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| 3. |
- Ashish, K. C., et al.
(author)
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Increased immunization coverage addresses the equity gap in Nepal
- 2017
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In: Bulletin of the World Health Organization. - : WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. - 0042-9686 .- 1564-0604. ; 95:4, s. 261-269
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective To compare immunization coverage and equity distribution of coverage between 2001 and 2014 in Nepal. Methods We used data from the Demographic and Health Surveys carried out in 2001, 2006 and 2011 together with data from the 2014. Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. We calculated the proportion, in mean percentage, of children who had received bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine, three doses of polio vaccine, three doses of diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT) vaccine and measles vaccine. To measure inequities between wealth quintiles, we calculated the slope index of inequality (SII) and relative index of inequality (RII) for all surveys. Findings From 2001 to 2014, the proportion of children who received all vaccines at the age of 12 months increased from 68.8% (95% confidence interval, CI: 67.5-70.1) to 82.4% (95% CI: 80.7-84.0). While coverage of BCG, DPT and measles immunization statistically increased during the study period, the proportion of children who received the third dose of polio vaccine decreased from 93.3% (95% CI: 92.7-93.9) to 88.1% (95% CI: 86.8-89.3). The poorest wealth quintile showed the greatest improvement in immunization coverage, from 58% to 77.9%, While the wealthiest quintile only improved from 84.8% to 86.0%. The SII for children who received all vaccines improved from 0.070 (95% CI: 0.061-0.078) to 0.026 (95% CI: 0.013-0.039) and RII improved from 1.13 to 1.03. Conclusion The improvement in immunization coverage between 2001 and 2014 in Nepal can mainly be attributed to the interventions targeting the disadvantaged populations.
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- Baker, Ulrika, et al.
(author)
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Identifying implementation bottlenecks for maternal and newborn health interventions in rural districts of the United Republic of Tanzania
- 2015
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In: Bulletin of the World Health Organization. - 0042-9686 .- 1564-0604. ; 93:6, s. 380-389
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective To estimate effective coverage of maternal and newborn health interventions and to identify bottlenecks in their implementation in rural districts of the United Republic of Tanzania. Methods Cross-sectional data from households and health facilities in Tandahimba and Newala districts were used in the analysis. We adapted Tanahashi's model to estimate intervention coverage in conditional stages and to identify implementation bottlenecks in access, health facility readiness and clinical practice. The interventions studied were syphilis and pre-eclampsia screening, partograph use, active management of the third stage of labour and postpartum care. Findings Effective coverage was low in both districts, ranging from only 3% for postpartum care in Tandahimba to 49% for active management of the third stage of labour in Newala. In Tandahimba, health facility readiness was the largest bottleneck for most interventions, whereas in Newala, it was access. Clinical practice was another large bottleneck for syphilis screening in both districts. Conclusion The poor effective coverage of maternal and newborn health interventions in rural districts of the United Republic of Tanzania reinforces the need to prioritize health service quality. Access to high-quality local data by decision-makers would assist planning and prioritization. The approach of estimating effective coverage and identifying bottlenecks described here could facilitate progress towards universal health coverage for any area of care and in any context.
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| 6. |
- Barth, Cornelia Anne, et al.
(author)
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Ways to improve surgical outcomes in low- and middle-income countries
- 2022
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In: Bulletin of the World Health Organization. - : WHO Press. - 0042-9686 .- 1564-0604. ; 100:11, s. 726-732
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Global surgery initiatives such as the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery have highlighted the need for increased investment to enhance surgical capacity in low- and middle-income countries. A neglected issue, however, is surgery-related rehabilitation, which is known to optimize functional outcomes after surgery. Increased investment to enhance surgical capacity therefore needs to be complemented by promotion of rehabilitation interventions. We make the case for strengthening surgery-related rehabilitation in lower-resource countries, outlining the challenges but also potential solutions and policy directions. Proposed solutions include greater leadership and awareness, augmented by recent global efforts around the World Health Organization's Rehabilitation 2030 initiative, and professionalization of the rehabilitation workforce. More research on rehabilitation is needed in low- and middle-income countries, along with support for system approaches, notably on strengthening and integrating rehabilitation within the health systems. Finally, we outline a set of policy implications and recommendations, aligned to the components of the national surgical plan proposed by the Lancet Commission: infrastructure, workforce, service delivery, financing, and information management. Collaboration and sustained efforts to embed rehabilitation within national surgical plans is key to optimize health outcomes for patients with surgical conditions and ensure progress towards sustainable development goal 3: health and well-being for all.
