Health Challenge In Africa Research Articles

Transforming Healthcare in Africa: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Combatting Infectious Diseases, Neglected Tropical Diseases, and Antimicrobial Resistance

This review article focuses on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in transforming healthcare in Africa, specifically in combatting infectious diseases, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), and antimicrobial resistance. We provide a comprehensive overview of the significance of AI in the healthcare industry, highlighting its urgency and importance in addressing these specific health challenges in Africa. We begin by discussing the role of AI in infectious disease surveillance and outbreak detection. We explore how AI technology can be employed for real-time tracking and prediction of outbreaks, providing examples of successful AI applications in infectious disease surveillance within the African context. Next, we examine the potential of AI-enabled diagnosis and treatment for faster and more accurate diagnoses of infectious diseases and NTDs. We highlight specific examples of AI applications in diagnosing and treating these diseases in Africa, showcasing the potential of AI to improve clinical outcomes and save lives. Furthermore, we focus on how AI-driven drug discovery and development can expedite the search for new treatments for infectious diseases and combat antimicrobial resistance. We present examples of AI applications in drug discovery within the African context, illustrating the potential for AI to revolutionize the development of effective therapeutics. In addition, we delve into how AI-powered public health interventions can enhance the design and implementation of targeted interventions. We explore how AI can optimize resource allocation and facilitate data-driven decision-making processes, providing examples of AI applications in public health in Africa. Finally, we address the challenges and limitations of implementing AI in combatting infectious diseases, NTDs, and antimicrobial resistance in Africa. We discuss potential barriers and ethical concerns surrounding AI applications in healthcare, aiming to encourage informed and responsible utilization of AI technologies. Overall, this review emphasizes the importance and potential of AI in combatting infectious diseases, NTDs, and antimicrobial resistance in Africa. It positions AI as a catalyst for revolutionizing healthcare in the region, leading to more effective disease surveillance, diagnosis, treatment, drug discovery, and public health interventions.

A Comprehensive Review of Malaria Control Strategies in Africa: Historical Perspectives, Policy Frameworks, Innovations, and Future Directions

Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Africa, affecting children under five and pregnant women. Historically, malaria has impacted Africa from ancient Egyptian times to the colonial era, with early control efforts often thwarted by limited resources and political instability. Today, Africa accounts for approximately 94% of global malaria cases and deaths, primarily affecting children under five and pregnant women. Despite progress in some regions, challenges such as financial constraints, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and the need for robust community engagement persist. This review evaluates the role of African governments and regional bodies in malaria control, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive policy frameworks, effective governance, and well-structured National Malaria Control Programs. Innovative strategies and technologies, such as malaria vaccines, genetically modified mosquitoes, and digital tools, offer new avenues for malaria control. However, challenges in implementation, funding, and acceptance need addressing. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, capacity building, community health workers, and public awareness campaigns are crucial for malaria control. Ongoing research and development are essential for advancing malaria control efforts, and indigenous knowledge and local innovations should complement modern approaches for culturally sensitive interventions. In conclusion, achieving a malaria-free Africa demands a multifaceted approach involving historical insights, innovative strategies, strengthened healthcare systems, community engagement, sustainable funding, and continuous research. The collective efforts of governments, international partners, researchers, and communities are pivotal in overcoming malaria and securing a healthier future for millions across the continent. Keywords: Malaria, Africa: Historical Perspectives, Policy Frameworks, Innovations, Future Directions

