scholarly journals The toll of COVID-19 on African children: A descriptive analysis on the COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality among the pediatric population in Sub-Saharan Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabina Rodriguez Velasquez ◽  
Lea Jacques ◽  
Jyoti Dalal ◽  
Paolo Sestito ◽  
Zahra Habibi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cumulative Incidence ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Regional Office ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics

Introduction: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, very little data on the epidemiological characteristics among the pediatric population in Africa has been published. This paper examines the age and sex distribution of the morbidity and mortality rate in children with COVID-19 and compares it to the adult population within 15 Sub-Saharan African countries. Methods: A merge line listing dataset using a reverse engineering model shared by countries within the Regional Office for Africa was analyzed. Patients diagnosed within 1 March 2020 and 1 September 2020 with confirmed positive RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 were analyzed. Children data were stratified into three age groups: 0-4 years, 5-11 years, and 12-17 years, while adults were combined. The cumulative incidence of cases including its medians and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results: 9% of the total confirmed cases and 2.4% of the reported deaths were pediatric cases. The 12-17 age group in all 15 countries showed the highest cumulative incidence proportion in children. COVID-19 cases in males and females under the age of 18 were evenly distributed. Among adults, a higher case incidence per 100,000 people was observed compared to children. Conclusion: The cases and deaths within the children population was smaller than the adult population. These differences can reflect biases in COVID-19 testing protocols and reporting implemented by countries, highlighting the need for more extensive investigation and focus on the effects of COVID-19 in children.

scholarly journals The Need for the Right Socio-Economic and Cultural Fit in the COVID-19 Response in Sub-Saharan Africa: Examining Demographic, Economic Political, Health, and Socio-Cultural Differentials in COVID-19 Morbidity and Mortality

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 3445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andre Renzaho
Keyword(s):  
Global Economy ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Peace Building ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Tax Regimes ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Political Health

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread quickly across the globe with devastating effects on the global economy as well as the regional and societies’ socio-economic fabrics and the way of life for vast populations. The nonhomogeneous continent faces local contextual complexities that require locally relevant and culturally appropriate COVID-19 interventions. This paper examines demographic, economic, political, health, and socio-cultural differentials in COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. The health systems need to be strengthened through extending the health workforce by mobilizing and engaging the diaspora, and implementing the International Health Regulations (2005) core capacities. In the absence of adequate social protection and welfare programs targeting the poor during the pandemic, sub-Saharan African countries need to put in place flexible but effective policies and legislation approaches that harness and formalise the informal trade and remove supply chain barriers. This could include strengthening cross-border trade facilities such as adequate pro-poor, gender-sensitive, and streamlined cross-border customs, tax regimes, and information flow. The emphasis should be on cross-border infrastructure that not only facilitates trade through efficient border administration but can also effectively manage cross-border health threats. There is an urgent need to strengthen social protection systems to make them responsive to crises, and embed them within human rights-based approaches to better support vulnerable populations and enact health and social security benefits. The COVI-19 response needs to adhere to the well-established ‘do no harm’ principle to prevent further damage or suffering as a result of the pandemic and examined through local lenses to inform peace-building initiatives that may yield long-term gains in the post-COVID-19 recovery efforts.

TRACKING CHANGES IN STATES OF CONTRACEPTIVE USE OVER TIME IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA THROUGH COHORT AND PERIOD ANALYSES

2014 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
ELIZABETH LEAHY MADSEN ◽  
BERNICE KUANG ◽  
JOHN ROSS
Keyword(s):  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Younger Women ◽  
Health Survey Data ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Representative Samples ◽  
Unmet Need For Contraception

SummaryIt is difficult to gauge the success of programmatic efforts to reduce unmet need for contraception without knowing whether individual women have had their need met and adopted contraception. However, the number of true longitudinal datasets tracking the transition of panels of individual women in and out of states of contraceptive use is limited. This study analyses changes in contraceptive use states using Demographic and Health Survey data for 22 sub-Saharan African countries. A cohort approach, tracking representative samples of five-year age groups longitudinally across surveys, as well as period-based techniques, are applied to indicate whether new users of contraception have been drawn from women who previously had no need and/or those who had unmet need for family planning. The results suggest that a greater proportion of increases in contraceptive use in recent years can be attributed to decreases in the percentage of women with no need, especially among younger women, than to decreases in the proportion with unmet need.

scholarly journals Spectrum of heart diseases in children presenting to a paediatric cardiac echocardiography clinic in the Lake Zone of Tanzania: a 7 years overview

