Theoretical Perspectives on Government and Power

RESEARC H Open AccessIraqi health system in kurdistan region: medicalprofessionals’ perspectives on challenges andpriorities for improvementNazar P Shabila1*, Namir G Al-Tawil1, Rebaz Tahir2, Falah H Shwani2, Abubakir M Saleh1, Tariq S Al-Hadithi1AbstractBackground: The views of medical professionals on efficiency of health system and needs for any changes arevery critical and constitute a cornerstone for any health system improvement. This is particularly relevant to IraqiKurdistan case as the events of the last few decades have significantly devastated the national Iraqi health systemwhile the necessity for adopting a new health care system is increasingly recognized since 2004. This study aims toexamine the regional health system in Iraqi Kurdistan from medical professionals’ perspectives and try to define itsproblems and priorities for improvement.Methods: A survey questionnaire was developed and administered to a convenience sample of 250 medicalprofessionals in Erbil governorate. The questionnaire included four items; rating of the quality of services andavailability of resources in the health institutions, view on different aspects of the health system, the perceivedpriority needs for health system improvement and gender and professional characteristics of the respondents.Results: The response rate to the survey was 83.6%. A high proportion of respondents rated the different aspectsof services and resources in the health institutions as weak or very weak including the availability of the requiredquantity and quality of medicines (68.7%), the availability of sufficient medical equipment and investigation tools(68.7%), and the quality of offered services (65.3%). Around 72% of respondents had a rather negative view on theoverall health system. The weak role of medical research, the weak role of professional associations in controllingthe system and the inefficient health education were identified as important problems in the current health system(87.9%, 87.1% and 84.9%, respectively). The priority needs of health system improvement included adoption ofsocial insurance for medical care of the poor (82%), enhancing the role of family medicine (77.2%), adopting healthinsurance system (76.1%) and periodic scientific evaluation of physicians and other health staff (69.8%).Conclusion: Medical professionals were generally unsatisfied with the different aspects of the health system inIraqi Kurdistan region. A number of problems and different priority needs for health system improvement havebeen recognized that require to be studied in more details.BackgroundThe major objective of a country’s health system is toassure the health of the general public through offeringgood quality and prompt services according to theneeds of the population [1]. The health system needs togo through a process of continuous changes andimprovement in order to be able to cope with differentchanges in the health and population environments andto appropriately respond to different challenges andneeds [2].The history of formal health care system in Iraq beganin early 1920s, but the Iraqi Ministry of Health (MoH)was established in 1952 and its organizational structurewas formalized in 1959. This organizational structurehas changed little since its establishment [3,4]. Thehealth care Theoretical Perspectives on Government and Power Theoretical Perspectives on Government and Power Bởi: OpenStaxCollege French sociologist Emile Durkheim, often called the Father of Sociology, viewed government as interdependent with other parts of society (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons) Sociologists rely on organizational frameworks or paradigms to make sense of their study of sociology; already there are many widely recognized schemas for evaluating sociological data and observations Each paradigm looks at the study of sociology through a unique lens The sociological examination of government and power can thus be evaluated using a variety of perspectives that help the evaluator gain a broader perspective Functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism are a few of the more widely recognized philosophical stances in practice today Functionalism According to functionalism, the government has four main purposes: planning and directing society, meeting social needs, maintaining law and order, and managing international relations According to functionalism, all aspects of society serve a purpose 1/7 Theoretical Perspectives on Government and Power Functionalists view government and politics as a way to enforce norms and regulate conflict Functionalists see active social change, such as the sit-in on Wall Street, as undesirable because it forces change and, as a result, undesirable things that might have to be compensated for Functionalists seek consensus and order in society Dysfunction creates social problems that lead to social change For instance, functionalists would see monetary political contributions as a way of keeping people connected to the democratic process This would be in opposition to a conflict theorist who would see this financial contribution as a way for the rich to perpetuate their own wealth Conflict Theory Philosopher and social scientist Karl Marx was a seminal force in developing the conflict theory perspective He was a proponent of conflict, in general, because he felt that it