Patients In sub-Saharan Africa Research Articles

Improving anticoagulation in sub-Saharan Africa: What are the challenges and how can we overcome them?

Patients in sub‐Saharan Africa generally have poor anticoagulation control. We review the potential reasons for this poor control, as well as the potential solutions. Challenges include the affordability and centralisation of anticoagulation care, problems with access to medicines and international normalised ratio monitoring, the lack of locally validated standardized dosing protocols, and low levels of anticoagulation knowledge among healthcare workers and patients. Increasing numbers of patients will need anticoagulation in the future because of the increasing burden of noncommunicable disease in the region. We propose that locally developed “warfarin care bundles” which address multiple anticoagulation challenges in combination may be the most appropriate solution in this setting currently.

Short-term Effects of Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation in Postmenopausal Hypertensive Patients in sub-Saharan Africa: A Double Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Short-term Effects of Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation in Postmenopausal Hypertensive Patients in sub-Saharan Africa: A Double Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Association between food insecurity and key metabolic risk factors for diet-sensitive non-communicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

In previous studies, food insecurity has been hypothesised to promote the prevalence of metabolic risk factors on the causal pathway to diet-sensitive non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the associations between food insecurity and key metabolic risk factors on the causal pathway to diet-sensitive NCDs and estimate the prevalence of key metabolic risk factors among the food-insecure patients in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was guided by the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) guidelines for undertaking systematic reviews in healthcare. The following databases were searched for relevant literature: PubMed, EBSCOhost (CINAHL with full text, Health Source - Nursing, MedLine). Epidemiological studies published between January 2015 and June 2019, assessing the associations between food insecurity and metabolic risk outcomes in sub-Saharan African populations, were selected for inclusion. Meta-analysis was performed with DerSimonian-Laird’s random-effect model at 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The I2 statistics reported the degree of heterogeneity between studies. Publication bias was assessed by visual inspection of the funnel plots for asymmetry, and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the meta-analysis results’ stability. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) – Version 2018 was used to appraise included studies critically. The initial searches yielded 11,803 articles, 22 cross-sectional studies were eligible for inclusion, presenting data from 26,609 (46.8% males) food-insecure participants, with 11,545 (42.1% males) reported prevalence of metabolic risk factors. Of the 22 included studies, we identified strong evidence of an adverse association between food insecurity and key metabolic risk factors for diet-sensitive NCDs, based on 20 studies. The meta-analysis showed a significantly high pooled prevalence estimate of key metabolic risk factors among food-insecure participants at 41.8% (95% CI: 33.2% to 50.8%, I2 = 99.5% p-value < 0.00) derived from 14 studies. The most prevalent type of metabolic risk factors was dyslipidaemia 27.6% (95% CI: 6.5% to 54.9%), hypertension 24.7% (95% CI: 15.6% to 35.1%), and overweight 15.8% (95% CI: 10.6% to 21.7%). Notably, the prevalence estimates of these metabolic risk factors were considerably more frequent in females than males. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, exposure to food insecurity was adversely associated with a wide spectrum of key metabolic risk factors, such as obesity, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, underweight, and overweight. These findings highlight the need to address food insecurity as an integral part of diet-sensitive NCDs prevention programmes. Further, these findings should guide recommendations on the initiation of food insecurity status screening and treatment in clinical settings as a basic, cost-effective tool in the practice of preventive medicine in sub-Saharan Africa.PROSPERO registration number: PROSPERO 2019 CRD42019136638.

Incidence and predictors of COPD mortality in Uganda: A 2-year prospective cohort study.

