asphyxia and trauma surged by 355%, yet its mortality dropped by 31%. Pakistan recorded the highest neonatal mortality and disease burden, particularly for hemolytic disease and other neonatal jaundice and neonatal encephalopathy due to birth asphyxia and trauma. In India and Bangladesh, neonatal preterm birth and neonatal sepsis and other neonatal infections contributed most to mortality. Neonatal encephalopathy due to birth asphyxia and trauma accounted for the highest DALYs. Forecasts predict continued reductions in neonatal mortality across South Asia, except in Pakistan, where persistently high rates are expected till 2031.ConclusionFor South Asian countries to meet the SDG target for neonatal mortality by 2030, intensified and continuous efforts are required. These efforts should focus on identifying high-risk pregnancies and improving the quality of care during childbirth to address the root causes and reduce preventable neonatal deaths.
Project description:BackgroundSouth Asia continues to host the triple burden of child malnutrition with high levels of child undernutrition, hidden hunger (micronutrient deficiencies) and childhood overweight/obesity. To combat malnutrition, the international community along with the National governments have launched initiatives to track the country's progress towards achieving the Global Nutrition targets by 2025. This review captures the country-specific efforts of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive sectoral programs and policies towards achieving these targets for eight South Asian countries.MethodsA systematic internet search was undertaken to search relevant policies and programs from Government websites and twelve International Organisations working in the region. The authors developed a template to map the policies against the following criteria: (i) enabling supportive environment; (ii) Initiatives targeted at nutrition-specific interventions; and (iii) Initiatives targeted at nutrition-specific interventions that impact child malnutrition. A narrative descriptive approach was used to present findings.ResultsAll eight countries had relevant policies and programs to address child malnutrition and macronutrient deficiencies with targets for significant reductions in stunting and improved breastfeeding. However, despite the outlined there are major challenges of implementation, monitoring, evaluation and quality that persist with increased dependency on international donors and organisations for funding and/or implementation of nutrition plans.ConclusionThere is a need to contextualise efforts designated to donors and governments to improve the tracking of efforts that impact nutrition.
Project description:In 2016, the Immunization Technical Advisory Group of the South-East Asia Region (SEAR) endorsed a regional goal to achieve ≤1% prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among 5-year-old children by 2020. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is largely preventable with a birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB-BD) followed by two to three additional doses. We reviewed the progress towards hepatitis B control through vaccination in SEAR during 1992-2015. We summarized hepatitis B vaccination data and reviewed the literature to determine the prevalence of chronic HBV infection pre- and post-vaccine introduction. We used a mathematical model to determine post-vaccine prevalence of HBsAg among 5 year olds in countries lacking national serosurvey data and estimated the impact of vaccination on disease burden. Regional coverage with three doses of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB3) increased from 56% in 2011 to 87% in 2015. By 2016, 7 of 11 countries had introduced universal HepB-BD. Regional HepB-BD coverage increased from 9% in 2011 to 34% in 2015. In 2015, estimated HBsAg among 5 year olds was 1.1% with variability among countries. Myanmar (3.8%), Timor-Leste (2.7%), Indonesia (1.8%), and India (1%) had the highest prevalence of HBsAg. During 1992-2015, vaccination prevented approximately 16 million chronic HBV infections and 2.6 million related deaths. In 2015, around 197,640 perinatal HBV infections occurred in SEAR with majority occurring in India (62%), Bangladesh (24%), and Myanmar (8%). Myanmar had the highest rate of perinatal chronic HBV infections at 16 per 1000 live births. Despite significant progress in the control of HBV, SEAR needs to secure political commitment for elimination and consider additional strategies, such as promoting health facility births, universal birth dose administration, developing strong coordination between health sectors, and using alternative vaccine delivery methods, to improve HepB-BD coverage and subsequently achieve HBV control and elimination.