Epidemiology of Prostate Cancer in Africa: An In-Depth Review

Prostate cancer is a major health challenge in Africa, presenting significant regional disparities in incidence and outcomes. This review provides an in-depth examination of the epidemiology of prostate cancer on the continent, considering a range of factors that influence its prevalence and management. Genetic predispositions, including mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, and HOXB13, play a crucial role, with African populations displaying unique genetic variants contributing to higher incidence rates. Environmental and lifestyle factors, such as diet, physical activity, and substance use, also impact prostate cancer risk. Traditional African diets, rich in fruits and vegetables, may offer protective benefits, while modern dietary patterns and sedentary lifestyles are linked to increased risk. Socioeconomic determinants, including access to healthcare, educational attainment, and financial barriers, significantly affect diagnosis and treatment, often leading to late-stage presentations. Hormonal and biological factors, such as androgen levels and age-related changes, further influence disease development. Infections, inflammatory conditions, and occupational exposures also contribute to risk. Cultural and behavioral influences, including traditional beliefs and health-seeking behaviors, impact prevention and management strategies. The review highlights the challenges faced by healthcare infrastructure and screening programs, emphasizing the need for improved access, public awareness, and tailored interventions. Addressing these factors through comprehensive public health strategies, including enhanced screening, lifestyle modifications, and cultural sensitivity, is essential for improving prostate cancer outcomes across Africa. Keywords: Epidemiology, Prostate Cancer, Africa, Genetic, Biological factor.

A Comparative Analysis of Hypofractionated and Conventional Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Breast cancer presents a substantial health challenge in Africa and marked by a continuous rise in its incidence and prevalence. The complexities of managing breast cancer on the continent are exacerbated by limited access to healthcare resources and high rates of late-stage disease at initial diagnosis. Recent studies comparing hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT), considered cost-effective and non-inferior to conventional fractionated radiotherapy (CFRT), have shown no significant differences in outcomes. This underscores the potential significance of HFRT in breast cancer treatment. Despite encouraging findings from researchers in developing countries, there is a noticeable lack of data on HFRT outcomes, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. This retrospective study analyzed individuals diagnosed with early, locally advanced or oligometastatic cancer, and who underwent treatment between January 2010 and December 2020 at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in the KwaZulu Natal Province of South Africa. Relevant clinical treatment details and follow-up information were retrieved from the patients' medical electronic records. This retrospective study included 645 breast cancer patients, categorized into early (37.7%), locally advanced (59.9%), and oligometastatic (2.4%) stages. Treatment modalities included surgery (100%), chemotherapy (77.8%), endocrine therapy (38.8%), and targeted therapy (4.8%). All patients received radiotherapy, with a predominant utilization of HFRT (83.7%) over CFRT (16.3%). Notably, there was no statistically significant difference (p=0.91) observed in survival probability between patients who received HFRT and CFRT. The findings of this study suggest that, in a low-income setting, HFRT does not exhibit a significant variance in survival outcomes compared to CFRT for breast cancer patients. However, to validate this conclusion, additional large-scale randomized clinical trials are imperative.

Management and outcomes of spinal tuberculosis in Africa: a scoping review protocol

AbstractBackgroundSpinal tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health challenge in Africa, where 85% of the global deaths from TB is recorded. Patients with spinal TB have a high tendency to develop permanent disability, with significant financial costs. Most patients with spinal TB from Africa are unable to receive timely and effective intervention due to several socio-economic factors, deplorable healthcare infrastructure and inadequate specialized workforce. In addition, there is a lack of contextually appropriate evidence-based guidelines for management of this potentially debilitating but treatable condition. This scoping review protocol outlines how the authors aim to investigate the available evidence on the management and outcome of spinal TB in Africa.MethodsAJOL, Embase, Pubmed/Medline, Google Scholar and Conchrane will be searched for articles published on the management and outcome of TB since the inception of the database. All patients from any of the 54 African countries will be included regardless of the socio-demographics.ResultsThe primary outcomes will include the available treatment modalities and the clinical outcomes among patients managed for spinal TB in Africa. Secondary outcomes will include the epidemiology of spinal TB in Africa, information on the availability of diagnostic tools and the challenges faced in the management of spinal TB in Africa, including delays in treatment.DiscussionAnalysis of the outcomes and prognostic indicators will allow for a comparison of patient cohorts and the effectiveness of the different treatment modalities employed across Africa. This scoping review will be the first to address this research question.

Investments for effective functionality of health systems towards Universal Health Coverage in Africa: A scoping review.

