This article discusses aspects of population aging in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The demographic parameters of aging are analyzed, as well as their implications for various spheres of Kazakh...

Background: The study of working conditions and the quality of life (QoL) of medical workers has not lost its relevance worldwide. This highlights the need to understand the many aspects of life that may characterize physician performance and satisfaction with working conditions. This is extremely important for providing quality and safe medical care. This research aims to study dentists’ lifestyles and working conditions in the Republic of Kazakhstan and the impact of these indicators on their QoL.Methods: This article presents the results of a cross‐sectional survey of a sociological questionnaire conducted with the participation of 254 dentists in Kazakhstan.Results: Only a third of dentists follow a healthy lifestyle. In total, 39% of dentists currently smoke, and 24% drink alcohol. Dentists with more than 20 years of experience have a worse QoL and have the lowest scores in all domains compared to dentists with less experience. The lowest score was scored for mental health (mean = 51.81). On all scales, dentists who worked more than 40 h a week reported decreased QoL; the lowest score was in the “mental health” domain (mean = 52.80).Conclusion: The QoL of dentists in Kazakhstan is negatively affected by their working hours and long working experience. Measures are necessary to improve their working conditions, work schedule planning, and mental health.

Background. Previous studies from Western countries have shown an association between maternal and infant mortality and sociomedical problems. The social environment, which influences the health status of mothers and infants, is a function of the economic resources and forms of production of different regions. This study, for the first time, includes the study of preventable mortality from Pregnancy, childbirth, and the perinatal period, and Congenital malformations in Kazakhstan in the context of regions. For 2015-2019, maternal mortality decreased by 16.5% in Kazakhstan. However, since the start of the pandemic in 2020, the maternal mortality ratio has increased by 2.7 times, highlighting the urgent need for action. This study aims to provide the latest maternal and infant mortality policy and analyze their mortality ratios. The findings of this study have the potential to significantly impact healthcare policies and practices, making a substantial contribution to the field of maternal and child health. Methods. The regulatory documents related to maternal and child health in the Kazakhstan health system were appraised over the last ten years. To identify changes in avoidable mortality ratio trends for the period 2011-2021, joinpoint regression was used to calculate the average annual percentage change for every age group using the JoinPoint Regression Program, Version 4.9.1.0. Results. Crude mortality associated with pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period was high in the 30-34 age group from 2015 to 2018. From 2019 to 2021, there has been an increase in mortality in the 35-39 age group from 0.48 (95% CI: - 0.06; 1.03) to 4.37 (95% CI: 2.83; 5.91) per 100,000 women. In general, there is a twofold increase in mortality in the period from 2018 to 2021. Treatable mortality from pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium fluctuated between 0.34 and 0.37 from 2015-2019, after which it rose to 1.07 in 2021 per 100.000 population. The highest increase can be seen in Atyrau, South and East Kazakhstan, Karagandy, and Almaty regions. The treatable mortality decreased in Kyzylorda and Akmola regions in the 2015-2021. Conclusion. Several regions need to increase efforts to reduce maternal mortality, which remains high nationally compared to OECD countries. This is the first study to examine the prevention of deaths from pregnancy, childbirth, and the perinatal period, as well as the development of birth defects in Kazakhstan by region, which helps physician decision-makers reconsider possible approaches to providing care at the primary health care level.

Background. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, accounting for 20.5 million deaths in 2021, according to the World Heart Report, and accounting for almost a third of all deaths in the world. Many cardiovascular disease events can be prevented by changes in behavioral risk factors, such as smoking and diet, as well as pharmacological interventions. One solution addressing this issue is disease management, which seeks to enhance healthcare by lowering the expenses of treating chronically ill individuals. Disease management programs effectively enhance care quality and adherence, ultimately reducing the misuse of resources. Aim. To analyze the results of implementing the Disease Management Program in Kazakhstan using chronic heart failure as an example over the years of implementation. Materials and methods. The necessary statistical data on implementing the Disease Management Program in Kazakhstan were collected using the chronic heart failure example. The research material was the Salidat Kayirbekova National Scientific Research Center for Health Development statistical collections and official reports of the Research Institute of Cardiology and Internal Diseases for 2018-2022. Results. The introduction of a disease management system for the management of chronic heart failure at the end of 2013-2022 contributed to a decrease in mortality from cardiovascular diseases by 4.3%, including from hypertension by 12%, coronary artery disease by 4%, and acute myocardial infarction by 4.8%. Quality of care within the healthcare system has advanced: patient coverage has expanded, and training sessions have been arranged for patients and healthcare professionals. Conclusions. These findings highlight the success of the implemented strategies and underscore the importance of continuous monitoring and evaluation to enhance healthcare outcomes further. Overall, the research underscores the positive trajectory of chronic disease management in Kazakhstan, paving the way for future improvements and sustained health benefits for the population. Введение. Сердечно-сосудистые заболевания являются основной причиной смертности во всем мире, на долю которых в 2021 году пришлось 20,5 миллиона смертей и составили почти треть всех смертей в мире (World Heart Report, 2023). Многие случаи сердечно-сосудистых заболеваний можно предотвратить путем изменения поведенческих рисков, в частности по курению и питанию, а также приверженности лечению. Одним из эффективных решений является управление заболеваниями, направленное на улучшение качества ухода за счет сокращения затрат, связанных с лечением хронических больных. Программы управления заболеваниями являются эффективным средством повышения качества ухода, соблюдения рекомендаций и, в итоге, сокращения нецелевого использования ресурсов. Цель проанализировать результаты реализации Программы управления заболеваниями в Казахстане на примере хронической сердечной недостаточности за годы реализации. Материалы и методы. Произведен сбор необходимых статистических данных по реализации Программы Управления Заболеваниями в Республике Казахстан на примере хронической сердечной недостаточности. Материалом исследования были: статистические сборники ННЦРЗ имени Салидат Каирбековой МЗ РК за 2013-2022 года и официальные отчеты КазНИИКиВБ за 2018-2023 года. Результаты. С 2013 по 2022 годы было достигнуто снижение смертности от сердечно-сосудистых заболеваний на 4,3%; включая снижение смертности от заболеваний, связанных с повышением артериального давления на 12%; ишемической болезни сердца на 4% и острого инфаркта миокарда на 4,8%. В рамках программы управления заболеваниями значительно улучшилось качество медицинской помощи: расширился охват пациентов, проведены обучающие курсы, как для пациентов, так и для работников службы здравоохранения. Заключение. Эти результаты подчеркивают успех реализованных стратегий и подчеркивают важность постоянного мониторинга и оценки для дальнейшего улучшения результатов здравоохранения. В целом, исследование подчеркивает положительную траекторию лечения хронических заболеваний в Казахстане, открывая путь к будущим улучшениям и устойчивым преимуществам для здоровья населения....