BackgroundData is lacking on outcomes among COPD patients in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of the study was to assess the incidence and predictors of mortality among COPD patients enrolled in the Uganda Registry for Asthma and COPD.Research questionWhat is the Incidence and predictors of mortality among COPD patients in Uganda?Study design and methodsIndividuals with a diagnosis of COPD at six hospitals in Uganda were enrolled into the registry, and followed every six months. Mortality was ascertained through post-mortem reports and verbal autopsies. Mortality rates (MR), mortality rate ratios (MRR), and hazard ratios (HR) were computed to assess associations between socio-demographic, behavioural, and clinical characteristics at enrolment into the registry and mortality up to two years after.ResultsWe enrolled 296 COPD patients. Median age was 60 years, and 51·3% were male. The overall mortality rate was 95·90 deaths/1000 person-years. COPD severity by post-bronchodilator FEV1 was the strongest risk factor for mortality. Compared to stage 1, adjusted hazard ratios were as follows for stage 4: 9·86 (95%CI: 1·70–57·14, p = 0·011), stage 3: 6·16 (95%CI: 1·25–30·32, p = 0·025), and stage 2: 1·76 (95%CI: 0·33–9·48, p = 0·51). Underweight patients had a higher incidence of mortality compared to normal weight patients (MRR: 3·47 (95%CI: 1·45–8·31, p = 0·0026).ConclusionAmong COPD patients in Uganda, two-year mortality is high, and disease severity at baseline was the strongest risk factor for mortality. Our findings suggest the need for early, accurate, diagnosis and management of COPD, to potentially improve survival.

Exploring the effectiveness of telehealth interventions for diagnosis, contact tracing and care of Corona Virus Disease of 2019 (COVID19) patients in sub Saharan Africa: a rapid review.

The efficacy of leveraging telehealth services on clinical outcomes remains scarcely documented. We conducted a rapid review to explore the effectiveness of telehealth interventions for the diagnosis, contact tracing and care of the corona virus disease of 2019 in sub Saharan Africa. Using MEDLINE, Science Direct and Cochrane Library databases, a review was conducted during the month of July 2020 of peer reviewed articles reporting on the use of telehealth interventions in sub-Saharan Africa. All the studies were assessed against the inclusion criteria by two independent reviewers. The 7 studies included in the synthesis were conducted in 2 countries [Nigeria (× 1), Zimbabwe (× 1)], and commentaries covering the entire sub Saharan Africa in general (× 4) and to Uganda (× 1). All the included articles and commentaries were published in 2020. We established that mobile applications are effective in providing information for referrals of potential patients infected by COVID 19 and provides convenient access to routine care without the risk of exposure through close contact. In countries such as Nigeria, mobile positioning data significantly improved decision making, capacity and scope of contact tracing and surveillance of known contacts of confirmed cases. We noted that collaborations between the government, mobile network operators and technology companies were utilised for successful mobile positioning data tracing interventions for COVID patients. Mobile applications such as the Vula platform in South Africa were also noted as effective in providing psychological support to health care workers attending to patients.

Risk factors associated with necrotizing fasciitis of the lower limbs: A multicenter case-control study

ObjectiveThe aim of this case-control study was to identify risk factors associated with necrotizing fasciitis (NF) of the lower limbs. Patients and methodsWe conducted a prospective case-control study in hospital dermatology departments in 5 sub-Saharan African countries over a 2-year period (April 2017 to July 2019). The cases were patients with NF of the lower limbs and the controls were patients with leg erysipelas. Each case was matched with two controls for age (±5 years) and sex. We analyzed local and general factors. ResultsDuring the study period, 159 cases (73 females, 86 males) were matched with 318 controls. The mean age was 48.5±15.8 years for cases and 46.5±16.2 years for controls (P=0.24). The main local signs of NF were cutaneous necrosis (83.7%), pain (75.5%) and induration (42.1%). Multivariate analysis showed the following to be independent risk factors associated with NF of the lower limbs: obesity (odds ratio [OR]=2.10; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21–3.42), diabetes (OR=3.97; 95% CI: 1.95–6.13), nicotine addiction (OR=5.07; 95% CI: 2.20–11.70), use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (OR=7.85; 95% CI 4.60–14.21) and voluntary cosmetic depigmentation (OR=2.29; 95% CI: 1.19–3.73). ConclusionOur study documents the role of NSAID use at the onset of symptoms as a risk factor for NF of the lower limbs. However, the originality of our study consists in the identification of voluntary cosmetic depigmentation as a risk factor for NF of the lower limbs in sub-Saharan Africa patients. Our results also identified typical overarching factors such as diabetes, obesity and nicotine addiction. Knowing these factors and taking them into account will enable optimization of management strategies for these conditions.