The health challenges in Africa underscore the importance of effectively investing in health systems. Unfortunately, there is no information on systems investments adequate for an effective functional health system. We aimed to address this by conducting a scoping review of existing evidence following the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis and preregistered with the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/bvg4z). We included any empirical research describing interventions that contributed to the functionality of health systems in Africa or any low-income or lower-middle-income regions. We searched Web of Science, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and ERIC from their inception, and hand-searched other relevant sources. We summarized data using a narrative approach involving thematic syntheses and descriptive statistics. We identified 554 unique reports describing 575 interventions, of which 495 reported evidence of effectiveness. Most interventions were undertaken in Africa (80.9%), covered multiple elements of health systems (median: 3), and focused on service delivery (77.4%) and health workforce (65.6%). Effective interventions contributed to improving single (35.6%) or multiple (64.4%) capacities of health systems: access to essential services (75.6%), quality of care (70.5%), demand for essential services (38.6%), or health systems resilience (13.5%). For example, telemedicine models which covered software (technologies) and hardware (health workers) elements were used as a strategy to address issues of access to essential services. We inventoried these effective interventions for improving health systems functionality in Africa. Further analyses could deepen understanding of how such interventions differ in their incorporation of evidence for potential scale across African countries.

Regional variations and temporal trends of childhood myopia prevalence in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To provide contemporary and future estimates of childhood myopia prevalence in Africa. A systematic online literature search was conducted for articles on childhood (≤18 years) myopia (spherical equivalent [SE] ≤ -0.50D; high myopia: SE ≤ -6.00D) in Africa. Population- or school-based cross-sectional studies published from 1 Jan 2000 to 30 May 2021 were included. Meta-analysis using Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation was performed to estimate the prevalence of childhood myopia and high myopia. Myopia prevalence from subgroup analyses for age groups and settings were used as baseline for generating a prediction model using linear regression. Forty-two studies from 19 (of 54) African countries were included in the meta-analysis (N=737,859). Overall prevalence of childhood myopia and high myopia were 4.7% (95% CI: 3.3%-6.5%) and 0.6% (95% CI: 0.2%-1.1%), respectively. Estimated prevalence across the African regions was highest in the North (6.8% [95% CI: 4.0%-10.2%]), followed by Southern (6.3% [95% CI: 3.9%-9.1%]), East (4.7% [95% CI: 3.1%-6.7%]) and West (3.5% [95% CI: 1.9%-6.3%]) Africa. Prevalence from 2011 to 2021 was approximately double that from 2000 to 2010 for all studies combined, and between 1.5 and 2.5 times higher for ages 5-11 and 12-18 years, for boys and girls and for urban and rural settings, separately. Childhood myopia prevalence is projected to increase in urban settings and older children to 11.1% and 10.8% by 2030, 14.4% and 14.1% by 2040 and 17.7% and 17.4% by 2050, respectively; marginally higher than projected in the overall population (16.4% by 2050). Childhood myopia prevalence has approximately doubled since 2010, with a further threefold increase predicted by 2050. Given this trajectory and the specific public health challenges in Africa, it is imperative to implement basic myopia prevention programmes, enhance spectacle coverage and ophthalmic services and generate more data to understand the changing myopia epidemiology to mitigate the expanding risk of the African population.

Cervical cancer prevention in Africa: A policy analysis

BackgroundCervical cancer is a major public health challenge in Africa. We analyzed the presence and content of policies for the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of cervical cancer in Africa, to identify areas of opportunity for policy strengthening in the region most affected by cervical cancer globally. MethodsWe searched for publicly-available policy documents among countries in Africa. Using a data extraction form, we gathered data from these policies about key elements of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention approaches and activities based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. We also contacted key stakeholders in each country to confirm these details. We summarized each country’s policy details (summed score for each prevention stage and overall), and compared these scores across individual countries and groups of countries based on economic, policy and public health characteristics. ResultsMost countries had at least one policy addressing some aspect of cervical cancer prevention. Primary and secondary prevention were more commonly addressed, and certain details like age of vaccination, screening age/interval and method, were frequently mentioned in these policies. ConclusionCountries with high HIV burden and relatively more donor financing for health had more comprehensive cervical cancer policies; there was no apparent association with cervical cancer mortality, female representation in government, or economic indicators (poverty prevalence or income inequality). Policy summaryThere is room to improve cervical cancer policy comprehensiveness in Africa, and to bring these policies in line with evidence and expert recommendations. This analysis is timely given upcoming monitoring of the WHO Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer as a Public Health Problem. These findings suggest some improvements in African cervical cancer policy, including increased inclusion of vaccination, but many topics remain under-specified. The influence of internal and external factors on policymaking should also be considered.

