Epidemiology Of Non-communicable Diseases Research Articles

Epidemiology of non-communicable diseases among professional drivers in LMICs: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review collected evidence on the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among professional drivers and reported on the most common factors that increase the risk of NCDs in this specific population in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The protocol for this systematic review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). We conducted a thorough search on PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Global Health, Web of Science and Africa-wide information databases on 11 May 2023. We adapted the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool to assess the quality of the studies. We estimated the prevalence of hypertension, prediabetes, diabetes mellitus (DM), overweight and obesity among professional drivers using a random effect model to compute pooled and subgroup analyses. In addition, we conducted a narrative synthesis of the risk factors and recommendations presented in the included studies. Forty-one studies, including 48 414 study participants, met the criteria for inclusion. The pooled prevalence of hypertension, DM and obesity among professional drivers was 36.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 31.8-41.6%], 15.2% (95% CI: 7.0-23.4%) and 27.2% (95% CI: 18.7-35.8%), respectively. Unsupportive environment, work stress, sedentary lifestyle, consumption of unhealthy foods and shift work were the most common modifiable risk factors reported. Our findings also show a significant burden of hypertension, DM and obesity among professional drivers in LMICs. The prevalence of DM and obesity was two- and three-fold higher than findings in general populations, respectively. Our findings indicate an urgent need for tailored interventions for different occupation-related risk factors for NCDs among professional drivers in LMICs.

Epidemiology of non-communicable diseases among transgender population residing in Chennai district, Tamil Nadu.

There is a paucity of research on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, hypertension and coronary heart diseases among transgenders, with more importance given to diseases like HIV. The study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of NCDs, their risk factors and the associated factors among transgenders residing in Chennai district, Tamil Nadu. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study done among 145 transgenders residing in the Chennai district, Tamil Nadu, selected by snowball sampling method. Data were collected by a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire, anthropometric data were measured, and blood pressure was measured by a mercury sphygmomanometer using standard protocols. Data were entered in Excel software and analysed by using SPSS version 25. The mean age of the study participants was 36 ± 4.2 years. Nearly 91% had only up to school education. Around 26.7% suffered from type 2 diabetes mellitus, 15.1% had a history of hypertension, 36.3% were newly diagnosed hypertensives, and 13.9% were overweight/obese. Almost 40% were either current tobacco or alcohol consumers. There was a statistically significant association found between overweight/obesity and education, work, and income of study participants. The high prevalence of NCDs among the study participants warrants health education among transgenders to get screened for common NCDs. Further research is needed to understand the risks of NCDs among transgenders.

Invited Perspective: The Mysterious Case of Social Determinants of Health.

Invited Perspective: The Mysterious Case of Social Determinants of Health.

Hypertension among adults enrolled in HIV care in northern Tanzania: comorbidities, cardiovascular risk, and knowledge, attitudes and practices.

Cite this articlePreeti Manavalan et al. Hypertension among adults enrolled in HIV care in northern Tanzania: comorbidities, cardiovascular risk, and knowledge, attitudes and practices. Pan African Medical Journal. 2022;41(285). 10.11604/pamj.2022.41.285.26952Introductionthe epidemiology of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa is poorly described. In this observational study we examined a cohort of hypertensive PLHIV in northern Tanzania and described comorbidities, cardiovascular risk, and hypertension knowledge, attitudes and practices.Methodsconsecutive patients attending an HIV clinic were screened for hypertension; those who met hypertension study criteria were enrolled. Participants completed a hypertension knowledge, attitudes and practices survey, and underwent height, weight, and waist circumference measurements and urine dipstick, fasting blood sugar, and lipid panel analyses. Kidney disease was defined as 1+ proteinuria, diabetes mellitus was defined as fasting glucose >126mg/dL, and 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk was defined per the Pooled Cohorts Equations.Resultsof 555 screened patients, 105 met hypertension criteria and 91 (86.7%) were enrolled. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, and overweight or obesity was 8.8%, 28.6%, and 86.7%, respectively. Almost all participants (n=86, 94.5%) had two or more medical comorbidities. More than half (n=39, 52.7%) had intermediate or high 10-year risk for an ASCVD event. While only 3 (3.3%) participants were able to define hypertension correctly, most would seek care at a medical facility (n=89, 97.8%) and take medication chronically for hypertension (n=79, 87.8%).Conclusionwe found a high burden of medical comorbidity and ASCVD risk among hypertensive PLHIV in northern Tanzania. Integration of routine NCD screening in the HIV clinical setting, in combination with large-scale educational campaigns, has the potential to impact clinical outcomes in this high-risk population.