Magnitude of depression and associated factors among patients with tuberculosis in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

• This systematic review and meta-analysis reported the prevalence of depression and risk factors among tuberculosis patients in Sub-Saharan Africa. • This review revealed that more than one-third of tuberculosis patients in sub-Saharan countries had comorbid depression • Multi drug resistant tuberculosis treatment, intensive phase of the treatment and having a comorbid chronic illness were associated factors of depression. • Routine screening and integrated management of comorbid depression among patients with Tuberculosis are important to be considered by clinicians. : Depression in tuberculosis patients escalates the risk of adverse health outcomes. Despite its serious complications, limited evidence regarding the magnitude of comorbidity and determinants of depression among patients with tuberculosis is available in Africa. : This systematic review and meta-analysis was followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis 2009 guideline. International databases such as were searched. Meta-analysis was conducted using STATA version 14 software. Quality of studies was assessed by using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale criteria. The random effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of depression at 95% confidence interval level. : This review includes a total of 19 articles with 4391 participants. The pooled prevalence of depression among patients with tuberculosis was 39.42%. Comorbid chronic illnesses, multi-drug resistance treatment, and being on intensive phase of treatment were significant factors associated with depression in patients with tuberculosis. : This systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that more than one-third of patients with tuberculosis in sub-Saharan countries had comorbid depression. Usual screening and integrating the management of depression in patients with tuberculosis by clinicians is critical in reducing its effect. Researchers might study furtherly the emotional consequence of tuberculosis by considering affecting factors. : Selection bias was observed as we were only able to review English-language studies. We got studies only from nine countries among 54 countries of the region, and some of the studies used small sample size, could reduce the representativeness of the findings. The prevalence estimation of this systematic review and meta-analysis was also influenced by studies variation in tool preferences to measure depression among tuberculosis patients.

In-hospital mortality and its predictors among stroke patients in sub-Saharan Africa: A systemic review and meta-analysis.

Objective:To assess the in-hospital mortality from acute stroke and its predictors in sub-Saharan Africa.Method:The literature search was conducted in the databases of PubMed/Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. The retrieved studies were screened by titles and abstracts, and then full texts were assessed for eligibility. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute’s critical appraisal checklist. The publication bias was assessed using the funnel plot asymmetry and the Egger tests. Data were analyzed using Stata software version 15.0 in a random-effect model.Result:A total of 27 studies with a total sample size of 6331 were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled estimated prevalence of in-hospital mortality due to stroke was 22% (95% confidence interval = 0.17–0.27). Stroke mortality in Western Africa (37%, 95% confidence interval = 0.24–0.50) was higher than in Eastern Africa (15%, 95% confidence interval = 0.12–0.19) and Southern Africa (18%, 95% confidence interval = 0.06–0.19). In three studies, mortality was higher in hemorrhagic stroke (25%) than ischemic stroke (14%). Risk factors associated with higher mortality were admission Glasgow Coma Scale, stroke severity, age, sex, presence of hypertension, and declined renal function.Conclusion:The in-patient mortality of stroke in sub-Saharan Africa was high. Therefore, there is an urgent need for further stroke epidemiology studies in stroke subtypes and the performance of patient-level meta-analysis to understand the risk factors associated with mortality and herald appropriate intervention to curb the high mortality rate in the region.