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| 7. |
- Barth, Cornelia, et al.
(author)
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Users of rehabilitation services in 14 countries and territories affected by conflict, 1988–2018
- 2020
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In: Bulletin of the World Health Organization. - Geneva, Switzerland : World Health Organization. - 0042-9686 .- 1564-0604. ; 98, s. 599-614
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective To analyse the demographic and clinical characteristics of people attending physical rehabilitation centres run or supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross in countries and territories affected by conflict.Methods Of 150 such rehabilitation centres worldwide, 38 use an electronic patient management system. We invited all 38 centres to participate. We extracted de-identified data from 1988 to 2018 and categorized them by sex, age, country or territory and reason for using rehabilitation services.Findings Thirty-one of the 38 rehabilitation centres in 14 countries and territories participated. We included data for 287 274 individuals. Of people using rehabilitation services, 61.6% (176 949/287 274) were in Afghanistan, followed by 15.7% (44 959/287 274) in Cambodia. Seven places had over 9000 service users each (Afghanistan, Cambodia, Gaza Strip, Iraq, Myanmar, Somalia and Sudan). Overall, 72.6% (208 515/287 274) of service users were male. In eight countries, more than half of the users were of working age (18–59 years). Amputation was the most common reason for using rehabilitation services; 33.3% (95 574/287 274) of users were people with amputations, followed by 13.7% (39 446/287 274) with cerebral palsy. The male predominance was greater in the population aged 18–34 years (83.1%; 71 441/85 997) and in people with amputations (88.6%; 84 717/95 574) but was evident across all places, age groups and health conditions.Conclusion The considerably lower attendance of females at the rehabilitation centres highlights the need to understand the factors that affect the accessibility and acceptability of rehabilitation for women and girls in conflict settings.
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| 9. |
- Byass, Peter
(author)
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Correlation between noncommunicable disease mortality in people aged 30-69 years and those aged 70-89 years
- 2019
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In: Bulletin of the World Health Organization. - : WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. - 0042-9686 .- 1564-0604. ; 97:9, s. 589-596
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To investigate whether the key metric for monitoring progress towards sustainable development goal target 3.4 that is measuring premature noncommunicable disease mortality (deaths among people aged 30-69 years), is ageist.Methods: To examine the relationship between premature noncommunicable disease mortality and noncommunicable disease mortality in older people, a database of mortality rates for cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes in people aged 30 to 69 years and 70 to 89 years was compiled using estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The data covered 195 countries, six time-points and both sexes, giving 2340 instances. The World Health Organization's (WHO's) life-table method for the premature noncommunicable disease mortality metric was applied to the data.Findings: There was a strong correlation between noncommunicable disease mortality patterns in the premature and older age groups, which suggests that measuring premature noncommunicable disease mortality is informative about such mortality in later life. Neither time nor geographical location had a substantial effect on this correlation. However, there were female-to-male differences in age-specific probabilities of death due to noncommunicable disease, implying that noncommunicable disease mortality should be assessed using a sex-disaggregated approach.Conclusion: As the established WHO metric for premature noncommunicable disease mortality was predictive of noncommunicable disease mortality in older people, the metric should not be construed as ageist Focusing resources on measuring premature noncommunicable disease mortality will be appropriate, particularly in settings without universal civil death registration. This approach should not prejudice the provision of health services throughout the life-course.
