Middle-income Countries In Africa Research Articles

Perceptions of the seriousness of major public health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic in seven middle-income countries

IntroductionPublic perception of the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to six other major public health problems (alcoholism and drug use, HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, lung cancer and respiratory diseases caused by air pollution and smoking, and water-borne diseases like diarrhea) is unclear. We designed a survey to examine this issue using YouGov’s internet panels in seven middle-income countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America in early 2022.MethodsRespondents rank ordered the seriousness of the seven health problems using a repeated best-worst question format. Rank-ordered logit models allow comparisons within and across countries and assessment of covariates.ResultsIn six of the seven countries, respondents perceived other respiratory illnesses to be a more serious problem than COVID-19. Only in Vietnam was COVID-19 ranked above other respiratory illnesses. Alcoholism and drug use was ranked the second most serious problem in the African countries. HIV/AIDS ranked relatively high in all countries. Covariates, particularly a COVID-19 knowledge scale, explained differences within countries; statistics about the pandemic were highly correlated with differences in COVID-19’s perceived seriousness.ConclusionsPeople in the seven middle-income countries perceived COVID-19 to be serious (on par with HIV/AIDS) but not as serious as other respiratory illnesses. In the African countries, respondents perceived alcoholism and drug use as more serious than COVID-19. Our survey-based approach can be used to quickly understand how the threat of a newly emergent disease, like COVID-19, fits into the larger context of public perceptions of the seriousness of health problems.

NIH-supported implementation science and nutrition research: a portfolio review of the past decade.

This portfolio analysis aims to describe the scope of NIH-funded extramural research grants at the intersection of nutrition research and implementation science (IS) from 2011 to 2022 and to offer insights into future research opportunities relevant to the Strategic Plan for NIH Nutrition Research 2020-2030. A portfolio analysis of funded grants using NIH reporting systems was conducted to identify nutrition research and IS awarded between fiscal years 2011 and 2022. The authors screened the titles and abstracts for inclusion criteria: research and career development awards involved a nutrition and/or dietary intervention and measured a stated implementation outcome or used an IS theory, model, or framework. In total, 33 NIH-funded awards met the inclusion criteria. Almost half of the awards (48.5%) were investigator-initiated research projects compared to research career awards and cooperative agreements. While studies were predominantly conducted in the United States, 15.2% were conducted in low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Adults aged 19-64 years and children aged 2-11 years represented most of the study populations (45.5 and 15.2%, respectively). Studies provided nutrition/dietary guidelines and created culturally tailored interventions, which were then adapted in collaboration with community partners in schools, hospitals, and religious settings. The most cited IS outcomes were feasibility, costs, adoption, and acceptability. Sixteen awards (48.5%) used an IS theory, model, or framework to guide their work. The findings show the breadth of NIH-funded nutrition and implementation research and highlight potential research opportunities.

'We are all working toward one goal. We want people to become well': A visual exploration of what promotes successful collaboration between community mental health workers and healers in Ghana.

The practices of traditional and faith-based healers in low- and middle-income countries in Africa and elsewhere have come under intense scrutiny in recent years owing to allegations of human rights abuses. To mitigate these, there have been calls to develop collaborations between healers and formal health services to optimise available mental health interventions in poorly resourced contexts. For various reasons, attempts to establish such partnerships in a sustainable manner in different countries have not always been successful. In this article, we present findings from the Together for Mental Health visual research project to showcase examples of healer-health worker collaborations in Ghana that have been largely successful and discuss the barriers and facilitators to establishing these partnerships. Data reported in this article were collected using visual ethnography and filmed individual interviews with eight community mental health workers, six traditional and faith-based healers and two local philanthropists in the Bono East Region. The findings suggest that successful collaborations were built through mutually respectful interpersonal relationships, support from the health system and access to community resources. Although these facilitated collaboration, resource constraints, distrust and ethical dilemmas had to be overcome to build stronger partnerships. These findings highlight the importance of dedicated institutional and logistic support for ensuring the successful integration of the different health systems in pluralistic settings.