ЭПИДЕМИОЛОГИЯ И ЭПИДЕМИОЛОГИЧЕСКИЙ МЕТОД ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯ: ИСТОРИИ, ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА, ПЕРСПЕКТИВЫ

Based on the analysis of the literature and our own ideas using general logical methods of analysis and synthesis, information is presented on the advisability of a broad interpretation of the content of the term "epidemiology", which at the present stage includes two sections with a uniform research methodology: the epidemiology of infectious diseases and the epidemiology of non-infectious diseases. The features that distinguish the epidemiology of non-communicable diseases from classical infectious epidemiology are shown. Attention is paid to evidence-based medicine, the theoretical basis of which is clinical epidemiology. Proposals on the need to introduce a course of epidemiology of non-infectious pathology into the educational process of training specialists in biomedical profile are substantiated as a perspective of epidemiology and the epidemiological method of research in modern conditions.

Modern view of the evolution of the concept of "epidemiology". Analytical overview

The article analyzes the evolution of views on the concept of epidemiology in various phrases, provides a critical rationale and assessment of individual groups of definitions of epidemiology, presents a substantiated description of new scientific directions in epidemiology. Additions and changes to the existing structure of epidemiology have been developed and proposed, taking into account modern scientific data on infectious and somatic pathology. The formation of new directions in epidemiology has significantly enriched it not only in scientific but also in applied terms. The section epidemiology of infectious diseases forms the fundamentality of the science of epidemiology, which is constantly developing, which cannot be said about non-infectious epidemiology. Taking into account current trends, the author proposes his own vision of the modern structure of epidemiology as a science. The epidemiology of noncommunicable diseases is still at a lower stage of development than the epidemiology of infectious diseases. It lacks a full-fledged theoretical basis, both in general and in individual sections. There is no epidemiological terminology generally accepted in world medical science.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Outpatients: An Alarming Sign of the Epidemiological Transition in Developing Country?

Background: Noncommunicable diseases are the leading cause of death in the world and low and middle-income countries suffer from preventable premature death. The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors for non- communicable disease (NCDs) in general and particular cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among the outpatients of our department of medicine. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study from April to December 2017 by the consecutive enrollment of outpatients who attended in our department of medicine of Hôpital Sominé DOLO de Mopti, Mali. Clinical and laboratory data were measured for cardiovascular risk assessment. Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and Systemic Coronary Risk Estimation (SCORES) were computed by using Framingham and SCORE equations. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the harmonized criteria from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI). Data were captured in excel and analyzed with R version 4.0.3. The statistical significance was set at p = 0.05. Results: A total of 292 patients were enrolled in this study. The prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors was 36.64%, 21.57%, 14.04%, and 13.01% for high blood pressure, hyperglycemia, smoking, and alcohol consumption, respectively. The metabolic syndrome accounted for 23.63%. The mean body mass index was 26.10 ± 7 kg/m2. The overall 10-year risk for cardiovascular events or death was 26.3% and 8.6% according to the FRS and SCORE equation, respectively. The 10-year risk of cardiovascular events according to the FRS was significantly higher in subjects aged 50 and above compared to subjects aged under 50 years, 34.46% vs 13.16%, p Conclusion: Our data corroborate the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in SSA. A comprehensive cardiovascular risk factors assessment should be implemented in all stages of health facilities and a longitudinal follow-up could help shed a light on the epidemiology of NCDs in general and particularly CVDs and thereby improve their control policies in SSA.