was the only means of promoting positive change for the underprivileged Marx did not agree with Durkheim’s notions of cooperation and interdependence; he instead saw society as a stage for exploitation and strife G William Domhoff, a contemporary sociologist, is a modern-day proponent of Marx’s theories and has written numerous commentaries on the existence of a modern-day power elite in American society Domhoff (2011) has devoted a considerable amount of energy to his effort of pointing out the power elite’s influence on policy and society in general Domhoff’s 1967 publication Who Rules America? established his reputation as controversial and bold social scientist Drawing on powerful ideas already explored by Mills and Marx, Domhoff pointed out uncomfortable realities about the American political and social systems Today Domhoff is still a vocal participant in the field of sociology, publishing current books, teaching in the University of California system, and maintaining a website that offers a sampling of his professional work and studies on topics related to sociology Domhoff’s research helped to popularize the concept of the power elite His theories describe the members of the power elite maintaining their position by collectively following the same social patterns, such as vacationing at a handful of destinations, joining elite clubs, and attending select schools He also pointed out that the existence of a power elite stands in contrast to an important American ideal: that all Americans have a voice in their government Domhoff acknowledges that all Americans can potentially exert political influence, but he asserts that our current social and political systems make it easier for the wealthiest citizens to shape policy 2/7 Theoretical Perspectives on Government and Power Conflict Theory in Action Although military technology has evolved considerably over the course of history, the fundamental causes of conflict among nations remain essentially the same (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons) Even before there were modern nation-states, political conflicts arose among competing societies or factions of people Vikings attacked continental European tribes in search of loot, and, later, European explorers landed on foreign shores to claim the resources of indigenous groups Conflicts also arose among competing groups within individual sovereignties, as evidenced by the bloody French Revolution Nearly all conflicts in the past and present, however, are spurred by basic desires: the drive to protect or gain territory and wealth, and the need to preserve liberty and autonomy According to sociologist and philosopher Karl Marx, such conflicts are necessary, albeit ugly, steps toward a more egalitarian society Marx saw a historical pattern in which revolutionaries toppled elite power structures, after which wealth and authority were more evenly dispersed among the population, and the overall social ...[...]... DDT It is just one of the many battlegrounds in humanity’s long fight against malaria 14 PERSPECTIVES ON DISEASES AND DISORDERS CHAPTER 1 Understanding Malaria VIEWPOINT 1 An Overview of Malaria Carol A Turkington and Rebecca J Frey Photo on previous page The female Anopheles gambiae feeds on human blood Mosquitoes use the blood for egg production, but it may also carry the malaria infection.  (Sinclair... fected person and then passes the infection on to the next human it bites It is also possible to spread malaria via contaminated needles or in blood transfusions This is why all blood donors are carefully screened with questionnaires for possible exposure to malaria Complementary Roles Played by Humans and Mosquitoes in the Malaria Infection Cycle Malaria It is possible to contract malaria in non-endemic... analysis PERSPECTIVES ON DISEASES AND DISORDERS 21 Malaria Anyone who becomes ill with chills and fever after being in an area where malaria exists must see a doctor and mention their recent travel to endemic areas A person with the above symptoms who has been in a high-risk area should insist on a blood test for malaria The doctor may believe the symptoms are just the common flu virus Malaria is often... falciparum malaria in Africa, South Africa, India, and southeast Asia are now resistant to chloroquine In Thailand and Cambodia, there are strains of falciparum malaria that have some resistance to almost all known drugs A patient with falciparum malaria needs to be hospitalized and given antimalarial drugs in different com22 PERSPECTIVES ON DISEASES AND DISORDERS Understanding Malaria binations and doses... air conditioned hotels on tourist itineraries in urban or resort areas are at lower risk than backpackers, missionaries, and Peace Corps volunteers Some people in western cities where malaria does not usually exist may acquire the infection from a mosquito carried onto a jet This is called airport or runway malaria PERSPECTIVES ON DISEASES AND DISORDERS 25 VIEWPOINT 2 Malaria Is One of the Oldest and. .. means of controlling malaria Travelers to high-risk areas should use insect repellant containing DEET for exposed skin Because DEET is toxic in large amounts, children should not use a concen24 PERSPECTIVES ON DISEASES AND DISORDERS Understanding Malaria tration higher than 35% DEET should not be inhaled It should not be rubbed onto the eye area, on any broken or irritated skin, or on children’s hands