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted inpatient healthcare systems worldwide, leading to rapid reorganization of hospital capacity, patient flows, and resource allocation. Urban healthcare systems were particularly affected due to high population density and increased demand for services. Objective: To assess changes in the performance of inpatient healthcare services in Almaty from 2017 to 2025, with a focus on differences between pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods. Methods. A retrospective observational study was conducted using aggregated annual data from inpatient healthcare facilities in Almaty. Key indicators included hospitalizations, bed capacity, average length of stay (ALOS), in-hospital mortality, bed occupancy, workload indicators, patient routing, and quality measures. The study period was divided into three phases: pre-pandemic (2017–2019), pandemic (2020–2022), and post-pandemic (2023–2025). Descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and linear regression analysis were applied to assess temporal trends and differences between periods. Results. Hospitalizations increased by approximately 33% from the pre-pandemic to post-pandemic period. Bed capacity expanded during the pandemic and remained elevated thereafter. ALOS decreased over time, indicating improved efficiency. In-hospital mortality increased during the pandemic and declined below pre-pandemic levels in the post-pandemic period. Bed occupancy showed a temporary decline followed by recovery. The pandemic led to a substantial redistribution of bed capacity, with a marked increase in infectious beds. Hospital workload increased significantly, while patient routing shifted toward outpatient referrals. Complication rates declined consistently, indicating improvements in quality of care. Conclusions. The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst for structural transformation of inpatient healthcare services in Almaty. The post-pandemic period was characterized by recovery, improved efficiency, and enhanced quality of care. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening health system resilience and optimizing resource allocation to sustain long-term improvements.

Objective: Pediatric demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system present with heterogeneous neurological impairments and varying clinical courses, often requiring long-term monitoring, immunological evaluation, and multidisciplinary care. The study aims to assess parental perceptions of their child’s health, symptom burden, comorbidities, exacerbation triggers, and access to rehabilitation among children with demyelinating diseases, and to examine associations between key clinical factors and functional outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among parents of 34 children aged 4–18 years hospitalized at Aksai University Clinic. A 39-item questionnaire was developed in accordance with international guidelines and pilot-tested for clarity. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, calculation of 95% confidence intervals (CI), and assessment of associations using odds ratios (OR) and Fisher’s exact test. Results: Neurological symptoms were highly prevalent, including coordination impairment (35.3%), visual disturbances (23.5%), speech disruption (17.6%), sensory deficits (14.7%), and pelvic dysfunction (5.9%). Most children (82.4%, 95% CI: 69.6–95.2) had a history of infections, and respiratory illnesses were common (53.0%). Infections were identified as the leading trigger of exacerbations (35.3%, 95% CI: 19.7–52.8), followed by non-adherence to medical recommendations (26.5%). Functional limitations affected 81% of children. Infection history was significantly associated with functional impairment (OR=3.1, 95% CI: 1.2–7.9; p=0.021), as was the presence of ≥2 neurological symptoms (OR=4.5, 95% CI: 1.1–18.2; p=0.047). Conclusion: Parental reports demonstrate pronounced multisystem involvement, elevated infection burden, and high rates of functional limitations in children with demyelinating diseases. These findings underscore the need for robust infection-prevention strategies, improved support for treatment adherence, standardized referral pathways, and expanded, continuous rehabilitation services for affected children.