Family Social Support Module for Stroke Patients with Attention to Local Wisdom in Malang

Indonesia is currently experiencing changes in the epidemiology of non-communicable diseases where stroke has undergone a demographic and technological transition, causing the age prevalence of stroke sufferers that previously suffered by people aged > 50 years now shifted to a young age. Increasing the available social support can be an important strategy in reducing or preventing mental distress and warding off post-stroke depression. The role of family and people around them to provide life support for stroke sufferers will be very meaningful. The purpose of this study was to describe the attractiveness of the Family Social Support Module for Stroke Patients with Attention to Local Wisdom in Malang. This study used a research and development method with a longitudinal research design. The results of this study were that the modules compiled by the researchers succeeded in changing family behavior in the social support of stroke sufferers and most of them stated that the module was good. Social support, especially from family, plays an active role in the patient's recovery. Family social support must be maintained properly, this will help stroke patients carry out activities independently and get strong family reasons as a supporting factor for the patient's recovery.
 
 Keywords: stroke sufferer; module; family social support

QEYRİ-İNFEKSİON XƏSTƏLİKLƏRİN EPİDEMİOLOGİYASININ TƏDRİSİNƏ DAİR

Summary In the 20th and 21st centuries, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) became the leading cause of death worldwide. The share of cardiovascular diseases in the structure of deaths from NCDs is very high, from which 17.9 million people die annually. It is followed by cancer (9 million cases), respiratory disease (3.9 million cases) and diabetes (1.6 million cases). The epidemiology of NCD should be considered as a productive and promising direction in various fields of medicine, independent departments, divisions. In this case, the epidemiology of malignant tumors - oncology, the epidemiology of cardiovascular diseases - cardiology, the epidemiology of mental illness - psychiatry, etc., remains part of it and gives these subjects a preventive nature. Saving lives and extending the lives of millions of people is a major goal of NCDs. From this point of view, it is important to study its epidemiological features in NCD education. Key words: non-communicable diseases, epidemiology, morbidity, methods

Non-communicable diseases awareness and control in a rural population in an epidemiologically advanced stage of transition (Kerala): results of the epidemiology of non-communicable diseases in rural areas study

Background: India carries the greatest burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) amongst nations. It is estimated that by the year 2030 there will be 101 million diabetics, 218 million hypertensives in India. NCDs would account for 53% of deaths in India by the year 2020 of which CVD would be the cause in 43%. Kerala is the diabetic and cardiovascular disease capital of India, with rates of prevalence as high as twice the national average. The age-adjusted CAD mortality rates per 100,000 is 382 for men and 128 for women in Kerala.Methods: The study was carried out in 5 contiguous panchayats of Ernakulam district, Kerala state. The study was carried out in 2 Phases. In the first phase individuals self-reported non communicable diseases and risk factors through the medium of an ASHA administered Questionnaire. In the second phase blood tests were done in individuals from the study population in those above the age of 30 years.Results: Of the 114,064 surveyed 63,051 individuals were above 30 years of age with a prevalence of diabetes at 11.1%, hypertension 15.6% and dyslipidemia 6.9% when self-reported. In the Phase 2 of the study blood sugar, total cholesterol and blood pressure was measured in close to 8000 individuals in whom 48% of individuals with high sugars, 37% with high blood pressure and 85% with high cholesterol values were unaware of their disease status. More females were unaware of their diabetic and lipid status and males of their hypertensive status. About 25% of diabetics, 40% of hypertensives and 6% of dyslipidemics had normal values. This study provided prevalence of NCDs on a large enough scale to help in policy planning if not for the country at least for the state of Kerala.Conclusions: The study results suggested low awareness and poor control of NCDs in the study population.

Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases Associated with Exposure to Radiation: Research Results and Future Directions

Relevance . The circulatory system diseases (CSD) are the leading cause of peoples’ death globally. Therefore the assessment of radiation risk of mortality for CSD is the most important task for radiation epidemiology, especially in low dose range (below 1 Gy). Aim : to establish the relationship between circulatory diseases incidence among the Chernobyl emergency accident workers (liquidators) and radiation dose they got. Materials and methods . The object under study is the cohort of liquidators with known individual doses of external gamma exposure of whole body. The group of potential risk is identified by values of excess relative risk (ERR) and relative risk (RR) estimated in the cohort of 134 thousand people, the average radiation dose is 0.11 Gy, maximum individual dose is about 1 Gy. For the period of follow up from 1986 through 2012 12400 deaths were caused by CSD. Results . The group of potential radiation risk comprises of the liquidators with accumulated doses 0.15 Gy and above, they arrived in the Chernobyl exclusion zone in the first year after the accident and stayed there less than 6 weeks. The total size of the identified group was 9.5 thousand people (7% of the cohort members). In the group of potential radiation risk the statistically significant value of RR is 1.44 (95% CI: 1.25; 1.66), average accumulated dose is 0.23 Gy. In this risk group 31% of deaths from CSD should be considered as associated with radiation. In the beginning of 2013 the size of the group of potential radiation risk was 6155 liquidators. Conclusions . For remained life about 950 radiation induced deaths from CSD are expected. Adherence of liquidators of the risk group to prevention and control of circulatory system diseases would significantly decrease years of life lost due to radiation exposure in this cohort.

