Assessing the Coverage of E-Health Services in Sub-Saharan Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 56 (03) ◽  
pp. 189-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taiwo Adigun ◽  
Sanjay Misra ◽  
Nicholas Omoregbe ◽  
Davies Adeloye
Keyword(s):  
Electronic Medical Records ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Medical Specialties ◽  
Technical Problems ◽  
Positive Feedbacks ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Health Initiatives ◽  
Sub Saharan

SummaryBackground: E-Health has attracted growing interests globally. The relative lack of facilities, skills, funds and information on existing e-Health initiatives has affected progress on e-Health in Africa.Objectives: To review publicly available literature on e-Health in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA) towards providing information on existing and ongoing e-Health initiatives in the region.Methods: Searches of relevant literature were conducted on Medline, EMBASE and Global Health, with search dates set from 1990 to 2016. We included studies on e-Health initiatives (prototypes, designs, or completed projects) targeting population groups in sSA.Results: Our search returned 2322 hits, with 26 studies retained. Included studies were conducted in 14 countries across the four sub-regions in sSA (Central, East, South and West) and spreading over a 12-year period, 2002-2014. Six types of e-Health interventions were reported, with 17 studies (65%) based on telemedicine, followed by mHealth with 5 studies (19%). Other e-Health types include expert system, electronic medical records, e-mails, and online health module. Specific medical specialties covered include dermatology (19%), pathology (12%) and radiology (8%). Successes were ‘widely reported’ (representing 50% overall acceptance or positive feedbacks in a study) in 10 studies (38%). The prominent challenges reported were technical problems, poor internet and connectivity, participants’ selection biases, contextual issues, and lack of funds.Conclusion: E-Health is evolving in sSA, but with poorly published evidence. While we call for more quality research in the region, it is also important that population-wide policies and on-going e-Health initiatives are contex- tually feasible, acceptable, and sustainable.

scholarly journals Implementation of Provider-Based Electronic Medical Records and Improvement of the Quality of Data in a Large HIV Program in Sub-Saharan Africa

PLoS ONE ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. e51631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Castelnuovo ◽  
Agnes Kiragga ◽  
Victor Afayo ◽  
Malisa Ncube ◽  
Richard Orama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electronic Medical Records ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Quality Of Data ◽  
Sub Saharan

scholarly journals Social Reintegration and Rehabilitation of Obstetric Fistula Patients Before and After Repair in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 5-14
Author(s):  
Atuhaire Shallon ◽  
Oladosu A. Ojengbede ◽  
John Francis Mugisha ◽  
Akin-Tunde A. Odukogbe
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Obstetric Fistula ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Vaginal Fistula ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Social Reintegration ◽  
Open Access Journals ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Sub Saharan

Aims: Social reintegration and rehabilitation of obstetric fistula patients before and after repair enhance their overall status, which may be unattainable even with a successful repair. Nonetheless, there is little traceable documentation about it even with supportive programs and projects, the thrust of this study. Methods: This is a systematic review involving a search of relevant literature from PubMed, Google scholar, PsychINFO, African Journals Online, Australian Journals Online, and open access journals of international organizations such as WHO, UNFPA, USAID, Engender Health, Fistula Foundation and Fistula Care Plus published between 1978 to date. Of the 46 articles identified, 25 were suitable for achievement of this study’s purpose. Results:Sub-Saharan African countries have recognized the overall burden of obstetric fistula and have devised strategies for its holistic management. Most countries have National Obstetric Fistula Strategic Frameworks which emphasize multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary approaches other than medical paradigms. Social reintegration and rehabilitation have been done through the identification of individual patient’s need/s. Projects and programs aiming to combat obstetric fistula and restore patients’ self-worth and dignity are: Lamaneh Suisse, and Delta Survie in Mali, Dimol in Niger,  Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in Burundi, FORWARD in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, Handicap International in Benin Republic, Women For Africa in Ghana and Liberia, TERREWODE and CoRSU both in Uganda, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia in Ethiopia, and others which cut across the region. Conclusions: Effective social reintegration and rehabilitation strategies are still inadequate in Sub-Saharan Africa due to lack of political commitment and inadequate outreach programs. Keywords: obstetric fistula, recto-vaginal fistula, rehabilitation, social reintegration, vesico-vaginal fistula.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Syphilis among Pregnant Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siraj Hussen ◽  
Birkneh Tilahun Tadesse
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Forest Plot ◽  
Pooled Prevalence ◽  
Sub Saharan