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| 10. |
- Dgedge, M, et al.
(author)
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The burden of disease in Maputo city, Mozambique : registered and autopsied deaths in 1994
- 2001
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In: Bulletin of the World Health Organization. - 0042-9686 .- 1564-0604. ; 79:6, s. 546-552
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To classify the causes of death in Maputo City, Mozambique, using the methods of the Global Burden of Disease study, in order to provide information for health policy-makers and to obtain a baseline for future studies in Maputo City and provincial capitals.Methods: Data were taken from the Maputo City death register and autopsy records for 1994.Findings: A total of 9011 deaths were recorded in the death register, representing a coverage of approximately86%. Of these, 8114 deaths (92%) were classified by cause. Communicable, maternal, perinatal, and nutritionaldisorders accounted for 5319 deaths; noncommunicable diseases for 1834; and injuries for 961. The 10 leadingcauses of registered deaths were perinatal disorders (1643 deaths); malaria (928); diarrhoeal diseases (814);tuberculosis (456); lower respiratory infections (416); road-traffic accidents (371); anaemia (269); cerebrovasculardiseases (269); homicide (188); and bacterial meningitis (178).Conclusions: Infectious diseases of all types, injuries, and cerebrovascular disease ranked as leading causes of death, according to both the autopsy records and the city death register. AIDS-related deaths were underreported.With HIV infection increasing rapidly, AIDS will add to the already high burden of infectious diseases and premature mortality in Maputo City. The results of the study indicate that cause of death is a useful outcome indicator for disease control programmes.
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| 16. |
- Jalloh, Mohamed F., et al.
(author)
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Evidence of behaviour change during an Ebola virus disease outbreak, Sierra Leone
- 2020
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In: Bulletin of the World Health Organization. - : World Health Organization. - 0042-9686 .- 1564-0604. ; 98:5, s. 330-340
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective To evaluate changes in Ebola-related knowledge, attitudes and prevention practices during the Sierra Leone outbreak between 2014 and 2015.Methods Four cluster surveys were conducted: two before the outbreak peak (3499 participants) and two after (7104 participants). We assessed the effect of temporal and geographical factors on 16 knowledge, attitude and practice outcomes.Findings Fourteen of 16 knowledge, attitude and prevention practice outcomes improved across all regions from before to after the outbreak peak. The proportion of respondents willing to: (i) welcome Ebola survivors back into the community increased from 60.0% to 89.4% (adjusted odds ratio, aOR: 6.0; 95% confidence interval, CI: 3.9–9.1); and (ii) wait for a burial team following a relative’s death increased from 86.0% to 95.9% (aOR: 4.4; 95% CI: 3.2–6.0). The proportion avoiding unsafe traditional burials increased from 27.3% to 48.2% (aOR: 3.1; 95% CI: 2.4–4.2) and the proportion believing spiritual healers can treat Ebola decreased from 15.9% to 5.0% (aOR: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.1–0.3). The likelihood respondents would wait for burial teams increased more in high-transmission (aOR: 6.2; 95% CI: 4.2–9.1) than low-transmission (aOR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.4–3.8) regions. Self-reported avoidance of physical contact with corpses increased in high but not low-transmission regions, aOR: 1.9 (95% CI: 1.4–2.5) and aOR: 0.8 (95% CI: 0.6–1.2), respectively.Conclusion Ebola knowledge, attitudes and prevention practices improved during the Sierra Leone outbreak, especially in high-transmission regions. Behaviourally-targeted community engagement should be prioritized early during outbreaks.
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| 17. |
- Jernigan, D.H., et al.