Mapping the effectiveness of integrating mental health in HIV programs: a scoping review

IntroductionMental health and substance abuse issues are increasing among HIV-positive people, and it negatively impacts health outcomes like engagement, retention in HIV care, and adherence to ART. Thus, national ART programs must include mental health management. The scoping review sought to map evidence on the efficacy of combining HIV and mental health care.MethodsThe Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework was used to map the existing research on integrating HIV and mental health services to identify knowledge gaps. Two independent reviewers screened articles for inclusion. Studies on HIV-mental health integration were considered. We searched numerous sources, extracted data, and summarized publications by integration model and patient outcomes.ResultsTwenty-nine articles met the criteria for this scoping review. Twenty-three studies were from high-income countries, with only six from low and middle-income countries in Africa (Zimbabwe 1, Uganda 3, South Africa 1, and Tanzania 1). Most of the literature discussed single-facility integration although multi-facility and integrated care through a case manager was researched as well. There was a reduction in depression, alcohol use, increased social function, decreased self-reported stigma, decreased psychiatric symptoms, and improved mood in PLHIV who received cognitive behavioral therapy in settings implementing integrated care. When providing integrated mental health services to PLHIV, healthcare workers reported feeling more comfortable discussing mental illness. Personnel in the mental health field reported less stigma and increased PLHIV referrals for mental health services due to integrated HIV and mental health care.ConclusionAccording to the research, integrating mental health services into HIV care improves the diagnosis and treatment of depression and other mental disorders related to substance abuse in PLHIV.

Agentes Comunitárias de Saúde: o que dizem os estudos internacionais?

Abstract This is a narrative review whose objective is to understand the state of the art of the literature on Community Health Worker (CHW) programs worldwide, identifying their nomenclatures, practices, training, and working conditions. The major concentration of CHW programs can still be found in low- and middle-income countries in Africa (18), Asia (12), and Latin America (05), with a few experiences in high-income countries in North America (02) and Oceania (01). In total, 38 experiences were cataloged, and the practices of care, surveillance, education, health communication, administrative practices, intersectoral articulation, and social mobilization were described. The levels and duration of CHW training were characterized, as were the different working conditions in each country. Much of the work is precarious, often voluntary and carried out by women. This review provided a comparative overview that can contribute to enrich the view of managers and decision-makers in contexts of the implementation, expansion, and reconfiguration of such programs.

Community Health Workers: what do international studies tell us?

This is a narrative review whose objective is to understand the state of the art of the literature on Community Health Worker (CHW) programs worldwide, identifying their nomenclatures, practices, training, and working conditions. The major concentration of CHW programs can still be found in low- and middle-income countries in Africa (18), Asia (12), and Latin America (05), with a few experiences in high-income countries in North America (02) and Oceania (01). In total, 38 experiences were cataloged, and the practices of care, surveillance, education, health communication, administrative practices, intersectoral articulation, and social mobilization were described. The levels and duration of CHW training were characterized, as were the different working conditions in each country. Much of the work is precarious, often voluntary and carried out by women. This review provided a comparative overview that can contribute to enrich the view of managers and decision-makers in contexts of the implementation, expansion, and reconfiguration of such programs.

Public Health Interventions Delivered by Pharmacy Professionals in Low- and Middle-Income Countries in Africa: A Systematic Scoping Review