Objective. Syphilis is one of the most imperative STIs, caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum. During pregnancy it is associated with disastrous health outcomes in the newborn. In sub-Saharan Africa, study findings on the prevalence of syphilis among pregnant women are highly dispersed and inconsistent. The aim of the current review is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of syphilis in sub-Saharan Africa among pregnant women. Design. Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data Sources. Databases including MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and HINARI and reference lists of previous prevalence studies were systematically searched for relevant literature from January 1999 to November 2018. Results were presented in forest plot, tables, and figures. Random-effects model was used for the meta-analysis. For the purpose of this review, a case of syphilis was defined as positive treponemal or nontreponemal tests among pregnant women. Data Extraction. Our search gave a total of 262 citations from all searched databases. Of these, 44 studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria and comprising 175,546 subjects were finally included. Results. The pooled prevalence of syphilis among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa was 2.9% (95%CI: 2.4%-3.4%). East and Southern African regions had a higher syphilis prevalence among pregnant women (3.2%, 95% CI: 2.3%-4.2% and 3.6%, 95%CI: 2.0%-5.1%, respectively) than the sub-Saharan African pooled prevalence. The prevalence of syphilis among pregnant women in most parts of the region seemed to have decreased over the past 20 years except for the East African region. However, prevalence did not significantly differ by region and time period. Conclusion. This review showed a high prevalence of syphilis in sub-Saharan Africa among pregnant women. The evidence suggests strengthening the screening program during pregnancy as part of the care package during antenatal care visits. Programs focusing on primary prevention of syphilis in women should also be strengthened.

scholarly journals Mapping evidence on the distribution of paediatric cancers in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review protocol

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sehlisiwe R. Ndlovu ◽  
Desmond Kuupiel ◽  
Themba G. Ginindza
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Future Research ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Background Paediatric cancers account for a minor fraction of deaths and hence receive little attention from policymakers. In low-income countries, the absence of comprehensive national paediatric strategies results in a lack of access for a majority of children with cancer. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the burden of childhood cancers is underestimated due to a lack of paediatric cancer registries, poor health care systems and competing healthcare needs. The objective of this study is to map evidence on the distribution of paediatric cancers in the SSA region. Method A scoping review will be conducted to map literature on the distribution of paediatric cancers in SSA. An electronic literature search will be conducted from the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, EBSCOhost (CINAHL and Health Source) and World Health Organization (WHO)/International Agency for Research in Cancer (IARC) (GLOBOCAN databases). We will also search the reference lists of included studies to source relevant literature. A pilot search was conducted to determine the feasibility of the study. Study selection will be guided by the inclusion and exclusion criteria. After charting the data, a descriptive overview of the studies will be presented in a narrative format. An account of the study characteristics will be described in this narrative. The analysis will be mainly based on mapping the country-specific outcomes emerging from the studies, and a numerical summary of these outcomes will be conducted. Tables, maps and charts will be produced and presented in the result section. Discussion This review study will identify existing research gaps for future research to influence policy implementation and to improve the availability of diagnosis and treatment of paediatric cancers in SSA.

scholarly journals Mixed-methods feasibility study of blood pressure self-screening for hypertension detection

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. e027986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Tompson ◽  
Susannah Fleming ◽  
Mei-Man Lee ◽  
Mark Monahan ◽  
Sue Jowett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Medical Record ◽  
Electronic Medical Records ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Hypertension Detection ◽  
Technical Problems ◽  
The Cost

ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility of using a blood pressure (BP) self-measurement kiosk—a solid-cuff sphygmomanometer combined with technology to integrate the BP readings into patient electronic medical records— to improve hypertension detection.DesignA concurrent mixed-methods feasibility study incorporating observational and qualitative interview components.SettingTwo English general practitioner (GP) surgeries.ParticipantsAdult patients registered at participating surgeries. Staff working at these sites.InterventionsBP self-measurement kiosks were placed in the waiting rooms for a 12-month period between 2015 and 2016 and compared with a 12-month control period prior to installation.Outcome measures(1) The number of patients using the kiosk and agreeing to transfer of their data into their electronic medical records; (2) the cost of using a kiosk compared with GP/practice nurse BP screening; (3) qualitative themes regarding use of the equipment.ResultsOut of 15 624 eligible patients, only 186 (1.2%, 95% CI 1.0% to 1.4%) successfully used the kiosk to directly transfer a BP reading into their medical record. For a considerable portion of the intervention period, no readings were transferred, possibly indicating technical problems with the transfer link. A comparison of costs suggests that at least 52.6% of eligible patients would need to self-screen in order to bring costs below that of screening by GPs and practice nurses. Qualitative interviews confirmed that both patients and staff experienced technical difficulties, and used alternative methods to enter BP results into the medical record.ConclusionsWhile interviewees were generally positive about checking BP in the waiting room, the electronic transfer system as tested was neither robust, effective nor likely to be a cost-effective approach, thus may not be appropriate for a primary care environment. Since most of the cost of a kiosk system lies in the transfer mechanism, a solid-cuff sphygmomanometer and manual entry of results may be a suitable alternative.

scholarly journals Aflatoxin Exposure in Developing Countries: The Critical Interface of Agriculture and Health

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (2_suppl2) ◽  
pp. S372-S380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Paul Wild
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Intervention Strategies ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Growth Faltering ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Agricultural Setting

Background Aflatoxins are common contaminants of staple foods in sub-Saharan Africa. These toxins are human liver carcinogens, especially in combination with chronic infection with hepatitis B virus. However, in an agricultural setting, the effects on growth, immune status, and susceptibility to infectious disease in farm animals are also well recognized. These latter effects have been far less explored in human populations. Objectives To review some of the more recent work on aflatoxins where the health outcomes seen in the agricultural setting, including growth impairment and immune suppression, have been investigated in human populations. The paper draws largely on examples from West Africa. The paper also sets out how knowledge gained about aflatoxins in the agricultural setting can be used to design intervention studies in human populations. Methods A review of the relevant literature. Results Human exposure to aflatoxins begins early in life, and recent studies in West Africa have demonstrated an association between exposure and growth faltering, particularly stunting, in young children. At present the underlying mechanisms for the latter effects are unknown but may include impairment of immunity and increased susceptibility to infections. Simple postharvest intervention strategies were successful in reducing aflatoxin exposure in a subsistence farm setting, providing a rationale for prevention of aflatoxin-related disease. Conclusions There are potential benefits to public health from intervention strategies combining expertise in the agricultural and health settings to address the aflatoxin problem.

scholarly journals Authoritarian Emigration States: Soft Power and Cross-Border Mobility in the Middle East

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerasimos Tsourapas
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Soft Power ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Development Aid ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Developmental Needs ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Policy Goals ◽  
Sub Saharan

Can labor emigration form part of a state’s foreign policy goals? The relevant literature links emigration to states’ developmental needs, which does not explain why some states choose to economically subsidize their citizens’ emigration. This article explores for the first time the soft power importance of high-skilled emigration from authoritarian emigration states. It finds that the Egyptian state under Gamal Abdel Nasser employed labor emigration for two distinct purposes linked to broader soft power interests: first, as an instrument of cultural diplomacy to spread revolutionary ideals of Arab unity and anti-imperialism across the Middle East; second, as a tool for disseminating development aid, particularly in Yemen and sub-Saharan Africa. Drawing on Arabic and non-Arabic primary sources, the article identifies the interplay between foreign policy and cross-border mobility, while also sketching an evolving research agenda on authoritarian emigration states’ policy-making.

Analysis of the Performance of Microfinance Institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa

2022 ◽  
pp. 188-206
Author(s):  
Lawrence Jide Jones-Esan
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Financial Sector ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Industrial Crisis ◽  
Medium Enterprises

This chapter examines the performance of microfinance institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa through observations from different perspectives. It examined the effects of microfinance institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. Relevant literature on the sustainability and outreach of microfinance institutions are also analysed in this chapter. Sub-Saharan Africa's future achievement of necessary economic growth is very likely to depend partly on its ability to develop its economic and financial sectors to be more inclusive of small and medium enterprises in a more comprehensive way. Currently, microfinance directly promotes the development of the intermediate financial sector in Africa, which is positively correlated with economic growth. Despite the worsening of the current industrial crisis, microfinance is seen as an essential developmental tool and continues to grow in Sub-Saharan Africa.

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