It... eludes researchers For National Geographic reporter Finkel, writing about malaria had a personal dimension: Finkel himself contracted the illness while traveling in northern Thailand in 2002 SOURCE:  Michael Finkel, “Stopping a Global Killer,” National Geographic, July 2007 Reproduced by permission 26 PERSPECTIVES ON DISEASES AND DISORDERS Understanding Malaria W e live on a malarious planet It may... thousands of Allied forces contracted malaria in the South Pacific and the Allies responded by spraying the region with DDT to combat the high rates of infection among the troops So it was with these successes in mind that WHO began its seemingly monumental task of coordinating a global malaria campaign One of the early target countries was the island nation of Borneo in Indonesia, which had 10 PERSPECTIVES. .. insecticide-treated bed net Prevalence of respiratory symptoms and cases suspicious for tuberculosis among public health clinic patients in Afghanistan, 2005–2006: Perspectives on recognition and referral of tuberculosis cases Yolanda Barbera ´ Lainez 1 , Catherine S. Todd 2 , Ahmadullah Ahmadzai 1 , Shannon C. Doocy 3 and Gilbert Burnham 3 1 International Rescue Committee, Kabul, Afghanistan 2 Division of International Health & Cross-Cultural Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA, USA 3 Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore MD, USA Summary objectives To assess diagnosis and management of suspected pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) among patients with respiratory complaints attending Comprehensive Health Centers (CHCs) in Afghanistan. methods Consecutive consenting patients presenting with respiratory complaints at 24 health centres in eight provinces were enrolled between November 2005 and February 2006. Demographics, health histories, clinic provider and study representative exam findings and diagnoses, and diagnostic test results were recorded. Correlates of TB-suggestive symptoms (defined as cough >2 weeks and ⁄ or haemoptysis) were assessed by logistic regression. results There were 1401 participants; 24.6% (n = 345) were children (age 17 or under). The TB-suggestive symptoms of cough >2 weeks and ⁄ or haemoptysis were reported by 407 (31.3%) and 44(3.3%), respectively, with 39 participants reporting both symptoms. Of 413 participants reporting TB-suggestive symptoms, only 178 (43%) were diagnosed as having suspected TB; 22.0% received no clinical diagnosis. Suspected TB was significantly associated with having a household member residing in a refugee camp within the last 2 years (OR = 6.0; 95% CI: 4.1–8.7), seven or more people sleeping in the same room (OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.4–2.6) and cooking with a wood fire in the sleeping room (OR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2–2.2) in univariate analysis. conclusions Diagnostic sensitivity by the health worker for possible cases of pulmonary TB was low, as 22% of persons with suspected tuberculosis received no diagnosis. Further, some common ⁄ chronic respiratory ailments were under-diagnosed. There is great need for improved practical training and continuing education in pulmonary disease diagnosis for clinical health workers. keywords Afghanistan, tuberculosis, respiratory symptoms, cough, sputum smear accuracy Introduction Globally, respiratory disease accounts for 19% of deaths, many avoidable through risk behaviour reduction and prompt diagnosis and treatment (WHO 2000). Among nine developing countries surveyed, respiratory problems comprised 18% of presenting complaints in primary health clinics (WHO 2004). Most reflect acute respiratory infec- tions, responsible for 25% of infectious disease deaths in developing settings (Scherpbier et al. 1998). Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of infectious disease mortality globally, with 80% of cases concentrated in 22 low-income countries (Corbett et al. 2003, World Health Organization 2004). Diagnosis of pulmonary TB is a multi-step process, requiring clinical acumen and diagnostic procedures. Criteria for TB-suggestive cases (productive cough >2 weeks and ⁄ or haemoptysis) may be non-specific and result in diagnostic delay by either providers or patients in initiating appropriate investigations (Ward et al. Hepatitis PERSPECTIVES On Diseases & Disorders Jacqueline Langwith Book Editor 1st EDITION Perspectives on Diseases and Disorders Hepatitis 9780737745535_PDD.indd 1 11/3/09 8:31 AM Christine Nasso, Publisher Elizabeth Des Chenes, Managing Editor © 2010 Greenhaven Press, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning Gale and Greenhaven Press are registered trademarks used herein under license. For more information, contact: Greenhaven Press 27500 Drake Rd. Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3535 Or you can visit our Internet site at gale.cengage.com All Rights ReseRved. 