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antke Zuechner ◽  
Tumaini Mhada ◽  
Naizihijwa G. Majani ◽  
Godwin G. Sharau ◽  
William Mahalu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Diseases ◽  
Interventional Therapy ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Interventional Treatment ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Lake Zone ◽  
Infancy And Childhood ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Background Congenital heart diseases (CHD) are among the most common congenital malformations. It is estimated that the incidence of CHD is constant worldwide, but data are rare for most African countries including Tanzania. Even less data are available on the prevalence of acquired heart diseases (AHD) in African children. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the leading cause of AHD and is remaining a public health concern in Sub-Saharan Africa affecting especially the younger population. Both, CHD and AHD contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality during infancy and childhood. Methods This hospital-based, retrospective review of the registry at the paediatric cardiac clinic of Bugando Medical Centre in the Lake Zone of Tanzania analysed the spectrum of heart diseases of paediatric patients during their first presentation by using simple descriptive statistics. Results Between September 2009 and August 2016, a total of 3982 patients received cardiac evaluation including echocardiography studies. 1830 (46.0%) pathologic findings were described, out of these 1371 (74.9%) patients had CHD, whereas 459 (25.1%) presented with AHD. 53.9% of the patients with CHD were female and the most common associated syndrome was Down syndrome in 12.8% of patients. In 807 patients (58.9%) diagnosis of CHD was established within the first year of life. The majority of patients (60.1%) were in need of surgical or interventional therapy at time of diagnosis and 6.3% of patients were judged inoperable at the time of first presentation. Nearly 50% of cases with AHD were RHDs followed by dilated cardiomyopathy and pulmonary hypertension without underlying CHD. Conclusions The spectrum of CHD and AHD from one centre in Tanzania is comparable to findings reported in other countries from the African continent. Echocardiography is a valuable diagnostic tool and the widespread use of it should be enhanced to diagnose heart diseases in a large number and reasonable time. Most patients present late and majority is in need of surgical or interventional treatment, which is still not readily available. Untreated heart diseases contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality during infancy and childhood. Adequate cardiac services should be established and strengthened.

scholarly journals Maternal cumulative prevalence measures of child mortality show heavy burden in sub-Saharan Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (8) ◽  
pp. 4027-4033 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Smith-Greenaway ◽  
Jenny Trinitapoli
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Infant Mortality ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Infant Mortality Rate ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Offspring Mortality ◽  
Cumulative Prevalence

We advance a set of population-level indicators that quantify the prevalence of mothers who have ever experienced an infant, under 5-y-old child, or any-age child die. The maternal cumulative prevalence of infant mortality (mIM), the maternal cumulative prevalence of under 5 mortality (mU5M), and the maternal cumulative prevalence of offspring mortality (mOM) bring theoretical and practical value to a variety of disciplines. Here we introduce maternal cumulative prevalence measures of mortality for multiple age groups of mothers in 20 sub-Saharan African countries with Demographic and Health Surveys data spanning more than two decades. The exercise demonstrates the persistently high prevalence of African mothers who have ever experienced a child die. In some African countries, more than one-half of 45- to 49-y-old mothers have experienced the death of a child under age 5, and nearly two-thirds have experienced the death of any child, irrespective of age. Fewer young mothers have experienced a child die, yet in many countries, up to one-third have. Our results show that the mIM and mU5M can follow distinct trajectories from the infant mortality rate (IMR) and under 5 mortality rate (U5MR), offering an experiential view of mortality decline that annualized measures conceal. These measures can be adapted to quantify the prevalence of recurrent offspring mortality (mROM) and calculated for subgroups to identify within-country inequality in the mortality burden. These indicators can be used to improve current understandings of mortality change, bereavement as a public health threat, and population dynamics.

scholarly journals Perception of Malaria Chemoprevention Interventions in Infants and Children in Eight Sub-Saharan African Countries: An End User Perspective Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 75
Author(s):  
Céline Audibert ◽  
André-Marie Tchouatieu
Keyword(s):  
Health Workers ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Intermittent Preventive Treatment ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
End User ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Preventive Chemotherapy ◽  
High Staff Turnover ◽  
Sub Saharan

Preventive chemotherapy interventions have been identified as key tools for malaria prevention and control. Although a large number of publications have reported on the efficacy and safety profile of these interventions, little literature exists on end-user experience. The objective of this study was to provide insights on the perceptions and attitudes towards seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) and intermittent preventive treatment of infants (IPTi) to identify drivers of and barriers to acceptance. A total of 179 in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with community health workers (CHWs), health center managers, parents of children receiving chemoprevention, and national decision makers across eight countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The transcribed verbatim responses were coded and analyzed using a thematic approach. Findings indicate that, although SMC is largely accepted by end users, coverage remained below 100%. The main causes mentioned were children’s absenteeism, children being sick, parents’ reluctance, and lack of staff. Regarding IPTi, results from participants based in Sierra Leone showed that the intervention was generally accepted and perceived as efficacious. The main challenges were access to water, crushing the tablets, and high staff turnover. SMC and IPTi are perceived as valuable interventions. Our study identified the key elements that need to be considered to facilitate the expansion of these two interventions to different geographies or age groups.