Pharmacists and their teams play an important role in providing public health services, however little is known about their level of contribution and the strength of evidence in Africa's Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). The purpose of this scoping review was to explore and map the available evidence on pharmacy professional-delivered public health interventions in Africa's LMICs. Six electronic databases (Medline, Embase, International Pharmaceutical Abstract, PsycInfo, Maternity and Infant Care, and Cochrane database), relevant grey literature sources, key journals focused on African health issues, and libraries of relevant organizations were searched between January 2010 and December 2020. Studies were included if they reported public health interventions delivered by pharmacy professionals (pharmacists or pharmacy technicians) or their teams. The quality of the individual studies was assessed using an adapted grading system. Thirty-nine studies were included in this review. Pharmacy professionals delivered a wide range of public health interventions, with the most common themes being noncommunicable diseases, infectious diseases, sexual and reproductive health, antimicrobial resistance, and other health conditions, e.g., dental health, unused drugs or waste, minor ailments. The majority of the studies were classified as low-quality evidence. They were predominantly feasibility and acceptability studies conducted in a narrow study area, in a small number of LMICs in Africa, resulting in little evidence of service effectiveness, issues of broad generalizability of the findings, and sustainability. The major constraints to service provision were identified as a lack of training, public recognition, and supporting policies. Pharmacy professionals and their teams across LMICs in Africa have attempted to expand their practice in public health. However, the pace of the expansion has been slow and lacks strong evidence for its generalizability and sustainability. Future research is needed to improve the quality of evidence, which will subsequently serve as a foundation for policy reform, allowing pharmacy professionals to make significant contributions to the public health initiatives in the region.

Understanding the challenges of delivering radiotherapy in low- and middle-income countries in Africa

BackgroundAccess to high quality radiotherapy (RT) continues to be a major issue across Africa with Africa having just 34% of its optimal capacity. MethodsWe co-developed a survey with clinical, academic and policy stakeholders designed to provide a structured assessment of the barriers and enablers to RT capacity building in Africa. The survey covered nine key themes including funding, procurement, education and training. The survey was sent to RT professionals in 28 countries and the responses underwent qualitative and quantitative assessment. ResultsWe received completed questionnaires from 26 African countries. Funding was considered a major issue, specifically the lack of a ring fenced funds from the Ministry of Health for radiotherapy and the consistency of revenue streams which relates to a lack of prioritisation for RT. In addition to a significant shortfall in RT workforce disciplines, there is a general lack of formal education and training programmes. 13/26 countries reported having some IAEA support for RT for education and training. Solutions identified to improve access to RT include a) increasing public awareness of its essential role in cancer treatment; b) encouraging governments to simplify procurement and provide adequate funding for equipment; c) increasing training opportunities for all radiotherapy disciplines and d) incentivizing staff retention. ConclusionThis survey provides unique information on challenges to delivering and expanding radiotherapy services in Africa. The reasons are heterogonous across countries but one key recommendation would be for national Cancer Control plans to directly consider radiotherapy and specifically issues of funding, equipment procurement, servicing and training. Policy summaryThe study demonstrates the importance of mixed methods research to inform policy and overcome barriers to radiotherapy capacity and capability in LMICs.

Sustainable education and training in laboratory animal science and ethics in low- and middle-income countries in Africa - challenges, successes, and the way forward.

Despite the recognised need for education and training in laboratory animal science (LAS) and ethics in Africa, access to such opportunities has historically been limited. To address this, the Pan-African Network for Laboratory Animal Science and Ethics (PAN-LASE) was established to pioneer a support network for the development of education and training in LAS and ethics across the African continent.In the 4.5 years since the establishment of PAN-LASE, 3635 individuals from 28 African countries have participated in our educational activities. Returning to their home institutions, they have both established and strengthened institutional and regional hubs of knowledge and competence across the continent. Additionally, PAN-LASE supported the development of guidelines for establishment of institutional Animal Ethics Committees, a critical step in the implementation of ethical review processes across the continent, and in enhancing animal welfare and scientific research standards.Key challenges and opportunities for PAN-LASE going forward include the formalisation of the network; the sustainability of education and training programmes; implementation of effective hub-and-spoke models of educational provision; strengthening governance frameworks at institutional, national and regional levels; and the availability of Africa-centric open access educational resources.Our activities are enhancing animal welfare and the quality of animal research undertaken across Africa, enabling African researchers to undertake world-leading research to offer solutions to the challenges facing the continent. The challenges, successes and the lessons learnt from PAN-LASE's journey are applicable to other low- and middle-income countries across the world seeking to enhance animal welfare, research ethics and ethical review in their own country or region.