Digital health and COVID-19: challenges of use and implementation in sub-Saharan Africa

COVID-19 is a global health emergency that exposed the gaps in health systems globally, especially in sub-Saharan Africa home to many fragile healthcare systems and a region beset with a large burden of disease. Various mitigation strategies have been put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 and management of patients in sub-Saharan Africa. However, much still need to be done. Digital health provides the promise for the continent to bridge the gap in decreasing the negative impact of COVID-19 and effectively mitigate the pandemic. This commentary argues how countries in sub-Saharan Africa need to embrace the use of digital health in public health interventions to vigorously mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic and to contribute towards attaining universal health coverage (UHC).

Predictive factors for multi-vessel coronary disease: A single-centre cross-sectional study in côte d’Ivoire

Multi-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) is recognized as a predictive factor of death in CAD. The aim was to assess the prevalence and predictive factors of multivessel CAD in a catheterization laboratory in Côte d’Ivoire. Over a period of 8 years (April 2010 and January, 2018), we conducted a cross-sectional study in the catheterization laboratory of Abidjan Heart Institute. We enrolled one thousand and nineteen patients (1019) who underwent coronary angiography in the Registre Prospectif des Actes de Cardiologie Interventionnelle de l’Institut de Cardiologie d’Abidjan (REPACI). We analyzed and compared data in patients with and without multivessel CAD. Predictive factors were determined by multivariate logistic regression. Prevalence of multi-vessel CAD was 29.7% (302 patients). Means age was 58 yo with male predominance (87.7%). Main risk factors were hypertension (66.4%), diabetes (34.2%), dyslipidemia (33.9%). Left ventricle systolic dysfunction was reported in 28.9% of patients. Left anterior descending artery was involved in 90.4% of cases. After multivariate logistic regression, age > 50 yo (HR = 1.9; P = 0.02), diabetes (OR = 1.7; P = 0.01), previous percutaneous intervention (PCI) (OR = 2.53; P = 0.0001), chronic renal failure (OR = 4.99; P = 0.01), and type B2/C lesions (OR = 2.12; P = 0.001) were independant predictive factors of multi-vessel CAD. Among the 302 patients with multi-vessel CAD, 81 patients (27%) were eligible for coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) but it was performed in 11 patients only. Multivessel CAD is frequent in our context. Management of these patients in Subsaharan Africa needs heart teams with trained interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons, and equipped healthcare facilities.

Leveraging smart glasses for telemedicine to improve primary healthcare services and referrals in a remote rural district, Kingandu, DRC, 2019–2020

ABSTRACT Background Telemedicine enables new forms of medical consultation and is expanding worldwide. Patients in sub-Saharan Africa could potentially benefit substantially from telemedicine. Objective To improve primary healthcare services, especially referrals to the district hospital, for the population in three health centres in the rural district Kingandu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by introducing Smart Glasses, and leveraging them for telemedicine. Methods The project involved the design and introduction of an intervention combining community engagement with technological innovation (Smart Glasses, communication equipment, moto-ambulances, and new diagnostic tests), and with staff training. Utilisation of the intervention, use of the health centres, and referrals to the hospital were monitored through the routine health information system and project-specific registers. Key stakeholders were interviewed and the project costs were analysed. Results The use cases for the intervention were defined in consultation with the stakeholders. Smart Glasses were used in 10% of consultations in the health centres mostly for advice during curative consultations. The total number of consultations increased significantly in the intervention health centres. The number of referrals to the hospital remained stable, but an increased proportion effectively arrived in the hospital. The Smart Glasses and moto-ambulance greatly facilitated emergency referrals, often requiring a potentially life-saving intervention in the hospital. All stakeholders involved highly valued the intervention. Conclusion Telemedicine can contribute to improving primary healthcare services in a remote rural area, as part of a more comprehensive intervention and with intensive participation of all stakeholders. It can increase acceptability and use of the existing services; improve diagnosis, treatment, and referral of patients; and can also facilitate on-the-job training and supportive supervision.