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In addition, original titles of these works are changed to clearly present the main thesis and to explicitly indicate the author’s opinion. Every effort is made to ensure that Greenhaven Press accurately reflects the original intent of the authors. Every effort has been made to trace the owners of copyrighted material. Cover image copyright © Tom McCarthy-Rainbow/Science Faction/Documentary/Corbis Printed in the United States of America 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 13 12 11 10 09 Hepatitis / Jacqueline Langwith, book editor. p. cm. (Perspectives on diseases and disorders) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-7377-4553-5 (hardcover) 1. Hepatitis Juvenile literature. I. Langwith, Jacqueline. RC848.H42H45 2010 616.3'623 dc22 2009036458 liBRARY OF CONgRess CAtAlOgiNg-iN-PUBliCAtiON dAtA 9780737745535_PDD.indd 2 11/3/09 8:31 AM Foreword 7 Introduction 9 CHAPTER 1 Understanding Hepatitis 1. An Overview of Hepatitis 15 Thelma King Thiel Liver inflammation, or hepatitis, has many causes. However, most hepatitis is caused by one of several viruses. 2. Hepatitis A Causes a Short-Lived but Potentially Serious Disease 25 Larry I. Lutwick Hepatitis A disease is generally short-lived. The virus is commonly transmitted by contaminated food or water. 3. Hepatitis B Is One of the Most Common Chronic Infectious Diseases 31 David A. Cramer and Teresa G. Odle Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, many people around the world suffer from the debilitating effects of hepatitis B. 4. Hepatitis C Can Go Undetected for Years 39 Larry I. Lutwick and Tish Davidson Millions of people are unaware that they are infected with the hepatitis C virus. Meanwhile the virus silently wreaks havoc on the liver. CONTE NTSCONTE NTS 9780737745535_PDD.indd 3 11/3/09 8:31 AM 5. Hepatitis D Has Little Public Awareness 46 Hepatitis B Foundation Hepatitis D is not as common as the other hepatitis viruses. However, it may be the most devastating. 6. A New Hepatitis B Vaccine May Help Those in the Developing World 51 ScienceDaily Researchers are devising ways to increase the availability of the hepatitis B vaccine in developing countries. 7. Hepatitis C Is the Number One Reason for Liver Transplants 57 Peter Jaret Liver transplantation is often the last resort for people suffering from advanced hepatitis C disease. CHAPTER 2 [...]... interest configuration arrayed to press for change In consequence, the first NWO ended with the erosion of the global consensus equating sovereignty with state control, and the onset of privatization and market liberalization To flesh out these broad generalizations a little, let us begin with the PTT On the European continent, many states had established postal monopolies that took control of the telegraph... for the meetings in Budapest Our heartfelt thanks to them all 1 Introduction: The Distributed Architecture of Network Global Governance William J Drake The burgeoning use of global electronic networks and related information and communication technologies (ICT) is widely recognized to be one of the defining features of contemporary world affairs Electronic networks underlie and enable the relational networks. .. this consolidation for reasons that were in some cases similar to the rationales for PTT control abroad The partnership between AT&T and the government deepened after the Communications Act of 1934 created the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the first semicoherent national policy framework for telecommunications AT&T achieved dominance on international voice routes alongside some international. .. of the actors involved The global governance of electronic networks has a very long pedigree Indeed, international telecommunications was the first field in which nation-states established a multilateral intergovernmental organization the International Telegraph Union, now the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), formed in 1865 Over the nearly century and a half to follow, global governance has... in the industrial information economy The declining price of computation, communication, and storage have, as a practical matter, placed the material means of information and cultural production in the hands of a significant fraction of the world’s population on the order of a billion people around the globe.4 But in practice, how easily and to what ends that billion people can utilize ICT, whether... in the discourses of international relations scholars and practitioners during the 1990s The term fit well within a zeitgeist shaped by the end of the Cold War, globalization, the Internet stage of the information revolution, the growth of private corporate authority, the mobilization of CSOs, and the alleged erosion of territorial sovereignty as the primary organizing principle of world politics These... meant not only the formal institutions and organizations through which the rules and norms governing world order are (or are not) made and sustained the institutions of state, intergovernmental cooperation and so on but also those organizations and pressure groups—from [multinational corporations], transnational social movements to the plethora of non-governmental organizations—which pursue goals and objectives... incorporated into discussions of .. .Theoretical Perspectives on Government and Power Functionalists view government and politics as a way to enforce norms and regulate conflict Functionalists see active social... perspective on data and observations related to the study of power and government Durkheim’s functionalism suggests that societal power and structure is predicated on cooperation, interdependence, and. .. term power elite Consider its original intention as coined by C Wright Mills as well as your understanding of it your current everyday world 6/7 Theoretical Perspectives on Government and Power