Economic Burden of Infectious Diseases and Benefit of Control and Prevention in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract Background Despite the well-documented information on cancer prevention and management, among noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), globally, cancer continues to be the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality with devastating economic consequences. The burden is disproportionately more among developing countries and the extent of evidence available on the economic consequences (direct and indirect costs) of cancer remains unknown in low-income countries particularly in the sub-Saharan region. Understanding the costs of illness is important to inform decision-making on setting up health care policies and informing economic evaluation of interventions. This study aims to map evidence on the distribution of the economic burden (direct and indirect costs) associated with prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of three predominant cancers: prostate, cervix, and female breast in the sub-Saharan Africa. Methods This scoping review will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), and will be conducted following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. We will search PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINHAL (via EBSCOhost platform), Science Direct, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Africa-Wide Information, Google Scholar, and WHO Library. We will perform hand-searching of the reference lists of included studies and other relevant documents. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles, and abstract data. We will include primary studies from all study designs reporting costs associated with prevention, diagnosis and treatment of prostate, cervical, and breast cancers in the sub-Saharan region. Data analysis will involve quantitative (e.g., frequencies) and qualitative (e.g., thematic analysis) methods. A narrative summary of findings will be presented. Discussion This review will map the extent of information available on the economic burden (direct and indirect costs) of prostate, cervical, and breast cancers in the sub-Saharan region. Further guidance for future research in the subject area will be discussed. Systematic review registration Open Science Framework

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Laboratory Diagnostics Performance in Uganda: A Survey of Test Availability and Constraints Across 100 Laboratories

10.21203/rs.3.rs-842323/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Noel Namuhani ◽

Suzanne N Kiwanuka ◽

Martha Akulume ◽

Simeon Kalyesubula ◽

William Bazeyo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Disease Diagnosis ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Essential Medicines ◽

Full Blood Count ◽

Laboratory Diagnostics ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Laboratory Services ◽

Control And Prevention ◽

Sub Saharan

Abstract Background Clinical laboratory services are a critical component of the health system for effective disease diagnosis, treatment, control and prevention. However, many laboratories in Sub Saharan Africa remain dysfunctional. The high costs of tests in the private sector also remain a hindrance to accessing testing services. This study aimed at assessing the functionality of laboratories based on test menus and the associated constraints in Uganda. Methods This cross sectional quantitative study involved an assessment of 100 laboratories randomly selected in 20 districts from four regions of the country. Sixteen percent of the studied laboratories were regional hub laboratories. Laboratory in charges and managers in each of the selected laboratories were interviewed. A checklist for laboratory supplies adapted from the Essential Medicines and Health supplies list for Uganda, (2012) was used to assess availability of testing supplies. Data was analyzed using excel and STATA 14. Results At the point of assessment, generally, all laboratories were able to perform malaria tests and HIV tests. All the hub laboratories conducted malaria tests and TB screening. Less than half had electrolytes tests due to lack of equipment, nonfunctioning equipment and lack of reagents. Full blood count tests were missing in 25% of the hub laboratories mainly due to lack of equipment. The lack of reagents (66.7%) and the lack of equipment (58.3%) caused the majority 10/16 of the hubs to routinely referred specimens for tests that are supposed to be carried out in these laboratories due to lack of reagents (66.7%) and non-functional equipment (58.3%). Although officially recognized as an operational structure, Hub laboratories lacked a list of essential and vital supplies. Conclusions Most laboratories performed well for the common tests. However, many laboratories did not meet testing requirements especially for the advanced tests according to standard testing menus for Uganda due to non-functioning equipment, lack of equipment and reagents. Hubs lack list of essential supplies. Therefore, there is need to provide equipment to laboratories, repair the non-functional ones and develop an essential list of supplies for the hub laboratories.

