Establishing a Twin Registry in Guinea-Bissau

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morten Bjerregaard-Andersen ◽  
Margarida A. Gomes ◽  
Luis C. Joaquím ◽  
Amabelia Rodrigues ◽  
Dorte M. Jensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Monozygotic Twin ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Guinea Bissau ◽  
Health Project ◽  
Sub Saharan

Twins traditionally retain a special status in many African societies. In Guinea-Bissau, twins are often well regarded yet still suffer from a very high mortality, especially in the perinatal and infant period. At the Bandim Health Project, a health and demographic surveillance site, we have recently established one of the first twin registries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our short-term aim is to describe twin mortality and morbidity in order to design appropriate health interventions. Our long-term goal is a large-scale database to explore the pathogenesis of prevalent diseases; for example, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. A major focus area is also the etiology of low birth weight and how epigenetic processes might modulate the consequences of low birth weight in Sub-Saharan Africa. For this, monozygotic twin studies represent a powerful tool. Though twin studies have been carried out by the Bandim Health Project for more than 30 years, the renewed registry described here was officially established in 2009 and includes both a cohort of newborn twins and a cohort of young and adult twins. Currently more than 1,500 twins are being followed in the two cohorts combined. We believe that the registry holds exciting possibilities and will encourage the establishment of further twin registries across the region.

scholarly journals Protocol for a scoping review of neonatal emollient therapy and massage practices throughout sub-Saharan Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 142
Author(s):  
Keona J.H. Blanks ◽  
Milton W. Musaba ◽  
Lily Ren ◽  
Kathy Burgoine ◽  
David Mukunya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Very Low Birth Weight ◽  
Skin Care ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Skin Barrier Function ◽  
Neonatal Skin ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background: Serious infections and other complications from very low birth weight and prematurity are the leading causes of death for neonates worldwide. Infections partly result from the compromised skin barrier function in preterm neonates. Optimal skin care practices for neonates, especially in settings with limited access to adequate hygienic conditions, hold potential to reduce infection and avoid these preventable preterm neonatal deaths. The purpose of this protocol is to support a scoping review of neonatal skin care, emollient therapy and massage practices throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Protocol: The proposed review will follow a methodological framework consisting of the following five steps: (i) identifying the research question, (ii) identifying relevant studies, (iii) selection of eligible studies, (iv) charting the data, and (v) collating and summarizing the results. In addition, we will reflect on the implications of the findings for the feasibility and design of randomized controlled trials to examine the impact of emollient therapy on survival, growth, infection and neurodevelopment of very low birth weight infants in sub-Saharan Africa. We will search domestic and international databases for literature published in English between January 1, 2000, and July 12, 2021. Articles will be chosen based on standardized inclusion criteria. The primary criteria for inclusion will be a report on skin care practices administered to neonates in Africa. Conclusions: Documentation of common neonatal skin care practices throughout Africa has the potential to highlight opportunities for skin care intervention and future research on neonatal skin care practices in sub-Saharan Africa, and support the development of future emollient intervention trials for preterm and low birthweight neonates in low- and middle-income countries.

scholarly journals A multi-year analysis of kangaroo mother care outcomes in low birth weight babies at a Nyakahanga Hospital in rural Tanzania

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 498-508
Author(s):  
Linda A Winkler ◽  
Agnes Stypulkowski ◽  
Shana Noon ◽  
Theophila Babwanga ◽  
Jesca Lutahoire
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Very Low Birth Weight ◽  
Kangaroo Mother Care ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Low Resource ◽  
Popu Lations ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background: Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) requires few specialized resources, reduces mortality, and can be implemented in low resource environments. It is now recommended for implementation around the globe. Objectives: This paper discusses KMC use with low birth weight newborns at a Tanzania hospital providing valuable outcomes assessment of KMC use in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: The research used retrospective records (136 Low Birth Weight (LBW) and 33 Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) ne- onates) supplemented by observations. Data included weights (longitudinal), survival period, and cause of death if it occurred. This hospital’s KMC use and study data began when the mother-baby dyad was referred, usually birth day. Results: This KMC group demonstrated 70% survival, but 77% of deaths occur within 24 hours. After the first 24 hours, KMC survival rate was 92%. Even VLBW neonates (<1000 g) had 37.5% survival among the KMC program. Prematurity and respi- ratory distress caused nearly half of the deaths, but hypothermia (19% of deaths) and infection were factors also. Conclusion: Our study indicates the value of KMC in rural low resource environments. Results are comparable to KMC pro- grams in urban areas where newborns begin KMC after stabilization and better than outcomes reported for comparable popu- lations not practicing KMC in rural sub-Saharan Africa. Keywords: Kangaroo mother care; low birth weight; neonatal mortality; premature infant. 