(author)
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Towards a global alcohol policy : alcohol, public health and the role of WHO
- 2000
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In: Bulletin of the World Health Organization. - 0042-9686 .- 1564-0604. ; 78:4, s. 491-499
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In 1983 the World Health Assembly declared alcohol-related problems to be among the world’s major health concerns. Since then, alcohol consumption has risen in developing countries, where it takes a heavy toll. Alcohol-related problems are at epidemic levels in the successor states of the Soviet Union and are responsible for 3.5% of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost globally. Substantial evidence exists of the relationship between the levels and patterns of alcohol consumption on the one hand and the incidence of alcohol-related problems on the other. Over the past 20 years, research has demonstrated the effectiveness of public policies involving, for example, taxation and restrictions on alcohol availability, in reducing alcohol-related problems. In the wake of rapid economic globalization, many of these policies at national and subnational levels have been eroded, often with the support of international financial and development organizations. Development agencies and international trade agreements have treated alcohol as a normal commodity, overlooking the adverse consequences of its consumption on productivity and health. WHO is in a strong position to take the lead in developing a global alcohol policy aimed at reducing alcohol-related problems, providing scientific and statistical support, capacity-building, disseminating effective strategies and collaborating with other international organizations. Such leadership can play a significant part in diminishing the health and social problems associated with alcohol use.
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| 18. |
- Johansson, Lars Age, et al.
(author)
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Counting the dead and what they died of.
- 2006
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In: Bulletin of the World Health Organization. - 0042-9686 .- 1564-0604. ; 84:3, s. 254-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)
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| 20. |
- Ljung, Rickard, et al.
(author)
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Socioeconomic differences in the burden of disease in Sweden
- 2005
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In: Bulletin of the World Health Organization. - 0042-9686 .- 1564-0604. ; 83:2, s. 92-99
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE:We sought to analyse how much of the total burden of disease in Sweden, measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), is a result of inequalities in health between socioeconomic groups. We also sought to determine how this unequal burden is distributed across different disease groups and socioeconomic groups.METHODS:Our analysis used data from the Swedish Burden of Disease Study. We studied all Swedish men and women in three age groups (15-44, 45-64, 65-84) and five major socioeconomic groups. The 18 disease and injury groups that contributed to 65% of the total burden of disease were analysed using attributable fractions and the slope index of inequality and the relative index of inequality.FINDINGS:About 30% of the burden of disease among women and 37% of the burden among men is a differential burden resulting from socioeconomic inequalities in health. A large part of this unequally distributed burden falls on unskilled manual workers. The largest contributors to inequalities in health for women are ischaemic heart disease, depression and neurosis, and stroke. For men, the largest contributors are ischaemic heart disease, alcohol addiction and self-inflicted injuries.CONCLUSION:This is the first study to use socioeconomic differences, measured by socioeconomic position, to assess the burden of disease using DALYs. We found that in Sweden one-third of the burden of the diseases we studied is unequally distributed. Studies of socioeconomic inequalities in the burden of disease that take both mortality and morbidity into account can help policy-makers understand the magnitude of inequalities in health for different disease groups.
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| 21. |
- Long, Qian, et al.
(author)
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Giving birth at a health-care facility in rural China : is it affordable for the poor?
- 2011
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In: Bulletin of the World Health Organization. - 0042-9686 .- 1564-0604. ; 89:2, s. 144-152
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Expenditure on facility-based delivery greatly increased in rural China over 1998-2007 because of greater use of higher-level facilities, more Caesarean deliveries and the introduction of the New Cooperative Medical Scheme. The financial burden on the rural poor remained high.
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| 22. |
- Lyons, P., et al.