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Economic burden of caregiving for persons with severe mental illness in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0199830 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. e0199830 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rebecca Addo ◽

Samuel Agyei Agyemang ◽

Yesim Tozan ◽

Justice Nonvignon

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Severe Mental Illness ◽

Economic Burden ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sub Saharan

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There Is a Balm in Gilead

10.5149/northcarolina/9781469661339.003.0006 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 135-164

Author(s):

Dan Royles

Keyword(s):

International Security ◽

The United States ◽

Black Churches ◽

Bill Clinton ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Aids Education ◽

Religious Institutions ◽

Faith Leaders ◽

Control And Prevention ◽

Sub Saharan

This chapter describes the work of The Balm in Gilead, which grew out of the efforts of Pernessa Seele, an immunologist at Harlem Hospital, to organize local Black faith leaders to address AIDS through the Harlem Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS. As Seele trained African American clergy to incorporate AIDS education into their ministry, she also confronted entrenched homophobia in Black religious institutions. Accordingly, The Balm in Gilead designed programs that would help churches accept and include gay members. In 2001, Seele contracted with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to extend her work with Black churches to sub-Saharan Africa, setting up programs in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. She argued that because of Black people’s particular relationship with church and faith, the approach that The Balm in Gilead had developed in the United States would work in Africa as well. At the same time, this work intersected with a growing interest in addressing “global AIDS” among U.S. leaders, including Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, who saw the spread of the disease in Africa as a growing threat to international security.

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Joining forces against infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa

Southern African Journal of Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1080/10158782.2008.11441291 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 2-3

Author(s):

M. Jeffrey Mphahlele ◽

Guido François

Keyword(s):

Infectious Diseases ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sub Saharan

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OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS DIAGNOSED IN PATIENTS INFECTED WITH THE HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) AT THE SERVICE OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF UHC (UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL CENTER) YALGADO OUÉDRAOGO, BURKINA FASO

10.36106/paripex/7006220 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-2

Author(s):

Savadogo M ◽

Diallo I ◽

Sondo K A

Keyword(s):

Infectious Diseases ◽

Hiv Infection ◽

Opportunistic Infection ◽

Antiretroviral Treatment ◽

Opportunistic Infections ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

University Hospital ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Living With Hiv

Introduction: Sub-Saharan Africa remains one of the regions most affected by HIV infection with severe lethality.Most deaths of patients living with HIV are caused by opportunistic infections. Objective: to determine the prevalence of opportunistic infections among patients living with HIV in hospital serving infectious diseases of UHC YO of Ouagadougou. Patients and Methods:This is a cross-sectional descriptive study covering a 14-month period from 1 January 2017 to 28 February 2018. Included were all HIV-positive patients, hospitalized at the service of Infectious Diseases, in which an opportunistic infection was diagnosed on the basis of clinical and/or para-clinical arguments. Results: During the study period a total of 55 patients living with HIV were hospitalized in the infectious disease unit,35 of whom had at least one opportunistic infection or 63.6% of the patients.The average age of patients was 37 years with extremes of 18 and 66 years.Twenty-two patients were female versus 13 male, a sex ratio = 0.59. HIV1 was involved in 97% of patients.The mean TCD4 lymphocyte rate was 156 cell/mm3 with extremes of 7 and 718 cell/mm3.Tuberculosis and digestive mycosis were the most frequently diagnosed opportunistic infections. Opportunistic infection was the circumstance for HIV testing in two patients.She revealed immune restoration syndrome in two other patients.Nineteen patients were already on antiretroviral treatment upon admission to the service.Half of the patients on treatment were in therapeutic failure.The evolution was marked by 26.5% lethality. Conclusion:The frequency of opportunistic infections is high in patients living with HIV.Their prevention requires early detection of HIV infection and antiretroviral treatment.

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The Burden of Infectious Diseases: A Trend Appraisal in Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Trade Blocs

Journal of Scientific Research in Medical and Biological Sciences ◽

10.47631/jsrmbs.v2i3.331 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 104-122

Author(s):

Olufunmilayo Olayemi Jemiluyi ◽

Rebecca Folake Bank-Ola

Keyword(s):

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Infectious Diseases ◽

Prevalence Rate ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Development Indicators ◽

Trade Blocs ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Two Measures ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Southern Africa Development Community