The regional characteristics of endocrine pathology in the Perm kraii

Nowadays, focus of research is shifted to epidemiology of non-communicable diseases. Hence, actuality of study purpose to investigate epidemiological characteristics of endocrine diseases. The data of population appealability to medical organizations in the Perm region during last 20 years was used. The levels and structure of morbidity were calculated. The dynamic process was evaluated. The trend prognostication was proposed. In 2017, total endocrine system morbidity in the Perm region made up to 88.1 cases per 1000 population. During last 20 years, primary and total morbidity has tripled. In 2006, 2013 and 2015 maximal levels of primary morbidity are conditioned by adoption of a number of legal acts targeted to detection of pathology. The pathology of diseases of the endocrine system is determined by diabetes mellitus, thyroid diseases and obesity in 87.1% of all cases. According the data of population appealability to medical organizations, the rate of prevalence of obesity in 2017 made up to 10.6, diabetes mellitus - 26.6, thyroid diseases - 23.4 per 1000 of population. During last 20 years, incidence of diabetes mellitus increased up to 2 times, and obesity up to 4.8 times. The females suffered of obesity 1.2 times and of thyroid diseases 7.4 times more often than males.

Analysis of project results of preventive medicine from the National Natural Science Foundation of China in 2017

We analyzed the project results of preventive medicine from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) finished in 2017 based on the project-ending reports and data on science fund sharing service network. A total of 406 projects in this field were completed in 2017. A total of 3 122 published articles supported by these projects, including 1 789 articles in science citation index (SCI) journals and 525 articles in Chinese core journals. In addition, there were 224 patent application/software copyright and 589 trained postgraduates. The top three sub-disciplines of project were non-communicable disease epidemiology, human nutrition and hygienic toxicology, accounting for 45.32% of the total number of completed projects. There were 12 institutions which had more than 10 finished projects, accounting for 41.87%. During the recent 5 years, the number of SCI articles and patents/software copyrights per project showed a general uptrend. It should be noted that the number of articles in Chinese core journals and postgraduates decreased in recent two years. Our analyses demonstrated that the project results should be guided by the new era policy of science fund to promote sustainable development of scientific research.

Educational Note: Paradoxical collider effect in the analysis of non-communicable disease epidemiological data: a reproducible illustration and web application.

Classical epidemiology has focused on the control of confounding, but it is only recently that epidemiologists have started to focus on the bias produced by colliders. A collider for a certain pair of variables (e.g. an outcome Y and an exposure A) is a third variable (C) that is caused by both. In a directed acyclic graph (DAG), a collider is the variable in the middle of an inverted fork (i.e. the variable C in A → C ← Y). Controlling for, or conditioning an analysis on a collider (i.e. through stratification or regression) can introduce a spurious association between its causes. This potentially explains many paradoxical findings in the medical literature, where established risk factors for a particular outcome appear protective. We use an example from non-communicable disease epidemiology to contextualize and explain the effect of conditioning on a collider. We generate a dataset with 1000 observations, and run Monte-Carlo simulations to estimate the effect of 24-h dietary sodium intake on systolic blood pressure, controlling for age, which acts as a confounder, and 24-h urinary protein excretion, which acts as a collider. We illustrate how adding a collider to a regression model introduces bias. Thus, to prevent paradoxical associations, epidemiologists estimating causal effects should be wary of conditioning on colliders. We provide R code in easy-to-read boxes throughout the manuscript, and a GitHub repository [https://github.com/migariane/ColliderApp] for the reader to reproduce our example. We also provide an educational web application allowing real-time interaction to visualize the paradoxical effect of conditioning on a collider [http://watzilei.com/shiny/collider/].