Multiple insecticide resistance mechanisms in urban population of Anopheles coluzzii (Diptera: culicidae) from Lagos, South-West Nigeria

Malaria is a major public health challenge in Africa with Nigeria accounting for the highest burden of the disease in the world. Vector control has proved to be a highly effective component of malaria control, however, the development and spread of insecticide resistance in major vectors of malaria have been a major challenge. This study assessed resistance mechanisms in Anopheles coluzzii populations from Kosofe, Lagos mainland and Ojo Local Government Areas in Lagos, Nigeria where An. gambiae s.l is resistant to DDT and Permethrin. WHO susceptibility bioassay test was used in determining resistance status of An. coluzzii to discriminating doses of DDT and Permethrin while synergist assay was used to assess the involvement of monooxygenases in resistance development. Sub-species of An. gambiae s.l (An. gambiae and An. coluzzii) were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) while Allele-Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (AS-PCR) assay was used to detect knockdown mutation (kdr-West; L1014F). Biochemical assays were used in determining the activities of metabolic enzymes. High DDT resistance was recorded in An. coluzzii populations from the three sites. Mortality rate of mosquitoes exposed confirmed Permethrin resistance in Kosofe (50%) and Lagos mainland (48%) but resistance was suspected in Ojo (96%). All specimens tested were confirmed as An. coluzzii with low kdr frequency; 11.6%, 16.4% and 6.7% in Kosofe, Lagos mainland and Ojo respectively. Pre-exposure to synergist (PBO) before exposure to Permethrin led to increased mortality in all populations. Esterase activity was insignificantly overexpressed in Kosofe (p = 0.849) and Lagos mainland (p = 0.229) populations. In contrast, GST activity was significantly lower in populations from Lagos mainland (63.650 ± 9.861; p = 0.007) and Ojo (91.765 ± 4.959; p = 0.042) than Kisumu susceptible strains (120.250 ± 13.972). Monooxygenase activity was higher in Lagos mainland (2.371 ± 0.261) and Ojo (1.361 ± 0.067) populations, albeit significantly in Lagos mainland (p = 0.007) only. Presence of target-site mutation in all populations, increased mortality with pre-exposure to PBO and elevated monooxygenase in Lagos mainland population were confirmed. Multiple resistance mechanisms in some urban populations of An. coluzzii from Lagos, Nigeria calls for appropriate resistance management strategies.

COVID-19 and Other Prevalent Diseases in Africa: A Pragmatic Approach

The aim of this paper is to propose that the development and legitimization of African knowledge and validation systems on a pragmatic basis, is an efficient and effective means of responding to a myriad of health problems plaguing Africans, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic. Whenever there is a novel disease outbreak, the norm is to wait for the development of scientifically proven vaccines for its treatment. However, the scientific validation of drugs is a rigorous and lengthy process, thereby inappropriate for dealing with health emergencies like the COVID-19 outbreak. The alarming rapidity with which the novel COVID-19 pandemic rages globally and decimates humanity has brought to the fore the need for Africa to look inwards in search of viable and efficient alternative approaches to the pandemic. In this paper, I examine pragmatism as a theoretical framework and relate it to proposed African epistemic and validation frameworks with a particular reference to homegrown orthodox and alternative/complementary medicines. I argue that the validation and approval of any knowledge claim based on pragmatism is a more expeditious mode of attending to COVID-19 and other prevalent diseases in Africa. The application of knowledge that brings practical success in dealing with health challenges in Africa without necessarily following rigid and lengthy scientific validation procedures will go a long way toward improving human conditions and well-being. I conclude that pragmatic considerations should ultimately inform local approval to homegrown African medicines for use in Africa.

