Tropical Medicine 3

Question 1

What are the 10 priorities during a humanitarian emergency?

Answer 1

1. Rapid initial assessment
2. Vaccination
3. Water & sanitation
4. Food & nutrition
5. Shelter & site planning
6. Curative activities
7. Control of Communicative Diseases & Epidemics
8. Surveillance
9. Human resources training
10. Co-ordination

Question 2

What is a general approach to identifying challenges in delivering healthcare in low resource settings?

Answer 2

1. Social e.g. stigma, education, health beliefs
2. System e.g. drug shortages, waiting times, travel

Question 3

𝑅0 = 𝐵 × 𝐶 × 𝐷

What is R0?

Answer 3

R0 = basic reproduction number. The number of secondary infections produced by a typical case of an infection in a population that is totally susceptible

Question 4

𝑅0 = 𝐵 × 𝐶 × 𝐷

What do B, C and D represent in the context of STIs?

Answer 4

B = transmission coefficient (Risk per sexual act with infected person)
C = mean rate of partner change
D = mean duration of infectiousness

Question 5

What are the 10 needs for safe surgery in resource limited settings?

Answer 5

1. Trained providers.
2. Infrastructure/equipment.
3. Decontamination & sterilisation.
4. Blood supply.
5. Drugs (antibiotics, pain relief, anaesthetics).
6. Nursing care & monitoring.
7. 24-hour surgical cover.
8. Quality improvement (e.g., audits).
9. Risk assessment & planning.
10. Emergency preparedness.

Question 7

What does IHR stand for?

Answer 7

International Health Regulations

IHR are a set of rules established by the World Health Organization.

Question 8

How many countries are legally bound by the IHR?

Answer 8

196 countries

This includes all 194 WHO Member States.

Question 9

What are the main functions of the IHR?

Answer 9

Create rights and obligations for countries in the management of pandemics

This includes the requirement to report public health events.