Nutritional Recovery and Its Predictors among Adult HIV Patients on Therapeutic Feeding Program at Finote-Selam General Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background Undernutrition is a major public health problem in HIV patients in sub-Saharan Africa. To address the problem of malnutrition, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health implemented a therapeutic feeding program, which is the provision of nutritional treatment, care, and support for undernourished individuals. However, little is known about the outcome of a therapeutic feeding program. Therefore, this study aimed to assess nutritional recovery and its predictors among undernourished HIV patients enrolled in a therapeutic feeding program in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods An institutional-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among 376 randomly selected adult undernourished HIV patients enrolled in the therapeutic feeding program from July 2010 to January 2017 at Finote-Selam General Hospital. Data were collected by reviewing patients' charts, follow-up cards, and undernutrition treatment registration books using a pretested structured checklist. The main outcome variable was nutritional recovery, defined based on body mass index. Bivariable and multivariable log-binomial regression models were used to identify the predictors of nutritional recovery. Result From total undernourished HIV patients enrolled in the therapeutic feeding program, 61.2% were recovered with a median recovery time of 12 weeks (IQR 9–17 weeks) for moderate acute malnutrition and 25 weeks (IQR 22–31 weeks) for severe acute malnutrition. Rural residence (adjusted risk ratio (ARR) = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.27–0.85), no formal education (ARR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.13–0.54), poor ART adherence level (ARR = 0.14, 95% CI; 0.08–0.32), and WHO clinical stage III or IV (ARR = 0.38, 95% CI; 0.17–0.59) decrease the probability of nutritional recovery. Conclusion Nutritional supplementation plays a critical role in the nutritional care and treatment of malnourished patients. Healthcare providers should give more attention to persons with poor adherence levels, advanced WHO clinical stage, rural residence, and low educational status. Future prospective follow-up studies should be performed to assess important variables such as family income, food sharing at the household level, and distance to health institutions.

Assessment of burden and coping strategies among caregivers of cancer patients in sub-Saharan Africa.

BACKGROUNDCancer is a devastating and debilitating chronic disease that affects both patients and family members. Available evidence has confirmed that the care of chronically ill relatives by family members can be very challenging. This is because caregiving of cancer patients often presents a high level of burden on the caregivers. Consequently, this leads to a necessity to adopt coping mechanisms to cushion the effect of the burden experienced during caregiving.AIMTo determine the burden experienced and coping strategies among caregivers of advanced cancer patients attending University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Cross River State, Nigeria.METHODSThe study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional study design and the study population included informal family caregivers providing services to histologically diagnosed advanced cancer patients receiving treatment at the UCTH at the time of this survey. A researcher-developed structured questionnaire, a 22-item standardized validated Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and a modified 17-item Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Inventory were used to collect data from 250 eligible informal caregivers who were selected with regard to caregiver’s characteristics, caregivers’ level of burden and caregiver’s coping strategies, respectively. Data gathered from the respondents were collated, coded and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 24.0) software and Predictive Analytical Software (PAS version 19.0). Chi-square was used to test for association between categorical variables at the 0.05 level of significance. The results are presented in tables and charts.RESULTSThe respondents consisted of more females 132 (62.86%) than males 78 (37.14%). The majority of respondents (46.2%) were aged between 31-50 years with a mean age of 35.9 ± 18.1 years. The assessment of burden level revealed that 97 caregivers (46.19%) experienced severe burden, 37 (17.62%) experienced trivial or no burden, while 76 (36.2%) perceived moderate burden. The coping strategies used by caregivers to ease the level of burden experienced during caregiving included; acceptance, reprioritization, appreciation, family, positive self-view and empathy. Also, it was documented that there was a strong association between caregivers’ level of burden and coping strategies (P = 0.030). Findings also showed that age (P = 0.000), sex (P = 0.000), educational status (P = 0.000), functional ability (P = 0.000), duration of care (P = 0.000), desire to continue caregiving (P = 0.000) and type of cancer (P = 0.000) were statistically significantly associated with caregivers’ coping strategies.CONCLUSIONThere is great recognition of the role of informal caregivers in improving the health of their relatives and family members who are chronically ill. It was recommended that support groups in collaboration with health care providers should organize a symposium for informal caregivers on the intricacies of caregiving in chronically ill patients. This would create a platform for experience sharing, information dissemination and health care professional-caregiver interaction to enhance positive caregiving outcomes.

