Diversity & Equality in Health and Care Open Access

This March 2018 issue covers a wide variety of topics from different countries and regions in the world: premarital screening programs in Nigeria, effects of different types of insulin in Italy, Native American health in the United States (US), mental health among physicians in Iraq, and childhood weight issues in Spain. Women’s health is a significant public health issue in Nigeria. Previous studies on women’s health in Nigeria examined intimate partner violence, sexual health and autonomy, childbirth care, and reproductive health [1-4]. The article entitled “Premarital Screening Programs in the Middle East, from a Human Right’s Perspective Self-reported Well-being and Perceived Health Status of Women in Child- Producing Age Living in Rural Communities on the Atlantic Ocean Coast in Southwest Nigeria” takes a unique approach to women’s health by focusing on premarital screening programs.

One article from the US, entitled “Indigenous Peoples Health in the United States of America: Review of Lifestyle Issues and the Implementation of Community-Based Participatory Research” reviewed policies related to health of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN), also known as Native American, and emphasized the importance of community-based participatory research. Native Americans experience considerable health disparities [5]. Although federal organizations such as Indian Health Service exist and act to serve the needs of AI/AN, health disparities have still been persistent amongst this population [6]. The Department of Health and Human Services has a Tribal Consultation Policy to receive input from tribal members surrounding policies and programs that affect them [7]. However, there may be room for improvement in this process, as health disparities still exist in this population [8]. Community-based participatory research would help incorporate Native American’s perspectives into such programs.

Two articles from Italy and Spain focus on chronic conditions with focuses on quality of life and medication efficacy. Diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic disease in the world [9]. Some type 2 diabetes patients require insulin for treatment [9]. There are different types of insulin including various lines of insulin regimes [10]. The article from Italy, entitled “Despite being Apparently Equal, Concentrated Lispro-200 Performs Metabolically and Subjectively Better than Lispro-100” compared two different types of insulin in order to seek better outcomes of insulin treatment for type 2 diabetes. The other article from Spain entitled “Influence of physical activity on quality of life in overweight and obese children. Randomized clinical trial” studied chronic conditions with an emphasis on lifestyle issues among children. Childhood obesity is increasingly a serious problem worldwide [11]. Regular physical activity is very important to prevent obesity [11]. This article shows how physical activity can positively affect the quality of life in children who have been overweight or obese.

Finally, mental health and job satisfaction among physicians are critical factors to ensure quality health care. For example, in Iraq, many doctors have had to leave Iraq and find other countries to practice due to internal conflict in Iraq [12]. This reduction in the number of practicing Iraqi physicians has had a negative impact on the healthcare infrastructure of the country [12]. It is also expected that this physician exodus will impact the country for decades to come [12]. The article entitled “Stress, depression, and job satisfaction among physicians in Iraq” examined the issue of work environment-related mental health concerns and job satisfaction among physicians in Iraq, providing information which may facilitate the improvement of Iraqi health care work environments.

References

1. Solanke BL (2018) Does exposure to interparental violence increase women's risk of intimate partner violence? Evidence from Nigeria demographic and health survey. BMC Int Health Hum Rights. 18:13.
2. Sano Y, Sedziafa AP, Vercillo S, Antabe R, Luginaah I, et al. (2018) Women's household decision-making autonomy and safer sex negotiation in Nigeria: An analysis of the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. AIDS Care. 30:240-245.
3. Ojelade OA, Titiloye MA, Bohren MA, Olutayo AO, Olalere AA, et al. (2017) The communication and emotional support needs to improve women's experience of childbirth care in health facilities in Southwest Nigeria: A qualitative study. IJGO.139:27-37.
4. Babalola S (2017) changes in ideational profiles of women of reproductive age in urban Nigeria: The role of health communication. Health Educ. Behav. 44:907-917.
5. https://www.cdc.gov/tribal/health_disparities.html
6. Lillie-Blanton M, Roubideaux Y (2005) understanding and addressing the health care needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Am. J. Public Health. 95:759-761.
7. https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/publichealth/community/indianhealth/tribalconsultationpolicy.pdf
8. Gone JP, Trimble JE (2012) American Indian and Alaska Native mental health: diverse perspectives on enduring disparities. Annu. Rev. Clin. Psychol. 8:131-160.
9. https://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs312/en/
10. Cetorelli V, Shabila NP (2014) Expansion of health facilities in Iraq a decade after the US-led invasion, 2003-2012. Confl Health. 8:16.
11. https://www.who.int/end-childhood-obesity/facts/en/
12. Doocy S, Malik S, Burnham G. (2010) Experiences of Iraqi doctors in Jordan during conflict and factors associated with migration. Am J Disaster Med. 5:41-47.