Burkina Faso’s Fight Against Hepatitis B
Africa experiences the most cases of hepatitis B (the second most common cause of cancer) in the world, with approximately 150 million cases reported annually. Burkina Faso faces a high endemic prevalence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is primarily transmitted from mother to child. To take action in combating HBV in the country, Yelemkoure et al. conducted a study from 2013 to 2014 at Saint Camille Hospital of Ouagadougu to show that early screening and treatment for HBV in pregnant women significantly reduces the risk of transmitting the disease to children. Approximately 98% of the children (102 in total) who received 3 doses of HBV vaccine at birth developed some form of protection against HBV. These results inform new strategies for preventing the vertical transmission of HBV in Burkina Faso.
Citation. Yelemkoure E, Yonli A, Montesano C. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus in Burkina Faso: screening, vaccination and evaluation of postvaccination antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen in newborns. J Public Health Afr. 2018;9(3):150–153.
Using International Scientific Contributions to Eradicate Polio
Establishing diplomatic limitations on travel, funding, and logistics creates uncertainty in opportunities for scientific cooperation and ultimately discourages contributions addressing shared challenges among nations. Cuba continues to provide an excellent opportunity for research on Sabin viruses because of its unique oral poliovirus vaccine program. In collaboration with World Health Organization scientists over the past 20 years, Cuba has conducted 15 studies, including clinical trials and ongoing studies, aimed at ultimately eradicating polio globally and developing worldwide immunization policies. The scientific communities of the world should promulgate the need to find ways to promote collaboration without jeopardizing vital partnerships in the face of destructive diplomacy.
Citation. Resik S, Mach O, Tejeda A, Galindo MA, Sutter RW. Cuba’s scientific contributions to global polio eradication. MEDICC Rev. 2018;20(2):40–42.
Barriers to Health Care Access of Syrian Refugees in Jordan
With more than 629 000 Syrian individuals seeking refuge in Jordan, there is concern about whether refugees seeking medical care have access to health care services. El Arab and Sagbakken conducted a literature review that revealed legal documentation (e.g., registration of refugee status) and financial requirements (e.g., cost of treatment for undocumented refugees) were major barriers to Syrian refugees’ access to medical care. Leniency on required documentation and international recognition of the financial responsibility to support refugees who are stateless (i.e., are not considered a citizen of any nation) would help overcome barriers to health care access.
Citation. El Arab R, Sagbakken M. Healthcare services for Syrian refugees in Jordan: a systematic review. Eur J Public Health. 2018;28(6):1079–1087.
Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure Remains High Among Iranians
Iran’s economic infrastructure has suffered from decades of war and decreasing foreign investment. Coincidently, the country has experienced an epidemiological transition to noncommunicable diseases. As a result, the Iranian government has implemented policies to cover primary care, but Iranians’ secondary and tertiary care is at least partially covered by out-of-pocket expenditure. Examining World Bank data, Behzadifar et al. observed a declining trend in out-of-pocket expenditure from 53.59% in 1995 to 47.8% in 2014. However, out-of-pocket expenditure in Iran remains 3 times higher than the world average. Reducing out-of-pocket expenditure may prevent the negative consequences of increased health care costs, such as poverty and health inequality.
Citation. Behzadifar M, Beyranvand T, Jafari M, et al. A description of the temporal pattern of out-of-pocket expenditure related to Iranian healthcare services during 1995–2014. Iran J Public Health. 2018;47(10):1552–1557.