The quality of veterinary medicines and their implications for One Health

ObjectiveSubstandard and falsified (SF) veterinary medicines affect animal health, agricultural production and food security and will influence antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in both animals and humans. Yet, our understanding of their...

Mental health and climate change in Africa

It is now widely acknowledged that low- and middle-income countries in Africa are among global hotspots for high vulnerability to climate change, despite making comparatively low contributions to this phenomenon. Climate change has been shown to affect mental health as a result of disruption of social and economic structures that populations depend on for good health, including mental health. After decades of neglect, recent efforts by governments such as in Kenya to address the twin issues of climate change and mental health demonstrate the growing importance of these issues. Here we briefly review the evidence of climate change impacts on mental health in Africa and demonstrate that there is need for more contextual awareness and research in this area in Africa to mitigate or forestall potential mental health crises in the near future. We recommend systematic efforts to support funding for research and interventions at the nexus between climate change and mental health in Africa, and urge institutions and governments in Africa to begin paying attention to this emerging threat to the health of African populations.

1108-P: Noninvasive Diabetes Risk Scores Identify Diabetes due to Insulin Resistance but Not ß-Cell Failure: The Africans in America Study

In low and middle-income countries in Africa, β-cell-failure in the absence of obesity is increasingly recognized as a frequent cause of type 2 diabetes (DM) . DM risk scores assume that insulin resistance (IR) is the primary cause of DM. Therefore, their ability to detect DM due to β-cell-failure is unknown. In 529 African-born Blacks living in the United States (age 38± (mean±SD) ; 64% male; BMI 28±5 kg/m2) , we assessed (1) DM prevalence, (2) prevalence of DM due to IR versus β-cell failure; and (3) the ability of six risk scores (Cambridge, FINDRISC, Kuwaiti, Omani, Rotterdam, and SUNSET) to detect previously undiagnosed DM due to either IR or β-cell-failure. DM was diagnosed by OGTT and/or HbA1c ≥6.5%. IR was defined by lowest quartile of the Matsuda index (≤2.04) . DM due to β-cell-failure required DM in the absence of IR. Data on BP, BMI, waist circumference (WC) , health behaviors, and medical history were collected. Area under the Receiver Operator Characteristics Curve (AROC) assessed discriminatory ability of each score. Criteria for AROC: no discrimination=0.50; poor=0.50-0.69; acceptable=0.70-0.79; excellent=0.80-0.89; outstanding=≥0.90. DM prevalence was 9% (46/529) . DM was due to IR in 57% (26/46) and β-cell-failure in 44% (20/46) . The IR group had higher BMI (31±5 vs. 27±4 kg/m2 P<0.001) , and higher WC (101±vs. 91±cm P<0.001) . Scores had poor to excellent detection of diabetes due to IR (AROC=0.67-0.81) . In contrast, detection of diabetes due to β-cell-failure had an AROC score in the range of no discrimination or poor (AROC=0.49-0.62) . In summary, DM risk scores perform well for the detection of undiagnosed DM in Africans when the etiology is IR. However, scores fail to detect DM due to β-cell failure. Therefore, scores which evaluate DM risk when the cause is β-cell failure are urgently needed. Disclosure A.Wentzel: None. A.Patterson: None. M.Duhuze-karera: None. Z.C.Waldman: None. B.R.Schenk: None. L.Mabundo: None. C.Dubose: None. A.E.Sumner: None. M.F.Horlyck-romanovsky: None.