Epidemiology of malaria among HIV/AIDS patients in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Malaria related HIV morbidity and death is a concern in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding the epidemiology of malaria among people living with HIV is vital for adequate intervention. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of malaria in HIV patients in sub-Saharan Africa. We searched PubMed, AJOL, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases. The overall pooled prevalence and pooled Odds Ratio (OR) with their 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were estimated using the random-effects model and potential causes of heterogeneity in prevalence estimates were investigated using subgroup and meta-regression analysis. 58 studies, including 23,911 HIV patients, were identified between January 1990 and October 2020. The overall pooled prevalence of malaria in HIV patients was 22.7% (95% CI 18.0; 28.1). The Prevalence of malaria among HIV/AIDS patients was 33.1%, 30.2%, 15.3%, and 12.6% in Southern, Western, Central, and Eastern regions of SSA respectively. Prevalence of malaria in the central and western was higher [26.7% (95% CI 20.6; 33.9)] than 13.6% reported in the southern and eastern regions (95% CI 8.8; 20.5). There was a significant decrease in malaria prevalence among HIV/AIDS patients in the Eastern and Southern SSA regions from 21.9% (95% CI 15.5; 30.0) in the 2000-2010 period to 9.7% (95% CI 5.5-16.4) in the post-2010 period compared to the central and western regions. HIV infected patients with low CD4 + T cell count (CD4 < 200 cells/mm3) were 2.19 times more likely to become infected with malaria than those with high CD4 + T cell count (CD4 ≥ 200 cells/mm3) (pooled odds ratio (POR): 2.19 (95%CI 1.20;3.98), while patients on antiretroviral therapy (POR): 0.37 (0.23; 0.59), and in WHO clinical stages I and II (POR): 0.64 (0.28; 1.46), had a lower odds of been infected with malaria. Our review suggests that due consideration should be given to malaria among HIV/AIDS patients in SSA. In particular, the assessment and improvement of preventive measures for malaria/HIV co-infection in high-prevalence regions is important. For the treatment of both diseases, prophylaxis with cotrimoxazole and antiretroviral therapy should also be encouraged.

Prevalence of Nontuberculous Mycobacterium Infections versus Tuberculosis among Autopsied HIV Patients in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

In industrialized countries, Mycobacterium avium complex and other nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are major causes of opportunistic infection-related deaths in HIV patients. However, in resource-limited regions, data on NTM are scarce, and tuberculosis (TB) was often assumed to be the cause of death in HIV patients with a positive acid-fast smear. We searched MEDLINE and Embase databases for studies on autopsied HIV patients in sub-Saharan Africa published between January 1997 and April 2020. We included studies that reported histopathological or microbiological evidences for diagnosis of TB and NTM infection. We excluded articles without mycobacterial evidence from culture or molecular testing, such as those that used verbal autopsy, death certificates, or national registry data (systematic review registration number: CRD42019129836 at PROSPERO). We included six eligible studies that reported 391 autopsies in sub-Saharan African HIV patients. The prevalence of NTM and TB at autopsy ranged from 1.3% to 27.3% and 11.8% to 48.7%, respectively. The weighted prevalence ratio of NTM versus TB was 0.16 indicating that for every seven HIV patients died with mycobacterial infections, there was one died with NTM infection. Of the 13 NTM infections, six were caused by M. avium complex. Mycobacterium avium complex and other NTM infections are important differential diagnoses of TB at the time of death among HIV patients in sub-Saharan Africa. Our findings highlight the need to systematically survey the prevalence of NTM infections among HIV patients seeking medical care in resource-limited regions.