scholarly journals Relationship between changing malaria burden and low birth weight in sub-Saharan Africa: A difference-in-differences study via a pair-of-pairs approach

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siyu Heng ◽  
Wendy P O'Meara ◽  
Ryan A Simmons ◽  
Dylan S Small
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Malaria Prevalence ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
Difference In Differences ◽  
Malaria Burden ◽  
Percentage Points ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background:According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2018, an estimated 228 million malaria cases occurred worldwide with most cases occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Scale-up of vector control tools coupled with increased access to diagnosis and effective treatment has resulted in a large decline in malaria prevalence in some areas, but other areas have seen little change. Although interventional studies demonstrate that preventing malaria during pregnancy can reduce the rate of low birth weight (i.e. child’s birth weight <2500 g), it remains unknown whether natural changes in parasite transmission and malaria burden can improve birth outcomes.Methods:We conducted an observational study of the effect of changing malaria burden on low birth weight using data from 18,112 births in 19 countries in sub-Saharan African countries during the years 2000–2015. Specifically, we conducted a difference-in-differences study via a pair-of-pairs matching approach using the fact that some sub-Saharan areas experienced sharp drops in malaria prevalence and some experienced little change.Results:A malaria prevalence decline from a high rate (Plasmodium falciparum parasite rate in children aged 2-up-to-10 (i.e. PfPR2-10) > 0.4) to a low rate (PfPR2-10 < 0.2) is estimated to reduce the rate of low birth weight by 1.48 percentage points (95% confidence interval: 3.70 percentage points reduction, 0.74 percentage points increase), which is a 17% reduction in the low birth weight rate compared to the average (8.6%) in our study population with observed birth weight records (1.48/8.6 ≈ 17%). When focusing on first pregnancies, a decline in malaria prevalence from high to low is estimated to have a greater impact on the low birth weight rate than for all births: 3.73 percentage points (95% confidence interval: 9.11 percentage points reduction, 1.64 percentage points increase).Conclusions:Although the confidence intervals cannot rule out the possibility of no effect at the 95% confidence level, the concurrence between our primary analysis, secondary analyses, and sensitivity analyses, and the magnitude of the effect size, contribute to the weight of the evidence suggesting that declining malaria burden can potentially substantially reduce the low birth weight rate at the community level in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among firstborns. The novel statistical methodology developed in this article–a pair-of-pairs approach to a difference-in-differences study–could be useful for many settings in which different units are observed at different times.Funding:Ryan A. Simmons is supported by National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (UL1TR002553). The funder had no role in study design, data collection and interpretation, or the decision to submit the work for publication.

scholarly journals Prevalence of low birth weight and its associated factor at birth in Sub-Saharan Africa: A generalized linear mixed model