Comparative anticonvulsant studies on ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Zingiber Officinale Roscoe rhizome in mice and chicks

Epilepsy represents a major public health problem in low- and middle-income countries of Africa and Latin America where over 75% of patients do not have access to treatment. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of Zingiber officinale have been reported previously to have anticonvulsant effect. This study was aimed at comparing the anticonvulsant effect of ethanol and ethylacetate extracts of Zingiber officinale rhizomes in mice and chicks. Fresh rhizomes of Zingiber officinale (ginger) were collected, size reduced, air-dried under shade and extracted with ethanol and ethylacetate using cold maceration. Anticonvulsant activity of the extracts was determined by maximal electroshock stimulation (MES) in chicks, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and strychnine induced seizure models in mice. The ethanol and ethylacetate extracts of the ginger at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg were administered intraperitoneally 30 minutes prior to the induction of seizures. Both ethanol and ethylacetate extracts of Zingiber officinale at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg produced a dose-dependent protection against tonic hind limb extension seizure in MES model, significantly (p< 0.01) decreased the onset of clonic seizure in the strychnine model and significantly (p<0.001) prolonged the mean time of death in the PTZ model. In addition, the ethanol extract at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly (p<0.001) decreased the onset of seizure in the PTZ model. It might be concluded that both ethanol and ethylacetate extracts of Zingiber officinale contain biologically active compounds with significant anticonvulsant activity, but the ethanol extract produced a better anticonvulsant activity.

The Pan African Thoracic Society Methods in Epidemiologic, Clinical and Operations Research Program: A story of success told through a history of publications

Objectives: Despite bearing a substantial burden of respiratory diseases, low- and middle-income countries in Africa contribute little to the research literature. Since 2007, the Pan African Thoracic Society’s Methods in Epidemiologic, Clinical, and Operations Research (PATS-MECOR) program has been working to strengthen capacity in lung health research in Africa. The aim of this study was to assess the research productivity of previous PATS-MECOR participants. Materials and Methods: A systematic review of publications attributed to past PATS-MECOR participants up until 2018 was carried out using a systematic search strategy based on their names on PubMed database. Results: A total of 210 participants drawn from 21 African countries attended PATS-MECOR between 2007 and 2016, of which more than three-quarters (76.7%) had ever published. Of the total 1673 included publications, 303 (12.7%) had multiple course attendees as coauthors. The median publication per published participant was 5 (IQR 2–13) articles. The percentages of the first author, second authors, or last authors publications were 371 (22.2%), 239 (14.3%), and 99 (5.9%), respectively. The top three journals published in were PLOS One 108 (6.6%), Lancet 80 (4.9%), and the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 52 (3.2%). The median citation of their publications was 11 (4–26). There was approximately a double-fold rise in the publication output of participants in their 1st year following attendance to PATS-MECOR compared to the year before the course (123, 68.0% vs. 58, 32.0%). Conclusion: The PATS-MECOR training program has been successful in research capacity building for African investigators as evidenced by a growing publication track record. There is a need to ensure sustainability and for increased collaboration and networking among the trained critical mass of researchers in the continent.

An Education Gift — Integrated Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Skills — for Future Generations to Grow the Economy in the Digital Phase

This paper summarizes arguments driving education policy discussion about a relationship between the growth of the economy and early childhood cognitive and non-cognitive skills. The first finding is that rising Harmonized Test Scores, including PISA test scores, do not contribute to labor productivity per person in high income courtiers in Asia, Europe, and North America. On the other hand, the test scores can drive the economy in high income countries in Africa, Caribbean, Middle East, and South America; upper middle-income countries in Africa, Caribbean, Middle East, Ocean, and South America; low middle-income countries; and low middle-income countries more than high-income countries. The second finding is that rising Harmonized Test Scores (HTS) are likely to connect to labor productivity per hour. By a simple regression by taking a logarithm, this study investigates the relationship between labor productivity per hour and the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) test scores. The coefficient of determination is 0.60. It is not enough to get a sufficient result. Accordingly, the study discusses how labor productivity per hour in high income courtiers in Asia, Europe, and North America is associated with non-cognitive skills. In the digital economic phase, it seems that integrated cognitive skills and non-cognitive skills contribute to labor productivity per hour. We recommend that policymakers should invest in early childhood to not only maintain or improve PISA test scores but also to improve non-cognitive skills associated with psychology. Overall, this paper presents analysis and empirical results, aimed at building a more future-oriented education policy. The audience for this paper includes policymakers, educators, and economists.