Purpose: The study aimed at presenting a comparative appraisal of the trends of the two most prevalent infectious diseases bedeviling the region: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB). Subject & Methods: Data on fourteen ECOWAS member countries and also fourteen member countries of the SADC bloc. This represents about 93.3% and 87.5% membership of the ECOWAS and SADC blocs respectively. Although the choice of sample size is determined largely by the availability of data, the choices were carefully made to maximize available observation. The data were sourced from World Development Indicators online database published by the World Bank. We use two measures of infectious diseases: the prevalence rate of human immunodeficiency virus and the incidence of tuberculosis. Results: The HIV prevalence rates and incidence of TB were uneven in the two selected trade blocs. The magnitude and the severity of the diseases varied. The burden of both diseases was higher for SADC and lesser for ECOWAS. The average prevalence rate of HIV in the SADC bloc over the study period was 600% of the prevalence rate in ECOWAS (SADC = 12.5%, ECOWAS = 2.1%). Likewise, in the same period, the average TB incidence per 100,000 people was 578.8 and 181.7 respectively in the SADC and ECOWAS blocs. Conclusions: The study finds that the magnitude and severity of the diseases vary widely between the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) trade blocs. And, while concerted efforts at curbing the diseases have yielded results, there is still much to be done in both blocs.

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Surveillance of COVID-19 in Cameroon: Implications for policymakers and the healthcare system

Journal of Public Health in Africa ◽

10.4081/jphia.2021.1415 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Bruno Bonnechère ◽

Osman Sankoh ◽

Sékou Samadoulougou ◽

Jean Cyr Yombi ◽

Fati Kirakoya-Samadoulougou

Keyword(s):

Disease Control ◽

Phenomenological Models ◽

Early Phase ◽

Accurate Estimate ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

African Countries ◽

Healthcare Resources ◽

The World ◽

Control And Prevention ◽

Sub Saharan

Background: At first less impacted than the rest of the world, African countries, including Cameroon, are also facing the spread of COVID-19. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the spread of the COVID-19 in Cameroon, one of the most affected countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: We used the data from the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, reporting the number of confirmed cases and deaths, and analyzed the regularity of tests and confirmed cases and compared those numbers with neighboring countries. We tested different phenomenological models to model the early phase of the outbreak. Results: Since the first reported cases on the 7th of March, 18,662 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 as of the 24th of August, 186,243 tests have been performed, and 408 deaths have been recorded. New cases have been recorded only in 50% of the days since the first reported cases. There are considerable disparities in the reporting of daily cases, making it difficult to interpret these numbers and to model the evolution of the pandemic with the phenomenological models. Conclusion: Currently, following the finding from this study, it is challenging to predict the evolution of the pandemic and to make comparisons between countries as screening measures are so sparse. Monitoring should be performed regularly to provide a more accurate estimate of the situation and allocate healthcare resources more efficiently.

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The Severe Typhoid Fever in Africa Program: Study Design and Methodology to Assess Disease Severity, Host Immunity, and Carriage Associated With Invasive Salmonellosis

Clinical Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/cid/ciz715 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 69 (Supplement_6) ◽

pp. S422-S434 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Se Eun Park ◽

Trevor Toy ◽

Ligia Maria Cruz Espinoza ◽

Ursula Panzner ◽

Ondari D Mogeni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Typhoid Fever ◽

Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽

Natural Infection ◽

Healthcare Facility ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Host Immune Responses ◽

Salmonella Infections ◽

Control And Prevention ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Study Sites

Abstract Background Invasive salmonellosis is a common community-acquired bacteremia in persons residing in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is a paucity of data on severe typhoid fever and its associated acute and chronic host immune response and carriage. The Severe Typhoid Fever in Africa (SETA) program, a multicountry surveillance study, aimed to address these research gaps and contribute to the control and prevention of invasive salmonellosis. Methods A prospective healthcare facility–based surveillance with active screening of enteric fever and clinically suspected severe typhoid fever with complications was performed using a standardized protocol across the study sites in Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Ghana, Madagascar, and Nigeria. Defined inclusion criteria were used for screening of eligible patients for enrollment into the study. Enrolled patients with confirmed invasive salmonellosis by blood culture or patients with clinically suspected severe typhoid fever with perforation were eligible for clinical follow-up. Asymptomatic neighborhood controls and immediate household contacts of each case were enrolled as a comparison group to assess the level of Salmonella-specific antibodies and shedding patterns. Healthcare utilization surveys were performed to permit adjustment of incidence estimations. Postmortem questionnaires were conducted in medically underserved areas to assess death attributed to invasive Salmonella infections in selected sites. Results Research data generated through SETA aimed to address scientific knowledge gaps concerning the severe typhoid fever and mortality, long-term host immune responses, and bacterial shedding and carriage associated with natural infection by invasive salmonellae. Conclusions SETA supports public health policy on typhoid immunization strategy in Africa.

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