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0248417
Author(s):  
Zemenu Tadesse Tessema ◽  
Koku Sisay Tamirat ◽  
Achamyeleh Birhanu Teshale ◽  
Getayeneh Antehunegn Tesema
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Healthcare Decision ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Healthcare Decision Making ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background Low birth weight (LBW) is one of the major determinants of perinatal survival, infant morbidity, and mortality, as well as the risk of developmental disabilities and illnesses in future lives. Though studies were conducted to assess the magnitude and associated factors of low birth weight, most of the studies were at a single center and little information on the regional level. Hence, this study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of low birth weight in Sub-Saharan countries. Method This study was based on secondary data sources from 35 Sub-Saharan countries’ Demography and Health Survey (DHS). For this study, we used the Kids Record (KR file) data set. In the KR file, all under-five children who were born in the last five years preceding the survey in the selected enumeration area who had birth weight data were included for the study. To identify determinants of low birth weight multivariable mixed-effect logistic regression model fitted. Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) and p-value ≤0.05 in the multivariable model were used to declare significant factors associated with low birth weight at birth. Result The pooled prevalence of newborn babies’ low birth weight measured at birth in Sub-Saharan Africa was 9.76% with (95% CI: 9.63% to 9.89%). Female child, women not participated in healthcare decision making, and wider birth intervals, divorced/ separated women, and twin pregnancies associated with increased occurrences of low birth weight, while some level of woman and husband education, antenatal care visits, older maternal age, and multiparity associated with reduced occurrence low birth weight. Conclusion This study revealed that the magnitude of low birth weight was high in sub-Saharan Africa countries. Therefore, the finding suggests that more emphasis is important for women with a lack of support, multiples, and healthcare decision-making problems.

scholarly journals The Guinea-Bissau Twin Registry Update: A Platform for Studying Twin Mortality and Metabolic Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 554-560
Author(s):  
Morten Bjerregaard-Andersen ◽  
Gabriel Marciano Gomes ◽  
Ditte Egegaard Hennild ◽  
Dorte Møller Jensen ◽  
Kaare Christensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Disorders ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Vulnerable Children ◽  
Thrifty Phenotype ◽  
Guinea Bissau ◽  
Twin Registry ◽  
Sub Saharan

AbstractSub-Saharan Africa has the highest natural twinning rate in the world. Unfortunately, due to lack of adequate care during pregnancy, labor and postnatally, twin mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa also remains very high. Thus, it has been estimated that one in five twins dies during the childhood years. In spite of this, surprisingly few twin studies have been conducted in the region, making additional epidemiological data much needed. In 2009, we established one of the first twin registries in Sub-Saharan Africa at the Bandim Health Project in Guinea-Bissau. The registry had two main objectives. First, we wanted to describe the twinning rate and mortality patterns among newborn twins, including mortality risk factors and hospitalization patterns. Such studies can help the local clinicians improve twin health by identifying the most vulnerable children. Second, and in light of the rapidly increasing diabetes rates in Africa, we wanted to use the registry to particularly focus on metabolic disorders. Twins are often born with low birth weight, which according to the ‘thrifty phenotype hypothesis’ could predispose them to metabolic disorders later in life. Yet, no such ‘fetal programming’ data have previously been available from African twins despite the fact that nutritional patterns and influences from other factors (e.g., infections) could be markedly different here compared to high-income settings. In this article, we summarize the findings and current status of the Guinea-Bissau twin registry.

scholarly journals Faktor Risiko Stunting pada anak di Negara Berkembang

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 122
Author(s):  
Indah Budiastutik ◽  
Muhammad Zen Rahfiludin
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽  
Maternal Education ◽  
Linear Growth ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Child Stunting ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Health Organization