Protocol for a Multi-Level Policy Analysis of Non-Communicable Disease Determinants of Diet and Physical Activity: Implications for Low- and Middle-Income Countries in Africa and the Caribbean.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death globally. Despite significant global policy development for addressing NCDs, the extent to which global policies find expression in low-and-middle income countries’ (LMIC) policies, designed to mitigate against NCDs, is unclear. This protocol is part of a portfolio of projects within the Global Diet and Activity Research (GDAR) Network, which aims to support the prevention of NCDs in LMICs, with a specific focus on Kenya, Cameroon, South Africa and Jamaica. This paper outlines the protocol for a study that seeks to explore the current policy environment in relation to the reduction of key factors influencing the growing epidemic of NCDs. The study proposes to examine policies at the global, regional and country level, related to the reduction of sugar and salt intake, and the promotion of physical activity (as one dimension of healthy placemaking). The overall study will comprise several sub-studies conducted at a global, regional and country level in Cameroon, Kenya and South Africa. In combination with evidence generated from other GDAR workstreams, results from the policy analyses will contribute to identifying opportunities for action in the reduction of NCDs in LMICs.

Risk factors for COVID-19-related in-hospital mortality in a high HIV and tuberculosis prevalence setting in South Africa: a cohort study.

BackgroundThe interaction between COVID-19, non-communicable diseases, and chronic infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis is unclear, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries in Africa. South Africa has a national HIV prevalence of 19% among people aged 15–49 years and a tuberculosis prevalence of 0·7% in people of all ages. Using a nationally representative hospital surveillance system in South Africa, we aimed to investigate the factors associated with in-hospital mortality among patients with COVID-19.MethodsIn this cohort study, we used data submitted to DATCOV, a national active hospital surveillance system for COVID-19 hospital admissions, for patients admitted to hospital with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between March 5, 2020, and March 27, 2021. Age, sex, race or ethnicity, and comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, chronic cardiac disease, chronic pulmonary disease and asthma, chronic renal disease, malignancy in the past 5 years, HIV, and past and current tuberculosis) were considered as risk factors for COVID-19-related in-hospital mortality. COVID-19 in-hospital mortality, the main outcome, was defined as a death related to COVID-19 that occurred during the hospital stay and excluded deaths that occurred because of other causes or after discharge from hospital; therefore, only patients with a known in-hospital outcome (died or discharged alive) were included. Chained equation multiple imputation was used to account for missing data and random-effects multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the role of HIV status and underlying comorbidities on COVID-19 in-hospital mortality.FindingsAmong the 219 265 individuals admitted to hospital with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and known in-hospital outcome data, 51 037 (23·3%) died. Most commonly observed comorbidities among individuals with available data were hypertension in 61 098 (37·4%) of 163 350, diabetes in 43 885 (27·4%) of 159 932, and HIV in 13 793 (9·1%) of 151 779. Tuberculosis was reported in 5282 (3·6%) of 146 381 individuals. Increasing age was the strongest predictor of COVID-19 in-hospital mortality. Other factors associated were HIV infection (adjusted odds ratio 1·34, 95% CI 1·27–1·43), past tuberculosis (1·26, 1·15–1·38), current tuberculosis (1·42, 1·22–1·64), and both past and current tuberculosis (1·48, 1·32–1·67) compared with never tuberculosis, as well as other described risk factors for COVID-19, such as male sex; non-White race; underlying hypertension, diabetes, chronic cardiac disease, chronic renal disease, and malignancy in the past 5 years; and treatment in the public health sector. After adjusting for other factors, people with HIV not on antiretroviral therapy (ART; adjusted odds ratio 1·45, 95% CI 1·22–1·72) were more likely to die in hospital than were people with HIV on ART. Among people with HIV, the prevalence of other comorbidities was 29·2% compared with 30·8% among HIV-uninfected individuals. Increasing number of comorbidities was associated with increased COVID-19 in-hospital mortality risk in both people with HIV and HIV-uninfected individuals.InterpretationIndividuals identified as being at high risk of COVID-19 in-hospital mortality (older individuals and those with chronic comorbidities and people with HIV, particularly those not on ART) would benefit from COVID-19 prevention programmes such as vaccine prioritisation as well as early referral and treatment.FundingSouth African National Government.