Palliative Care, Suffering, Death Trajectory: A View of End-of-Life Care (EOL) Related Issues in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)

Palliative care in the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region despite some progress made since the first hospice was opened in Zimbabwe in 1979, still lags far behind that of countries with developed economies, and relatively suffers from not being wholly included into mainstream public health service delivery in SSA. The situation is made worse due to relatively poor and pervasive socio-politico-economic factors and the challenge of the changing and increasing non-communicable disease epidemiology in SSA countries. This situation results in a tension between scarce resources and service needs/provision which prevails in a good number of SSA countries. In large part the situation where palliative care, end of life and the death trajectory converge in SSA countries currently portrays one of scarcity of resources and suffering for those ill SSA patients who need the services. This article is an overview of the current situation as pertains to palliative care services in the SSA region and some of the factors that contribute to or perpetuate the current state of palliative care delivery in SSA countries.

Determinants of Raised Blood Pressure in Urban Uganda: A Community-Based Case-Control Study.

Rapid urbanization is changing the epidemiology of non-communicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to identify the determinants of raised blood pressure in urban Uganda to highlight targets for preventive interventions. Case-control. Three community-based sites in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. Participants were eligible to enroll if they were aged ≥18 years and not pregnant. 450 cases with raised blood pressure were frequency matched by sex and age to 412 controls. Unconditional logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of socio-demographic, lifestyle, anthropometric, and laboratory variables with the outcome of raised blood pressure. Cases currently treated with antihypertensive medication and cases not treated with antihypertensive medication were analyzed separately. Significantly increased odds of raised blood pressure were associated with overweight body mass index (BMI) (25 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m2), obese BMI (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and hemoglobin A1c ≥ 6.5%. Significantly decreased odds of raised blood pressure were associated with moderate-to-vigorous work-related physical activity of >4 hours/week. No significant associations were found between raised blood pressure and marital status, education level, car or flush toilet ownership, dietary habits, alcohol consumption, smoking habits, moderate-to-vigorous leisure-related physical activity > 4 hours/week, waist-to-hip ratio, or total cholesterol levels. Targeted interventions are needed to address the key modifiable risk factors for raised blood pressure identified in this study, namely elevated BMI and regular physical activity, in order to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in urban Uganda.

What might explain deprivation-specific differences in the excess hazard of breast cancer death amongst screen-detected women? Analysis of patients diagnosed in the West Midlands region of England from 1989 to 2011.

BackgroundBreast cancer survival is higher in less deprived women, even amongst women whose tumor was screen-detected, but reasons behind this have not been comprehensively investigated.MethodsThe excess hazard of breast cancer death in 20,265 women diagnosed with breast cancer, followed up to 2012, was estimated for screen-detected and non-screen-detected women, comparing more deprived to less deprived women using flexible parametric models. Models were adjusted for individual and tumor factors, treatment received and comorbidity. For screen-detected women, estimates were also corrected for lead-time and overdiagnosis.ResultsThe excess hazard ratio (EHR) of breast cancer death in the most deprived group, adjusted only for age and year of diagnosis, was twice that of the least deprived among screen-detected women (EHR=2.12, 95%CI 1.48-2.76) and 64% higher among non-screen-detected women (EHR=1.64, 95%CI 1.41-1.87). Adjustment for stage at diagnosis lowered these estimates by 25%. Further adjustment had little extra impact. In the final models, the excess hazard for the most deprived women was 54% higher (EHR=1.54, 95%CI 1.10-1.98) among screen-detected women and 39% higher (EHR=1.39, 95%CI 1.20-1.59) among non-screen-detected women.ConclusionA persistent socio-economic gradient in breast cancer-related death exists in this cohort, even for screen-detected women. The impact of differential lifestyles, management and treatment warrant further investigation.