Effect of Preterm Birth on the Risk of Adverse Perinatal and Neonatal Outcomes in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Despite remarkable progress in the reduction of under-five mortality, the rate of perinatal and neonatal mortality is still high especially in developing countries. The adverse outcome associated with preterm birth is one of the major public health challenges in Africa. However, there are limited and inconsistent studies conducted on the effect of preterm birth on adverse perinatal and neonatal outcomes in Ethiopia. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between preterm birth and its adverse perinatal and neonatal outcomes in Ethiopia. We systematically searched several electronic databases like PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Google Scholar, African Journals Online databases and Science Direct. All identified observational studies were included. The I 1 statistics were used to assess the heterogeneity among the studies. A random-effects model was computed to estimate the pooled effect of preterm birth on adverse perinatal and neonatal outcomes. Thirty-three studies with a total of 20 109 live births were included in the final meta-analysis. Our meta-analysis showed that preterm birth increased the odds of perinatal mortality by 10-folds [POR = 9.56 (95% CI: 5.47, 19.69)] and there was a 5.44-folds risk of stillbirth [Odds Ratio = 5.44 (95% CI: 3.57, 8.28)] among women who gave birth before 37 weeks of gestation. In addition, preterm birth was significantly associated with neonatal hypothermia [OR=3.54 (95% CI: 2.41, 5.21)], neonatal mortality [OR= 3.16 (95% CI: 1.57, 6.34). The sub-group analysis of this meta-analysis showed that there was an increased risk of neonatal sepsis [OR=2.33 (95% CI: 1.15, 4.71)] among preterm babies. Preterm births significantly increased the risk of adverse perinatal and neonatal outcomes in Ethiopia. Therefore, scale-up strategies and improving the quality of maternal and child health care providers should be an area of intervention to reduce adverse outcomes associated with preterm birth. The Federal Ministry of Health and concerned bodies should work towards the prevention of preterm birth and its adverse outcomes.

Factors associated with the awareness of vaginal fistula among women of reproductive age: findings from the 2018 Nigerian demographic health cross-sectional survey

IntroductionInvoluntary leakage of urine and or stool per vaginam (vaginal fistula) after childbirth remains a public health challenge in Africa and South East Asia. To the best of our knowledge,...

Emerging climate change-related public health challenges in Africa: A case study of the heat-health vulnerability of informal settlement residents in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Heat has the potential to become one of the most significant public health impacts of climate change in the coming decades. Increases in temperature have been linked to both increasing mortality and morbidity. Cities have been recognized as areas of particular vulnerability to heat's impacts on health, and marginalized groups, such as the poor, appear to have higher heat-related morbidity and mortality. Little research has examined the heat vulnerability of urban informal settlements residents in Africa, even though surface temperatures across Africa are projected to increase at a rate faster than the global average. This paper addresses this knowledge gap through a mixed-methods analysis of the heat-health vulnerability of informal settlement residents in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The heat exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity of informal settlement residents were assessed through a combination of climate analyses, semi-structured interviews with local government actors and informal settlement residents, unstructured interviews with health sector respondents, a health impacts literature review, and a stakeholder engagement workshop. The results suggest that increasing temperatures due to climate change will likely be a significant risk to human health in Dar es Salaam, even though the city does not reach extreme temperature conditions, because informal settlement residents have high exposure, high sensitivity and low adaptive capacity to heat, and because the heat-health relationship is currently an under-prioritized policy issue. While numerous urban planning approaches can play a key role in increasing the resilience of citizens to heat, Dar es Salaam's past and current growth and development patterns greatly complicate the implementation and enforcement of such approaches. For African cities, the findings highlight an urgent need for more research on the vulnerability and resilience of residents to heat-health impacts, because many African cities are likely to present similar characteristics to those in Dar es Salaam that increase resident's vulnerability.

Towards a regional strategy for resolving the human resources for health challenges in Africa.