Novel application of biofortified crops: consumer acceptance of pasta from yellow cassava and leafy vegetables.

BACKGROUNDNewly developed yellow biofortified cassava has been adjudged as a cost‐effective solution to vitamin A deficiency in low‐ and middle‐income countries with high cassava intake such as Nigeria. In this study, yellow cassava was developed into a novel pasta enriched with amaranth vegetable and tested among consumers. Attitudes, perception, motives for consumption and perceived barriers were ascertained using focus group discussions and randomised face‐to‐face interviews, while liking, preference and ranking of the novel food were established through consumer sensory perception.RESULTSWillingness to consume the new food, low food neophobia (32%), a health‐driven consumption pattern, as well as an appreciable acceptance for the developed pasta, was established among the consumers. Ugwu (Telfairia occidentalis) was found to be the most preferred leafy vegetable. The yellow cassava pasta was ranked better than the conventional white cassava.CONCLUSIONThis study shows new avenues to valorise yellow cassava by which nutrition security can be improved in low‐ and middle‐income countries of Africa. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Demystifying media sources of information and levels of knowledge about COVID-19: a rapid mini-review of cross-sectional studies in Africa

COVID-19 control is highly affected by knowledge levels which are also affected by receipt of information on the disease. Therefore, this review examined knowledge levels and media sources of information findings of the studies on knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and practices towards COVID-19 done in low- and middle-income countries in Africa to shed light on the interplay of the use of different media platforms and populations’ knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic and identify shorter- and longer-term priorities for COVID-19 research to improve the continent’s capacity to not only deal with COVID-19 but also future pandemics. Searches were conducted in PubMed and CINAHL databases/sites with major terms being “knowledge”, “attitudes”, “perceptions”, “practices”, “COVID-19 “, and “Africa”. 319 were where identified and subjected to the exclusion and inclusion criteria retaining only 10 free, full-text research articles related to knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and practices towards COVID-19. This review summarized the levels of knowledge and media information sources among African populations. The review indicated a largely higher level of knowledge towards COVID-19 among populations who received information through various media platforms and alluded to the different media platforms that could be appropriate to spread COVID-19 related information to African populations.

Evidence for factors associated with diet and physical activity in African and Caribbean countries.

ObjectiveTo identify and describe summarized evidence on factors associated with diet and physical activity in low- and middle-income countries in Africa and the Caribbean by performing a scoping review of reviews.MethodsWe searched the Medline®, LILACS, Scopus, Global Health and Web of Science databases for reviews of factors associated with diet or physical activity published between 1998 and 2019. At least 25% of studies in reviews had to come from African or Caribbean countries. Factors were categorized using Dahlgren and Whitehead’s social model of health. There was no quality appraisal.FindingsWe identified 25 reviews: 13 on diet, four on physical activity and eight on both. Eighteen articles were quantitative systematic reviews. In 12 reviews, 25–50% of studies were from Africa or the Caribbean. Only three included evidence from the Caribbean. Together, the 25 reviews included primary evidence published between 1926 and 2018. Little of the summarized evidence concerned associations between international health or political factors and diet or associations between any factor and physical activity across all categories of the social model of health.ConclusionThe scoping review found a wide range of factors reported to be associated with diet and physical activity in Africa and the Caribbean, but summarized evidence that could help inform policies encouraging behaviours linked to healthy diets and physical activity in these regions were lacking. Further reviews are needed to inform policy where the evidence exists, and to establish whether additional primary research is needed.