Health
Health
Improving the efficiency, effectiveness, equity and responsiveness of supply chains and procurement processes for pharmaceuticals, vaccines and other health products, which make up a large share of total health expenditure in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), has important implications for health system performance and population health. Decentralised governance of health services provides greater autonomy in… Read more
Some individual studies noted factors for success and what did not work well. However, there was not enough evidence to get a synthesis on barriers and enablers to sport for development in general. Often programmes in the literature were described but rarely evaluated. Where they were evaluated, specific features contributing to success or otherwise were… Read more
This literature review is the first section of a two part literature review in to population dynamics focussing on a review of key global information sources. Three sources of centrally generated projections exist: The Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat, the World Bank and the Wittgenstein… Read more
Research looking at the use of smartphones to monitor doctor attendance in Pakistan found many other factors affecting attendance other than the monitoring (Callen et al 2013). Health systems inspectors uploaded results to an aggregating website. Smartphone monitoring doubled inspection rates and relatively few phones were used to cover a large population. Because politicians provide… Read more
This helpdesk report provides an overview of some of the most relevant evidence on rights-based approaches to increasing access to SRHR including how they have been measured and enhanced access where information is available. Section 2 of this report explores the impact of policy changes on accessing rights, and the impact that champions of SRHR within… Read more
New innovations and technology, including mobiles and internet, have enormous potential for increasing access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). They can be particularly helpful in reaching hard to access groups, including remote or stigmatised populations, due to the rapid spread of telecommunications infrastructure, mobile phones and broadband usage in low and middle… Read more
A WHO systematic review looking at the evidence on sexual and reproductive health among adolescents in developing countries finds quality evidence to be lacking in many areas (WHO, 2012). The report includes the following: No evidence was found on the efforts to influence laws and policies though this is recognised as important for increasing access…. Read more
This helpdesk response aimed to discover what the recommended proportion of an annual national health budget in sub-Saharan Africa is for the maintenance of primary health facilities. From both a rapid review of the evidence available and from correspondence with experts in public health financing, it is clear that no such recommendation exists. In light… Read more
The purpose of the review was to provide a summary of possible indicators which might be used to measure the performance and quality of healthcare in conflict-affected settings. There is considerable guidance on measuring access, availability and quantity of health provision in these settings, but much less on whether this care is sufficient or effective…. Read more
This review has found a number of peer reviewed studies and grey literature on interventions targeted at sex workers for HIV prevention. Several were systematic reviews, some comprehensive reviews and policy papers. A number of individual studies focused on cost effectiveness are presented. Two interventions in India are considered particularly effective and scalable interventions. A… Read more
This helpdesk report explores the evidence available on the impact of salary supplementation schemes on the performance, recruitment and retention of health workers. Salary supplementation can be defined as monetary payments or in-kind benefits paid to staff above the standard compensation for their position. There are two key types of salary supplementation schemes: those aiming… Read more