Project description:BackgroundGiven the rapidly growing burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Asia, this study forecasts the CVD burden and associated risk factors in Asia from 2025 to 2050.MethodsData from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study was used to construct regression models predicting prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributed to CVD and risk factors in Asia in the coming decades.FindingsBetween 2025 and 2050, crude cardiovascular mortality is expected to rise 91.2% despite a 23.0% decrease in the age-standardised cardiovascular mortality rate (ASMR). Ischaemic heart disease (115 deaths per 100,000 population) and stroke (63 deaths per 100,000 population) will remain leading drivers of ASMR in 2050. Central Asia will have the highest ASMR (676 deaths per 100,000 population), more than three-fold that of Asia overall (186 deaths per 100,000 population), while high-income Asia sub-regions will incur an ASMR of 22 deaths per 100,000 in 2050. High systolic blood pressure will contribute the highest ASMR throughout Asia (105 deaths per 100,000 population), except in Central Asia where high fasting plasma glucose will dominate (546 deaths per 100,000 population).InterpretationThis forecast forewarns an almost doubling in crude cardiovascular mortality by 2050 in Asia, with marked heterogeneity across sub-regions. Atherosclerotic diseases will continue to dominate, while high systolic blood pressure will be the leading risk factor.FundingThis was supported by the NUHS Seed Fund (NUHSRO/2022/058/RO5+6/Seed-Mar/03), National Medical Research Council Research Training Fellowship (MH 095:003/008-303), National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine's Junior Academic Fellowship Scheme, NUHS Clinician Scientist Program (NCSP2.0/2024/NUHS/NCWS) and the CArdiovascular DiseasE National Collaborative Enterprise (CADENCE) National Clinical Translational Program (MOH-001277-01).
Project description:BackgroundThe provision of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities and services for schools is vital to students' health, development, and educational performance. However, school WASH coverage in developing countries remains low. This study aimed to assess the adequacy of WASH services in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.MethodsA school-based quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2020 in 98 schools. A multistage sampling technique was used to select schools included in the study. Data were collected using observational checklists and pretested interviewer-administered questionnaires. We entered the data into EPI Info version 7.2.2.6 and analyzed using SPSS 22.0. Logistic regression was used to examine the associated factors with school WASH services.ResultsThe basic school water, sanitation, and hygiene services were found to be 65.3%, 31.6%, and 36.7%, respectively. The facility-to-student ratio was 1:48 for drinking water point, 1:59 for toilet stance, and 1:147 for handwashing point. The analysis of facilities access by sex revealed that the toilet to student ratio was 1:68 for females and 1:49 for males, whereas the handwashing point-to-student ratio was 1:179 for females and 1:114 for males, indicating disparities in facilities access by sex. The non-functionality rates for drinking water, toilets, and handwashing facilities were 22.5%, 8%, and 19.5%, respectively. School ownership was significantly associated with the availability of basic water services [COR = 4.6, 95% CI: 1.466-14.426] and basic sanitation services [COR = 15, 95% CI: 3.27-68.28]. Moreover, the results demonstrate training on WASH [COR = 5, 95% CI: 1.087-23.018] and teaching programs on WASH [COR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.056-0.810] were significantly associated with basic hygiene services.ConclusionsThe provision of WASH facilities and services in schools was inadequate and not on track to meet the targets of SDG 6. Training, WASH education program, and stakeholder commitment and cooperation at all levels are required to achieve the goal.
Project description:The information that people need to protect and manage their own health and the health of those for whom they are responsible is a fundamental element of an effective people-centred healthcare system. Achieving universal health coverage (UHC) requires universal access to essential health information. While it was recently recognised by the World Medical Association, universal access to essential health information is not yet reflected in official monitoring of progress on UHC for the sustainable development goals (SDGs). In this paper, we outline key features that characterise universal access to essential health information and indicate how it is increasingly achievable. We highlight the growing evidence of the impact of wider access to practical and actionable information on health for the public, carers and frontline health workers and provide illustrative, evidence-based, examples of how increasing access to essential health information can accelerate the achievement of UHC and other health targets of the SDGs. The paper ends with an assessment of reasons why universal access to essential health information has not yet been achieved, and an associated call to action to key stakeholders-such as governments, multilaterals, funding bodies, policy-makers, health professionals and knowledge intermediaries-to explicitly recognise the foundational role of universal access to essential health information for achieving UHC and the rest of the health SDGs, to include it in the relevant SDG target and associated monitoring indicators, and to incorporate actions in their own policies and programmes to promote and enable this access.
Project description:Heart failure (HF) is an emerging public health problem due to increasing hospitalisations, readmissions and direct healthcare costs. Transitional care (TC) aims to improve multidisciplinary care coordination in HF and provides a streamlined strategy to ensure discharge success. This article reviews the different TC models and interventions in HF, and compares their strengths, weaknesses and efficacies. Notably, a nurse-led TC model under the direct administration of a dedicated multidisciplinary team appears to be the superior model of care. The emerging use of remote technology to track patient progress adds value, as human resources are scarce. Several knowledge gaps are highlighted in this article. The authors share their local institutional TC experience and discuss its early impact on HF care.