QOLP-03. NEURO-ONCOLOGY PALLIATIVE CARE SURVEY OF PHYSICIANS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Abstract BACKGROUND Early access to palliative care is a critical component of treating patients with advanced cancer, particularly for glioblastoma patients who have low rates of survival despite optimal therapies. Additionally, there are unique considerations for primary brain tumor patients given the need for management of headaches, seizures, and focal neurological deficits. METHODS We conducted a survey of 109 physicians in Sub-Saharan Africa in order to determine level of understanding and skill in providing palliative care, types of palliative care therapies provided, role of cultural beliefs, availability of resources, and challenges faced. Demographic data including age, gender, and prior training was collected and analyzed using ANOVA statistical testing. RESULTS Among the participants, 48% felt comfortable in providing palliative care consultations, 62% have not had prior training, 52% believed that palliative care is only appropriate when there is irreversible deterioration, 62% expressed having access to palliative care, 49% do not have access to liquid opioid agents, 50% stated that cultural beliefs held by the patient or family prevented them from receiving, palliative care, and 23% stated that their own beliefs affected palliative care delivery. Older providers (age &amp;gt; 30) had a clearer understanding of palliative care (p = 0.004), were more comfortable providing consultation (p = 0.052), and were more likely to address mental health (p &amp;lt; 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Palliative care delivery to glioblastoma patients in Sub-Saharan Africa is often delayed until late in the disease course. Barriers to adequate palliative care treatment identified in this survey study include lack of training, limited access to liquid opioid agents, and cultural beliefs. Challenges most often identified by participants were pain management and end-of-life communication skills, but also included patient spirituality and psychological support, anxiety and depression, terminal dyspnea, ethics, and intravenous hydration and non-oral feeding.

Psychological distress among TB patients in sub-Saharan Africa.

OBJECTIVE: To summarise the available evidence on the prevalence of psychological distress among patients with TB in sub-Saharan Africa, and suggest recommendations for future clinical practice.METHODS: We searched PubMed/Medline, SCOPUS and EMBASE databases for relevant studies. We further searched the reference lists of included studies to include other relevant studies. Cochran´s Q-statistic and the I² test were used to compute the heterogeneity. The presence of publication bias was assessed by visual inspection of symmetry and Egger´s test.RESULTS: The pooled prevalence estimate of psychological distress among patients with TB in sub-Saharan African countries was 42.3% (95% CI 35.3-49.7). The pooled prevalence of psychological distress was 61.1% in Cameroon, 49.4% in Angola, 47.7% in Ethiopia, 34.0% in Nigeria and 29.3% in South Africa. The pooled prevalence estimate of psychological distress among patients with TB ranged from 40.1% to 43.7% in a leave-one-out-sensitivity analysis. Furthermore, the prevalence of psychological distress was higher in females when compared to males.CONCLUSION: The prevalence of psychological distress among TB patients was high. Therefore, TB programmes should integrate psychiatry services to screen and manage psychologically distressed patients.

Risk factors for development of acute kidney injury in hospitalised adults in Zimbabwe.