scholarly journals Profile of Hepatitis B Sero Markers Among Blood Donors Attending Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto-Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 412-417
Author(s):  
Hussaini Mohammed Alhassan ◽  
Saudetu Haruna Shinkafi ◽  
Ibrahim Yakubu ◽  
Hamisu Abdullahi ◽  
Ahmad Hamidu Marafa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Test Component ◽  
Sub Saharan

Introduction: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is a double-stranded circular DNA virus, it is one of the major blood transmissible infections. The prevalence of HBV is highest in sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia, where 5-20% of the adult population are infected. In Africa, up to 15 to 60% of the population are positive for at least one of the serological markers of HBV. This study aimed to determine the prevalence markers of HBV among prospective blood donors in Sokoto. Materials/methods: About 170 blood donors were randomly recruited into this research study and 5ml of blood was aseptically collected from each of the research participants, the sample was screened for Hepatitis B virus, using a rapid step-wise HBV-5 panel immunoassay of Combo Cassette Manufactured by Lusys Laboratories Inc U.S.A. The HBV-5 is capable of detecting HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb and HBcAb simultaneously. The test component was opened from the notch, and the device was removed, 2-3 drops (60-90µl) plasma sample was added into the sample wells in the device. The result was read within 15 minutes. Results: The prevalence rates of the markers are HBsAg 8(4.7%), HBeAg 1(0.6%), HBsAb 7(4.1%), HbeAb 8(4.7%), and HBcAb 9(5.3%). Donors aged (20-30) years had the highest prevalence rate of HBV infection compared to other age groups. Male blood donors had higher seropositivity for the five markers than their female counterpart. The prevalence of HBV markers was high among the First time donors (non-vaccinated donors) who have a higher prevalence than other donors (vaccinated donors). Conclusion: This study has shown that screening for HBsAg alone may not be sufficient for the diagnosis of hepatitis B virus infection, and thus other markers should be included in the routine screening.

scholarly journals Spectrum of Heart diseases in Children presenting to a Paediatric Cardiac Echocardiography Clinic in the Lake Zone of Tanzania: a 7 years overview

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antke Zuechner ◽  
Tumaini Mhada ◽  
Naizihijwa G Majani ◽  
Godwin G Sharau ◽  
William Mahalu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Diseases ◽  
Interventional Therapy ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Interventional Treatment ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Lake Zone ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Rheumatic Heart

Abstract Background Congenital heart diseases (CHD) are among the most common congenital malformations. It is estimated that the incidence of CHD is constant worldwide, but data are rare for most African countries including Tanzania. Even less data are available on the prevalence of acquired heart diseases (AHD) in African children. Rheumatic heart disease is the leading cause of AHD and is remaining a public health concern in Sub-Saharan Africa affecting especially the younger population. Both, CHD and AHD contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality during infancy and childhood.Methods This hospital-based, retrospective review of the registry at the paediatric cardiac clinic of Bugando Medical Centre in the Lake Zone of Tanzania analysed the spectrum of heart diseases of paediatric patients during their first presentation by using simple descriptive statistics.Results Between September 2009 and August 2016, a total of 3982 patients received cardiac evaluation including echocardiography studies. 1830 (46.0%) pathologic findings were described, out of these 1371 (74.9%) patients had CHD, whereas 459 (25.1%) presented with AHD. 53.9% of the patients with CHD were female and the most common associated syndrome was Down syndrome in 12.8% of patients. In 807 patients (58.9%) diagnosis of CHD was established within the first year of life. The majority of patients (60.1%) were in need of surgical or interventional therapy at time of diagnosis and 6.3% of patients were judged inoperable at the time of first presentation. Nearly 50% of cases with AHD were rheumatic heart diseases followed by dilated cardiomyopathy and pulmonary hypertension without underlying CHD.Conclusions The spectrum of CHD and AHD from one centre in Tanzania is comparable to findings reported in other countries from the African continent. Echocardiography is a valuable diagnostic tool and the widespread use of it should be enhanced to diagnose heart diseases in a large number and reasonable time. Most patients present late and majority is in need of surgical or interventional treatment, which is still not readily available. Untreated heart diseases contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality during infancy and childhood. Adequate cardiac services should be established and strengthened.

scholarly journals Socio-economic differences in disability by age in sub-Saharan Africa: A cross-national study using the World Health Survey

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 134
Author(s):  
Yentéma Onadja ◽  
Simona Bignami ◽  
Maria-Victoria Zunzunegui
Keyword(s):  
Health Survey ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
World Health ◽  
National Study ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Afrique Subsaharienne ◽  
World Health Survey ◽  
Sub Saharan