Background: The problem of stunting occurs in developing countries including Indonesia. In Indonesia the prevalence of child stunting is 30.8%, still above the world prevalence, which is 22.2%. The prevalence of stunting in sub-Saharan Africa is 34.5%, in Ethiopia is 52.4%, and the prevalence of stunting in Congo is 40%. While WHO stipulates that nutrition problems should not exceed 20%. Stunting could inhibit linear growth, development and degenerative diseases later in adulthood.Objective: This review discussed the risk factors of child stunting in developing countries.Discusion: One of the causes of increased stunting in children was due to inadequate nutritional intake in a long period. Stunting was often not realized by parents and only visible after the age of 2 due to low stature. Based on the results of the literature review the likelihood of stunting in developing country were: 16.43 times morelikely due to low birth length, 3.27 times higher due to maternal education, 2.45 times higher if the children were living in rural area, 4.5 times higher due to low birth weight, no risk Antenatal Care increase the risk 3.4 times, 6.38 times higher due to no immunization, and no exclusive breastfeeding increase the risk of stunting 4.0 times.Conclusion: The risk factor for child stunting in developing countries are exclusive breastfeeding, socioeconomic, low birth weight, length of birth, low maternal education, infectious disease.ABSTRAKLatar Belakang: Masalah stunting (stunting) yang terjadi di Negara Berkembang seperti Indonesia masih tinggi yaitu 30,8% masih  di atas dunia yaitu 22,2%.  Stunting di sub sahara Afrika 34,5%, di Ethiopia  52,4%, prevalensi stunting di Congo 40%. Word Health Organization sudah menentukan bahwa terjadinya masalah gizi suatu negara sebaiknya kurang dari 20%. Stunting memiliki risiko gangguan pertumbuhan, perkembangan dan penyakit degeneratif pada usia dewasa nanti.Tujuan: Review ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi faktor risikos apa saja yang dapat menentukan terjadinya stunting anak di Negara berkembang.Ulasan: Berdasarkan dari beberapa hasil penelitian menyebutkan bahwa salah satu penyebab stunting pada anak adalah karena tidak terpenuhinya gizi yang baik pada kurun waktu yang panjang dan sering kali tidak disadari oleh orang tuanya sehingga setelah anak usia di atas 2 tahun baru terlihat bahwa anaknya mengalami stunting. Berdasarkan hasil literatur review menunjukkan bahwa faktor risiko terjadinya stunting adalah panjang lahir berisiko 16,43 kali, pendidikan ibu yang rendah berisiko 3,27 kali, serta anak yang tinggal di desa berisiko 2,45 kali,  BBLR berisiko 4,5 kali, tidak ANC berisiko 3,4 kali, tidak imunisasi berisiko 6,38 kali, dan tidak ASI Eksklusif berisiko 4,0 kali  adalah merupakan faktor risiko  stunting anak di negara berkembang.Kesimpulan: Hasil sintesis ini secara konsisten yang menjadi faktor risikos terjadinya stunting pada anak di negara berkembang adalah tidak diberikan ASI eksklusif, sosial ekonomi, berat bayi lahir rendah, panjang lahir, pendidikan ibu rendah, penyakit infeksi.

scholarly journals Impact of Malaria during Pregnancy on Low Birth Weight in Sub-Saharan Africa

2004 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 760-769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen L. Guyatt ◽  
Robert W. Snow
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Infant Mortality ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Placental Malaria ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Infant Deaths ◽  
Malaria During Pregnancy ◽  
Sub Saharan

SUMMARY Malaria during pregnancy can result in low birth weight (LBW), an important risk factor for infant mortality. This article reviews the pathological effects of malaria during pregnancy and the implications for the newborn's development and survival. Empirical data from throughout Africa on associations between placental malaria and birth weight outcome, birth weight outcome and infant mortality, and the rates of LBW in areas with various levels of malaria transmission are evaluated to assess the increased risks of LBW and infant mortality associated with malaria. It is estimated that in areas where malaria is endemic, around 19% of infant LBWs are due to malaria and 6% of infant deaths are due to LBW caused by malaria. These estimates imply that around 100,000 infant deaths each year could be due to LBW caused by malaria during pregnancy in areas of malaria endemicity in Africa.

Discrepancy Analysis between Clinical Versus Ultrasound Estimated Fetal Weight and Actual Birth Weight at 3rd Trimester

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-38
Author(s):  
Naznin Rashid Shewly ◽  
Menoka Ferdous ◽  
Hasina Begum ◽  
Shahadat Hossain Khan ◽  
Sheema Rani Debee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Fetal Weight ◽  
P Value ◽  
Weight Estimation ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Fetal Weight Estimation ◽  
Obstetric Management ◽  
Estimated Fetal Weight