BackgroundAcute kidney injury (AKI) is predominantly a disease of low and middle-income countries. Despite this, there is a particular paucity of data regarding AKI in Africa. Most published studies were conducted prior to the most recent Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) definition of AKI. This prospective, observational, cohort study examines AKI amongst newly admitted acute medical inpatients in a large, urban, tertiary hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe.MethodsAll newly admitted, adult, medical patients in separate, randomly selected, 24-hour periods were included. Baseline demographic information, comorbidities, nephrotoxic medication use, and reason for admission were recorded on a standardised data capture record. A serum creatinine measurement was performed on all patients at the time of admission and again after 48 hours. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation and AKI was defined using the most recent KDIGO definition as an increase in the serum creatinine of greater than 26.5μmol/L within 48 hours, with admission creatinine used as a baseline measurement.Results253 patients were included in the analysis; 137 patients (54.2%) were female; 100 patients (39.5%) had HIV infection. 36 patients (14.2%) met the KDIGO criteria for AKI during the 48-hour follow-up period. AKI was more common among males (19.8% vs 9.5%; p = 0.019). The AKI group had a higher serum creatinine at presentation than those without AKI (296.5μmol/L vs 91.0μmol/L; p<0.001) and at 48 hours (447.7μmol/L vs 77.1μmol/L; p<0.001). In logistic regression, AKI was related negatively to female sex (OR 0.461, 95% CI 0.211, 1.003; p = 0.051) and positively predicted by the presence of comorbid hypertension (OR 3.292, 95% CI 1.52, 7.128; p = 0.003) and chronic kidney disease (OR 6.034, 95% 1.792, 20.313; p = 0.004).ConclusionsKDIGO-defined AKI was common in hospitalised patients in Sub-Saharan Africa and was predicted by male sex, a history of comorbid hypertension and a history of comorbid chronic kidney disease.

Knowledge towards Prevention and Early Detection of Chronic Kidney Disease and Associated Factors among Hypertensive Patients at a Chronic Illness Clinic of Jimma Town Public Hospitals.

Background Morbidity and mortality due to chronic kidney disease are increasing among hypertensive patients in Sub-Saharan Africa. The majority of hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease are not diagnosed at an early stage because of poor knowledge. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no study conducted in Ethiopia about knowledge of hypertensive patients towards prevention and early detection of chronic kidney disease. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess knowledge towards prevention and early detection of chronic kidney disease and associated factors among hypertensive patients at Jimma town public hospitals, Ethiopia. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 332 hypertensive patients using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and medical record reviewing from April 5 to May 21, 2019. Study participants were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected by using a standardized questionnaire. Data were entered into Epidata version 3.1 and analyzed by SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics and bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were applied. To identify factors, a 95% confidence level and P value of less than 0.05 were considered. Results Over half (59.6%) were males, and the mean (±SD) age of participants was 54.92 (12.91) years. Among the total participants, more than half of them (47.9%) had good knowledge. Attending secondary education (AOR = 2.9, P = 0.014), higher education (AOR = 5.4, P = 0.001), working in private sectors (AOR = 4.3, P = 0.001), taking three and above drugs per day (AOR = 0.55, P = 0.016), and having a family history of kidney disease (AOR = 2.3, P = 0.012) were significantly associated with knowledge. Conclusion and Recommendation. Near to half of the study participants had good knowledge towards prevention and early detection of chronic kidney disease. Attending secondary education and above, working in private sectors, taking three and above drugs per day, and having a family history of kidney disease were independent predictors of knowledge. Hypertensive patients should be encouraged to be aware of risk factors of CKD, and health care providers should educate hypertensive patients about the prevention and early detection of chronic kidney disease.

The Burden of Care of Heart Failure in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: The Peculiarities of Sub-Saharan Africa

Non-communicable diseases are rapidly becoming the commonest cause of mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Africa has one of the largest prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the world. However, the medical, economic, social and emotional barriers against optimal care of patients with diabetes are very prominent in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, poor glycemic control and suboptimal control of other risk factors are not uncommon. These increase the risk of developing cardiovascular complications of diabetes, the endpoint of which is often heart failure. The care for heart failure patients in sub-saharan Africa has been documented to be significantly low when compared with Asia or Southern America. The direct and indirect costs are unbearable and access to care is often compromised. So, when a patient with diabetes develops heart failure in sub-Saharan Africa, the burden is further magnified out of proportion to other developing regions in the world. This review article aims to highlight the peculiarities of the burden of care for heart failure patients with diabetes so that concerted efforts can be directed at addressing the challenges. This will lead to improved care of patients with diabetes and prevent them from developing cardiovascular complications like heart failure or to optimally manage these complications if they arise.