This study aims to examine the relationship between socio-economic status (as measured by education) and multiple disability measures among adults in eighteen sub-Saharan African countries, and to determine whether the strength of this relationship varies across age groups. The analysis uses data drawn from the 2002–04 World Health Survey. The findings indicate that low education is positively associated with poor functional health, and the functional health gap between educational levels remains stable across age. These findings suggest that in sub-Saharan African countries, the undereducated are less successful in postponing disability to later ages.Cette étude examine la relation entre le niveau d’éducation et les incapacités parmi les adultes dans 18 pays d’Afrique subsaharienne, et détermine si cette relation varie selon les groupes d’âge. L’analyse a utilisé les données de l’enquête mondiale de santé 2002–2004. Nos résultats indiquent que le manque d'éducation était positivement associé à des niveaux plus élevés d'incapacités, et le différentiel d’état de santé fonctionnelle entre les différents niveaux d'éducation augmentait entre les groupes d’âges. Ces résultats suggèrent qu’en Afrique subsaharienne, les individus faiblement éduqués ont moins de succès dans le report de l’incapacité dans la vieillesse.

scholarly journals Spectrum of Heart diseases in Children presenting to a Paediatric Cardiac Echocardiography Clinic in the Lake Zone of Tanzania: a 7 years overview

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antke Zuechner ◽  
Tumaini Mhada ◽  
Naizihijwa G Majani ◽  
Godwin G Sharau ◽  
William Mahalu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Diseases ◽  
Interventional Therapy ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Interventional Treatment ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Lake Zone ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Rheumatic Heart

Abstract Background Congenital heart diseases (CHD) are among the most common congenital malformations. It is estimated that the incidence of CHD is constant worldwide, but data are rare for most African countries including Tanzania. Even less data are available on the prevalence of acquired heart diseases (AHD) in African children. Rheumatic heart disease is the leading cause of AHD and is remaining a public health concern in Sub-Saharan Africa affecting especially the younger population. Both, CHD and AHD contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality during infancy and childhood.Methods This hospital-based, retrospective review of the registry at the paediatric cardiac clinic of Bugando Medical Centre in the Lake Zone of Tanzania analysed the spectrum of heart diseases of paediatric patients during their first presentation by using simple descriptive statistics.Results Between September 2009 and August 2016, a total of 3982 patients received cardiac evaluation including echocardiography studies. 1830 (46.0%) pathologic findings were described, out of these 1371 (74.9%) patients had CHD, whereas 459 (25.1%) presented with AHD. 53.9% of the patients with CHD were female and the most common associated syndrome was Down syndrome in 12.8% of patients. In 807 patients (58.9%) diagnosis of CHD was established within the first year of life. The majority of patients (60.1%) were in need of surgical or interventional therapy at time of diagnosis and 6.3% of patients were judged inoperable at the time of first presentation. Nearly 50% of cases with AHD were rheumatic heart diseases followed by dilated cardiomyopathy and pulmonary hypertension without underlying CHD.Conclusions The spectrum of CHD and AHD from one centre in Tanzania is comparable to findings reported in other countries from the African continent. Echocardiography is a valuable diagnostic tool and the widespread use of it should be enhanced to diagnose heart diseases in a large number and reasonable time. Most patients present late and majority is in need of surgical or interventional treatment, which is still not readily available. Untreated heart diseases contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality during infancy and childhood. Adequate cardiac services should be established and strengthened.

scholarly journals Microbiology and Safety of Ogi Fermentation: A Review

2020 ◽  
pp. 90-100
Author(s):  
Abosede Margaret Adisa ◽  
Victor N. Enujiugha
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Food Poisoning ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
West African ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Weaning Food ◽  
Breakfast Cereal ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Good Hygiene

Ogi a widely consumed breakfast cereal in Nigeria and other West African countries plays an important role in the nutrition and economy of many of the populace, especially among the under-privileged as its consumption cut across all age groups. It is significant for its application as a cheap and convenient weaning food for children, breakfast and soft meal for adult, convalescents, pregnant and nursing women. This paper is aimed at reviewing the production of ogi from different cereals, which maize (Zea mays), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and millet (Penisetum glaucum). The microflora of ogi is mainly dominated by lactic acid bacteria which are generally regarded as safe with Lactobacillus plantarum dominating and certain beneficial fungal species which belong to the genus Saccharomyces and Aspergillus niger. The safety of the potential microorganisms which are responsible for the fermentation of the product from the various substrates is also of vital importance.  The importance of good hygiene practice to reduce post production re- contamination of the product which could possibly lead to food poisoning especially at the grassroot level is also considered. The widespread use of ogi as a weaning food for children in sub-Saharan Africa makes this review very significant and relevant.

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