(author)
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Engaging religious leaders to promote safe burial practices during the 2014–2016 ebola virus disease outbreak, sierra leone
- 2021
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In: Bulletin of the World Health Organization. - : World Health Organization. - 0042-9686 .- 1564-0604. ; 99:4, s. 271-279
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective To quantify the potential impact of engaging religious leaders in promoting safe burial practices during the 2014–2016 Ebola virus disease outbreak in Sierra Leone. Methods We analysed population-based household survey data from 3540 respondents collected around the peak of the outbreak in Sierra Leone, December 2014. Respondents were asked if in the past month they had heard an imam or pastor say that people should not touch or wash a dead body. We used multilevel logistic regression modelling to examine if exposure to religious leaders’ messages was associated with protective burial intentions if a family member died at home and other Ebola protective behaviours. Findings Of the respondents, 3148 (89%) had been exposed to faith-based messages from religious leaders on safe Ebola burials and 369 (10%) were unexposed. Exposure to religious leaders’ messages was associated with a nearly twofold increase in the intention to accept safe alternatives to traditional burials and the intention to wait ≥ 2 days for burial teams (adjusted odds ratio, aOR: 1.69; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.23–2.31 and aOR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.38–2.44, respectively). Exposure to messages from religious leaders was also associated with avoidance of traditional burials and of contact with suspected Ebola patients (aOR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.14–1.89 and aOR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.27–2.13, respectively). Conclusion Public health messages promoted by religious leaders may have influenced safe burial behaviours during the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone. Engagement of religious leaders in risk communication should be prioritized during health emergencies in similar settings.
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| 24. |
- Målqvist, Mats, 1971-, et al.
(author)
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Maternal health care utilization in Viet Nam : increasing ethnic inequity
- 2013
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In: Bulletin of the World Health Organization. - 0042-9686 .- 1564-0604. ; 91:4, s. 254-261
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- ObjectiveTo investigate changes that took place between 2006 and 2010 in the inequity gap for antenatal care attendance and delivery at health facilities among women in Viet Nam.MethodsDemographic, socioeconomic and obstetric data for women aged 15–49 years were extracted from Viet Nam’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey for 2006 (MICS3) and 2010–2011 (MICS4). Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine if antenatal care attendance and place of delivery were significantly associated with maternal education, maternal ethnicity (Kinh/Hoa versus other), household wealth and place of residence (urban versus rural). These independent variables correspond to the analytical framework of the Commission on Social Determinants of Health.FindingsLarge discrepancies between urban and rural populations were found in both MICS3 and MICS4. Although antenatal care attendance and health facility delivery rates improved substantially between surveys (from 86.3 to 92.1% and from 76.2 to 89.7%, respectively), inequities increased, especially along ethnic lines. The risk of not giving birth in a health facility increased significantly among ethnic minority women living in rural areas. In 2006 this risk was nearly five times higher than among women of Kinh/Hoa (majority) ethnicity (odds ratio, OR: 4.67; 95% confidence interval, CI: 2.94–7.43); in 2010–2011 it had become nearly 20 times higher (OR: 18.8; 95% CI: 8.96–39.2).ConclusionInequity in maternal health care utilization has increased progressively in Viet Nam, primarily along ethnic lines, and vulnerable groups in the country are at risk of being left behind. Health-care decision-makers should target these groups through affirmative action and culturally sensitive interventions.
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| 25. |
- Mölstad, Sigvard, et al.
(author)
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Lessons learnt during 20 years of the swedish strategic programme against antibiotic resistance
- 2017
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In: Bulletin of the World Health Organization. - : WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. - 0042-9686 .- 1564-0604. ; 95:11, s. 764-773
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Increasing use of antibiotics and rising levels of bacterial resistance to antibiotics are a challenge to global health and development. Successful initiatives for containing the problem need to be communicated and disseminated. In Sweden, a rapid spread of resistant pneumococci in the southern part of the country triggered the formation of the Swedish strategic programme against antibiotic resistance, also known as Strama, in 1995. The creation of the programme was an important starting point for long-term coordinated efforts to tackle antibiotic resistance in the country. This paper describes the main strategies of the programme: committed work at the local and national levels; monitoring of antibiotic use for informed decision-making; a national target for antibiotic prescriptions; surveillance of antibiotic resistance for local, national and global action; tracking resistance trends; infection control to limit spread of resistance; and communication to raise awareness for action and behavioural change. A key element for achieving long-term changes has been the bottom-up approach, including working closely with prescribers at the local level. The work described here and the lessons learnt could inform countries implementing their own national action plans against antibiotic resistance.
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