### Summary box The decline in child mortality by as much as 75% between 2000 and 2013 in Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea and Rwanda,1 in the Africa region that is famous for its depressing health outcomes, is worthy of celebration. However, before we bring out the drums and dancers, let us deliberate over the sustainability of the gains, scale-up and expansion to the rest of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for implementing the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda or for meeting the Sustainable Development Goal number three (SDG3). We did, but had no other choice than to suspend the euphoria. Until SSA countries crack the nut that keeps the region behind others in the prevention and containment of the issues which pose a major threat to UHC attainment in the region, all other ancillary efforts will continue to function at suboptimum level. The production, distribution and retention of the human resource for health (HRH) are at the heart of the region’s health system performance, which if addressed alongside the other health system elements such as infrastructure, medicines and financing will place the region on the right path towards UHC and SDG 3. The shortage of skilled health workforce (HWF) and inequitable distribution of the available ones which is well acknowledged as the crux of the health inequity and the health outcomes in the region are major sources of apprehension.2–4 The pervasively inadequate human resource …

Elimination of Epidemic Meningitis in the African Region: Progress and Challenges:2010-2016

Epidemics of meningococcal disease constitute a major public health challenge in Africa, affecting mostly the 24 countries of the meningitis belt. These epidemics led to a call for a call for a safe, effective and affordable conjugate vaccine against the major serogroup responsible for recent epidemics by leaders of the region. This paper documents experiences with efforts at eliminating epidemic meningitis in the African Region. The meningoccocal serogroup A conjugate vaccine was developed, licensed and offered to more than 235 million people through mass vaccination campaigns in 16 countries since 2010. Future plans include providing the vaccine to the remaining countries in the African Meningitis Belt and, to implement the vaccine into routine national infant immunization programme and to organise catch-up immunization campaigns every 5 years for unvaccinated <5 year-olds who had missed their routine vaccinations. The success of the project is evidenced by the large declines in cases of group A meningococcal disease since 2010, with no cases reported in vaccinated persons across the 16 countries, reflecting the highly effective nature of the vaccine. The successful control of serogroup A meningococcal disease has highlighted the need to tackle other meningococcal serogroups through development of polyvalent conjugate vaccines with the aim of eliminating epidemics of meningococcal meningitis in the African region.

Contribution of a network of parliamentary committees of health to the ecosystem of evidence use in African parliaments

Despite growing interest in evidence among parliamentarians and some emerging literature on evidence use in decision making in parliaments, there is still a notable gap in knowledge on the ecosystem of evidence in parliaments. This paper seeks to contribute to filling this gap by discussing the contribution of a loose regional network, the Network of African Parliamentary Committees on Health (NEAPACOH), to the evidence ecosystem in African parliaments. Although the network was not set up to strengthen evidence use, its mechanisms for realising its goal of strengthening parliamentary committees of health to effectively tackle health challenges in Africa provide an opportunity for understanding how such networks are contributing to strengthening the weak evidence ecosystem in African parliaments. The authors have been involved in the work of the network and therefore use this network for this study purposively. Data were gathered through document review and 34 in-depth interviews with parliamentarians, parliament staff and development partners. Results show that, in a context of weak institutional support and technical capacity to enable evidence use in African parliaments, the network’s activities respond to some of the key barriers hindering parliamentarians from using evidence, including: limited access to evidence, complexity of evidence, weak capacity to understand evidence, and weak/lacking linkages with researchers/experts. Apart from generating demand, providing evidence, building capacity for increased evidence use, and linking MPs and researchers/experts, the network creates a sense of competition among countries by requiring countries to make commitments and report progress against the commitments annually, which provide impetus for action.