Below the poverty line and non-communicable diseases in Kerala: The Epidemiology of Non-communicable Diseases in Rural Areas (ENDIRA) study

IntroductionIndia carries the greatest burden of global non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Poverty is strongly associated with NCDs but there are few prevalence studies which have measured poverty in India, particularly in rural settings. MethodsIn Kerala, India, a population of 113,462 individuals was identified. The “Epidemiology of Non-communicable Diseases in Rural Areas” (ENDIRA) study was conducted via ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists). Standardised questionnaires were used in household interviews of individuals ≥18years during 2012 to gather sociodemographic, lifestyle and medical data for this population. The Government of Kerala definition of “the poverty line” was used. The association between below poverty line (BPL) status, NCDs and risk factors was analysed in multivariable regression models. Results84,456 adults were included in the analyses (25.4% below the poverty line). The prevalence of NCDs was relatively common: myocardial infarction (MI) 1.4%, stroke 0.3%, respiratory diseases 5.0%, and cancer 1.1%. BPL status was not associated with age (p=0.96) or gender (p=0.26). Compared with those above the poverty line (APL), the BPL group was less likely to have diabetes, hypertension or dyslipidaemia (p<0.0001), and more likely to smoke (p<0.0001). Compared with APL, BPL was associated with stroke (OR 1.33, 1.04–1.69; p=0.02) and respiratory disease (OR 1.23, 1.15–1.32; p<0.0001) in multivariable analyses, but not MI or cancer. ConclusionsIn rural Kerala, BPL status was associated with stroke and respiratory diseases, but not with MI and cancer although it was associated with smoking status, compared with above poverty line status.

80P - Role of Treatment in International Differences in One-Year Mortality From Early Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: a Tentative Answer From the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership Study

T. Solomon1, M.D. Peake2, J. Butler3, M.P. Coleman1, W.K. Evans4, E. Jakobsen5, M. Boyer6, T.B. Johannesen7, B. Rachet1 Cancer Research UK Cancer Survival Group, Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK Department of Respiratory Medicine, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK Juravinski Cancer Centre at Hamilton Health Sciences, Cancer Care Ontario, Toronto, ON, Canada Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark Department of Medical Oncology, Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia Norwegian Cancer Registry, Oslo, Norway Aim: International differences in lung cancer survival are well known. Using population-based data, we assessed if variation in the provision of treatment may explain some of this variation, focusing on early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) where guidelines recommend resection of curative intent.

Blood component use in a sub-Saharan African country: results of a 4-year evaluation of diagnoses associated with transfusion orders in Namibia.

National blood use patterns in sub-Saharan Africa are poorly described. Although malaria and maternal hemorrhage remain important drivers of blood demand across Africa, economic growth and changes in malaria, HIV/AIDS, and noncommunicable disease epidemiology may contribute to changes in blood demand. We evaluated indications for blood use in Namibia, a country in southern Africa, using a nationally representative sample and discuss implications for the region. Clinical and demographic data related to the issuance of blood component units in Namibia were reviewed for a 4-year period (August 1, 2007-July 31, 2011). Variables included blood component type, recipient age and sex, and diagnosis. Diagnoses reported by clinicians were reclassified into International Statistical Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision categories. Multiple imputation methods were used to complete a data set missing age, sex or diagnosis data. Descriptive analyses were conducted to describe indications for transfusions and use of red blood cells (RBCs), platelets, and plasma. A total of 39,313 records accounting for 91,207 blood component units were analyzed. The median age of Namibian transfusion recipients was 45 years (SD, ±19). A total of 78,660 RBC units were issued in Namibia during the study period. Red blood cells transfused for "unspecified anemia" accounted for the single largest category of blood issued (24,798 units). Of the overall total, 38.9% were for diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs (D50-D89). Infectious disease (A00-B99), pregnancy (O00-O99), and gastrointestinal (K20-K93) accounted for 14.8%, 11.1%, and 6.1% of RBC units issued, respectively. Although a specific diagnosis of malaria accounted for only 2.7% of pediatric transfusions, an unknown number of additional transfusions for malaria may have been categorized by requesting physicians as unspecified anemia and counted under diseases of blood forming organs. During the study period, 9751 units of fresh-frozen plasma were issued. Nearly one-quarter of these units (23.1%) were issued for gastrointestinal (K20-K93) diagnoses. Malignant neoplasms (C00-C97) accounted for 38.1% of 2978 platelet units issued. Blood use in Namibia reflects changes in the health care system due to economic development, improvement in HIV/AIDS and malaria epidemiology, high rates of health care facility-based childbirth, and access to noncommunicable disease treatment. However, better documentation of the indications for transfusion is needed to confirm these observations. Changing patterns of health care will result in changing demands for blood components. Improved methods to evaluate blood use patterns in sub-Saharan Africa may help set realistic national blood collection goals.