Background: In obstetric management fetal weight estimation is an important consideration when planning the mode of delivery in our day to day practice. In Bangladesh low birth weight is a major public health problem & incidence is 38% - 58%. Neonatal mortality and morbidity also yet high. So accurate antenatal estimation of fetal weight is a good way to detect macrosomia or small for date baby. Thus to improve the pregnancy outcome and neonatal outcome decreasing various chance of neonatal mortality and morbidity antenatal fetal weight prediction is an invaluable parameter in some situation where to identify the at risk pregnancy for low birth weight become necessary. Reliable method for prenatal estimation of fetal weight two modalities have got popularity - Clinical estimation and another one is ultrasonic estimation. This study was designed to determine the accuracy of clinical versus ultrasound estimated fetal weight detecting the discrepancy with actual birth weight at third trimester. So that we can verify more reliable and accurate method. Objectives: To find out more accurate and reliable modality of fetal weight estimation in antenatal period during obstetric management planning. To compare clinical versus ultrasound estimated fetal weight & to determine discrepancy of both variable with actual birth weight. Method: This prospective, cross sectional analytical study was carried out in Dhaka Medical College Hospital from January 2006 to December 2006. By purposive sampling 100 pregnant women fulfilling inclusion criteria were included in my study in third trimester (29wks-40wks). In clinical weight estimation procedure SFH (Symphysio Fundal Height) was measured in centimeter. On pervaginal finding whether vertex below or above the ischial spine was determined. By Johnson’s formula fetal weight in grams was estimated. Then by ultrasound scan different biometric measurements were taken and finally by Hadlock’s formula fetal weight was estimated. Eventually actual birth weight was taken after birth by Globe Brand weighing machine. Accuracy of both modalities were compared and which one was more reliable predictor was determined by statistical analysis. Results: After data collection were analyzed by computer based software (SPSS). There was gradual and positive relationship between symphysiofundal height and estimated birth weight. Discrepancy between clinical and actual birth weight at third trimester was statistically significant – Paired Student’s ‘t’ test was done where p value was <0.001. Whereas discrepancy between sonographically estimated fetal weight with actual birth weight was not statistically significant (by paired ‘t’ test where p value was >0.05). That implies discrepancy between ultrasound estimated fetal weight and actual birth weight was significantly less than that of clinically estimated fetal weight. 14% clinically and 46% sonographically estimated fetal weight were observed within £ 5% of actual birth weight. 31% clinical and 42% sonographically estimates observed within 6% to 10% of actual birth weight and 55% clinical and 12% sonographically estimate were >10% of actual birth weight. That is about 88% sonographical versus 45% clinical estimates were within 10% of actual birth weight. Conclusion: There is no doubt about importance of fetal weight in many obstetric situations. Clinical decisions at times depends on fetal weight. Whether to use oxytocin, to use forceps or vacuum for delivery or extend of trial or ended by Caesarian section immediately or no scope of trial to be largely depend on fetal size and weight. So more accurate modality for antenatal fetal weight estimation has paramount importance. In my study sonographically estimated weight have more accuracy than that of clinical estimate in predicting actual birth weight. Sonographically estimated fetal weight is more reliable, accurate and reproducible rather than other modality. J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll, June 2019, Vol.11(1); 32-38

scholarly journals Precision Agriculture for Resource Use Efficiency in Smallholder Farming Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1158
Author(s):  
Cecilia M. Onyango ◽  
Justine M. Nyaga ◽  
Johanna Wetterlind ◽  
Mats Söderström ◽  
Kristin Piikki
Keyword(s):  
Resource Use ◽  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
English Language ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Sub Saharan

Opportunities exist for adoption of precision agriculture technologies in all parts of the world. The form of precision agriculture may vary from region to region depending on technologies available, knowledge levels and mindsets. The current review examined research articles in the English language on precision agriculture practices for increased productivity among smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. A total of 7715 articles were retrieved and after screening 128 were reviewed. The results indicate that a number of precision agriculture technologies have been tested under SSA conditions and show promising results. The most promising precision agriculture technologies identified were the use of soil and plant sensors for nutrient and water management, as well as use of satellite imagery, GIS and crop-soil simulation models for site-specific management. These technologies have been shown to be crucial in attainment of appropriate management strategies in terms of efficiency and effectiveness of resource use in SSA. These technologies are important in supporting sustainable agricultural development. Most of these technologies are, however, at the experimental stage, with only South Africa having applied them mainly in large-scale commercial farms. It is concluded that increased precision in input and management practices among SSA smallholder farmers can significantly improve productivity even without extra use of inputs.

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