Irene Agyepong: building capacity in Ghana's public health system

As a lead author of the Lancet Commission on the future of health in sub-Saharan Africa, Irene Agyepong's ambition is to make a lasting contribution to health in Africa. “One of my driving passions is building health policy and systems research, policy, and practice capacity in west Africa. To conduct research, to advance research evidence and decision making, and ultimately to improve outcomes”, she says. “I am really interested in transformation and health outcomes, and human development in sub-Saharan Africa. You need a critical cohort—a certain stable capacity, and that is what drives me.” A Specialist of Public Health in the Ghana Health Service (the public provider agency of the Ministry of Health), Agyepong is a Member of the Faculty of Public Health of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons and also undertakes research. Her work combines practical and theoretical strands, always with a view to finding solutions for Africa's health issues informed by her first-hand experience of the health system. The path to longer and healthier lives for all Africans by 2030: the Lancet Commission on the future of health in sub-Saharan AfricaSub-Saharan Africa's health challenges are numerous and wide-ranging. Most sub-Saharan countries face a double burden of traditional, persisting health challenges, such as infectious diseases, malnutrition, and child and maternal mortality, and emerging challenges from an increasing prevalence of chronic conditions, mental health disorders, injuries, and health problems related to climate change and environmental degradation. Although there has been real progress on many health indicators, life expectancy and most population health indicators remain behind most low-income and middle-income countries in other parts of the world. Full-Text PDF

Africa and health: a Commission to accelerate success

The final results of a 4-year project to analyse the challenges and opportunities for health in sub-Saharan Africa are now published as a Lancet Commission—The Path to Longer and Healthier Lives for All Africans by 2030—led by African physicians, health scientists, and policy makers. 1 Agyepong IA Sewankambo N Binagwaho A et al. The path to longer and healthier lives for all Africans by 2030: the Lancet Commission on the future of health in sub-Saharan Africa. Lancet. 2017; (published online Sept 13.)http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31509-X Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (113) Google Scholar Their conclusion is one of qualified optimism, grounded in a rigorous appraisal of new evidence and past experience. The vision of the Commission is that Africans should expect the same opportunities for health by 2030 as all other peoples. But that hopeful message is based on a further proposition—that more of the same, in terms of policies and programmes, is not enough. The path to longer and healthier lives for all Africans by 2030: the Lancet Commission on the future of health in sub-Saharan AfricaSub-Saharan Africa's health challenges are numerous and wide-ranging. Most sub-Saharan countries face a double burden of traditional, persisting health challenges, such as infectious diseases, malnutrition, and child and maternal mortality, and emerging challenges from an increasing prevalence of chronic conditions, mental health disorders, injuries, and health problems related to climate change and environmental degradation. Although there has been real progress on many health indicators, life expectancy and most population health indicators remain behind most low-income and middle-income countries in other parts of the world. Full-Text PDF

Issues in Malaria Communication in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria

Abstract Communication plays an important part in health promotion. Malaria affects millions of people worldwide, and is a major health challenge in Africa. This study seeks to determine the health communication interventions so far used on malaria, find out what has been achieved and suggest the way forward. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, along with documents to address the subject matter. The target population consists of all the people in Enugu metropolis with study population comprising healthcare providers, patients and the general public drawn from Enugu metropolis. Purposive sampling technique was employed in the selection of 130 respondents that were studied. Questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test of independence were used to analyze the data. About 93.8% of the respondents were aware of the interventions on malaria. They have a good knowledge of available interventions on malaria: ITNs (86.2%), IRS (51%), and IPT (20%). The distribution of media friendly intervention was highest for ITN, (47.6%) followed by IRS (26.7%). Also IPT are not only rarely (29.6%) aired and /or received, but also never (30.3%) publicized or received. Interventions on malaria were not independent of mass media interventions (p= 0.007) while the degree of awareness of malaria is independent on the communication avenues (p= 0.378). Health interventions and policy framework to address malaria in Nigeria are available. However, there is need for audience-specific communication and attitudinal change to ensure improved uptake.

Addressing planetary health challenges in Africa.

Drawing on the report of the Rockefeller Foundation-Lancet Commission on planetary health—Safeguarding human health in the Anthropocene epoch, this piece presents a discussion of the implications of the report’s findings and conclusions for Africa. It explores the key planetary health challenges facing Africa and what Africa can do to address them. In addition to highlighting current and future trajectories of key environmental changes in Africa and their implications for health and well-being, this transcript from the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) side event, “Healthy Lives on a Healthy Planet”, identifies a set of priority action Africa needs to take in order to deal with these challenges. It ends with reflections and key recommendations from participants at the regional launch of the report in Nairobi, Kenya, in October 2015.