scholarly journals Pediatric Palliative Care in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review of the Evidence for Care Models, Interventions, and Outcomes

2014 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 642-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Harding ◽  
Rene Albertyn ◽  
Lorraine Sherr ◽  
Liz Gwyther
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Otieno ◽  
Charles Agyemang ◽  
Razak M. Gyasi ◽  
Anthony K. Ngugi ◽  
Catherine Kyobutungi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The rising burden of chronic diseases in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where health care systems are least developed has led to recent calls for increased investment in chronic care models (CCM) appropriate for low-resource settings. In SSA, limited resources are often allocated to treating acute diseases thus management of chronic conditions is a major challenge for health care systems. A large diversity of CCM exist in the literature but evidence supporting their use has been derived from high income settings. This is the motivation for conducting a systematic review to identify the existing CCM and their relevance and applicability in SSA.Methods and analysis: All peer-reviewed published and grey literature on CCM will be included. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and Global Health Cinahl, African Journals Online, Informit Online, and PsycINFO will be searched to identify relevant articles. OpenSIGLE will be reviewed for grey literature. The articles retrieved will be independently screened for inclusion by two independent investigators while a third reviewer will arbitrate the disagreements. An independent critical appraisal of retrieved studies will be performed using standardized critical appraisal checklists. The data will be extracted from the key elements of CCM. Outcome measures for the effectiveness of the models in the context of SSA will include any reported improvement to the health care service delivery or changes in the health outcomes of patients with chronic illnesses. The study findings will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA).Discussion: This systematic review is expected to generate crucial evidence on the applicability of CCM in SSA and unearth the CCM components that are suitable for different levels of health care delivery systems and the emerging needs of the people living with comorbidities and multimorbidities in SSA.Systematic review registration: This review is registered in PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic reviews CRD42020187756.


Author(s):  
Amanuel Tesfay Gebremedhin ◽  
Hailay Abrha Gesesew ◽  
Tariku Dejene Demissie ◽  
Mirkuzie Woldie Kerie ◽  
Morankar Sudhakar

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii175-ii175
Author(s):  
Ramya Tadipatri ◽  
Amir Azadi ◽  
Madison Cowdrey ◽  
Samuel Fongue ◽  
Paul Smith ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Early access to palliative care is a critical component of treating patients with advanced cancer, particularly for glioblastoma patients who have low rates of survival despite optimal therapies. Additionally, there are unique considerations for primary brain tumor patients given the need for management of headaches, seizures, and focal neurological deficits. METHODS We conducted a survey of 109 physicians in Sub-Saharan Africa in order to determine level of understanding and skill in providing palliative care, types of palliative care therapies provided, role of cultural beliefs, availability of resources, and challenges faced. Demographic data including age, gender, and prior training was collected and analyzed using ANOVA statistical testing. RESULTS Among the participants, 48% felt comfortable in providing palliative care consultations, 62% have not had prior training, 52% believed that palliative care is only appropriate when there is irreversible deterioration, 62% expressed having access to palliative care, 49% do not have access to liquid opioid agents, 50% stated that cultural beliefs held by the patient or family prevented them from receiving, palliative care, and 23% stated that their own beliefs affected palliative care delivery. Older providers (age > 30) had a clearer understanding of palliative care (p = 0.004), were more comfortable providing consultation (p = 0.052), and were more likely to address mental health (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Palliative care delivery to glioblastoma patients in Sub-Saharan Africa is often delayed until late in the disease course. Barriers to adequate palliative care treatment identified in this survey study include lack of training, limited access to liquid opioid agents, and cultural beliefs. Challenges most often identified by participants were pain management and end-of-life communication skills, but also included patient spirituality and psychological support, anxiety and depression, terminal dyspnea, ethics, and intravenous hydration and non-oral feeding.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hafte Kahsay Kebede ◽  
Lillian Mwanri ◽  
Paul Ward ◽  
Hailay Abrha Gesesew

Abstract Background It is known that ‘drop out’ from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment, the so called lost-to-follow-up (LTFU) occurs to persons enrolled in HIV care services. However, in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the risk factors for the LTFU are not well understood. Methods We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of risk factors for LTFU among adults living with HIV in SSA. A systematic search of literature using identified keywords and index terms was conducted across five databases: MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science. We included quantitative studies published in English from 2002 to 2019. The Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-MAStARI) was used for methodological validity assessment and data extraction. Mantel Haenszel method using Revman-5 software was used for meta-analysis. We demonstrated the meta-analytic measure of association using pooled odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI) and heterogeneity using I2 tests. Results Thirty studies met the search criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Predictors of LTFU were: demographic factors including being: (i) a male (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.1–1.3, I2 = 59%), (ii) between 15 and 35 years old (OR = 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.3, I2 = 0%), (iii) unmarried (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.2–1.3, I2 = 21%), (iv) a rural dweller (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.5–2.7, I2 = 40%), (v) unemployed (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.04–1.4, I2 = 58%); (vi) diagnosed with behavioral factors including illegal drug use(OR = 13.5, 95% CI 7.2–25.5, I2 = 60%), alcohol drinking (OR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.9–4.4, I2 = 39%), and tobacco smoking (OR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.6–4.3, I2 = 74%); and clinical diagnosis of mental illness (OR = 3.4, 95% CI 2.2–5.2, I2 = 1%), bed ridden or ambulatory functional status (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.5–3.1, I2 = 74%), low CD4 count in the last visit (OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.9, I2 = 75%), tuberculosis co-infection (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.02–1.4, I2 = 66%) and a history of opportunistic infections (OR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.7–2.8, I2 = 75%). Conclusions The current review identifies demographic, behavioral and clinical factors to be determinants of LTFU. We recommend strengthening of HIV care services in SSA targeting the aforementioned group of patients. Trial registration Protocol: the PROSPERO Registration Number is CRD42018114418


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uchenna O Okafor ◽  
Rik Crutzen ◽  
Yauri Aduak ◽  
Sylvia Adebajo ◽  
Hubertus W Van den Borne

Author(s):  
Panmial Priscilla Damulak ◽  
Suriani Ismail ◽  
Rosliza Abdul Manaf ◽  
Salmiah Mohd Said ◽  
Oche Agbaji

Optimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains the bedrock of effective therapy and management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This systematic review examines the effect of interventions in improving ART adherence in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), which bears the largest global burden of HIV infection. In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, and based on our inclusion and exclusion criteria, PUBMED, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar databases were searched for published studies on ART adherence interventions from 2010 to 2019. Thirty-one eligible studies published between 2010 to 2019 were identified, the categories of interventions were structural, behavioral, biological, cognitive, and combination. Study characteristics varied across design, intervention type, intervention setting, country, and outcome measurements. Many of the studies were behavioral interventions conducted in hospitals with more studies being randomized controlled trial (RCT) interventions. Despite the study variations, twenty-four studies recorded improvements. Notwithstanding, more quality studies such as RCTs should be conducted, especially among key affected populations (KAPs) to control transmission of resistant strains of the virus. Reliable objective measures of adherence should replace the conventional subjective self-report. Furthermore, long-term interventions with longer duration should be considered when evaluating the effectiveness of interventions.


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