Population Of African Countries Research Articles

Do institutions matter for agri-food imports and exports between China and Africa? A gravity model analysis

This paper aims to study the role of institutional quality on agri-food trade (import and export) between China and 48 African countries during the 2001-2021 period. The gravity model of trade was employed by estimating the Generalised Least Square (GLS) and the Poisson Pseudo-Maximum Likelihood (PPML) estimators, which include zero trade flows for panel data. The main results show that voice and accountability, control of corruption, and the rule of law all enhance agri-food trade flows. While political instability encourages agri-food exports to China. In addition, the economic size of China, the trade cost (distance), and the population of African countries also encourage agri-food trade between China and African economies. Moreover, access to the sea, exchange rate policy, and the economic size of African nations deplete China’s agri-food imports from Africa. We showed the mechanism through which each institutional variable affects China’s agri-food trade flows to African nations.

Fluoride Varnish Intervention for Caries Prevention in Resource-Limited African Settings- A review

Background: Fluoride may not be available to some children in African countries due to the non-use of fluoride containing toothpaste, parental perception and awareness of the benefits of fluoride in caries prevention and non-availability of fluoride in community and school water. Fluoride may also not be affordable for children of low socio-economic status in remote areas, slums areas and rural areas. Topical and systemic sources of fluoride, like fluoride drops, fluoride gel,fluoride solution, fluoride mouthrinses, fluoride tablets, and fluoride lozenges, may not be available in resource-poor countries. Method: An electronic literature search in Google Scholar, African journals online, Science direct and Google was done in August , 2023 using the Population, Concept and Context framework. Search terms and keywords were combined by Boolean operators. Two independent investigators screened titles, abstracts and accessible full texts of publications on fluoride varnish use among African children. Results: Full text was screened using inclusion criteria. Three articles were included as they were assessed to meet the aim of the review. They were hospital based and school-based studies with comparative, prospective, interventional, and randomized clinical trial and cluster-randomized controlled community trials, respectively Conclusion: Fluoride varnish can be an intervention for underserved children with white spot carious lesion in remote areas, slums areas and rural areas, and for non-cavitated carious lesions in resource poor settings. It is simple to use with simple armamentarium, More studies from diverse ethnic population in African countries will fill the gaps in knowledge. Update Dent. Coll. j: 2024; 14(1):28-30

Does poverty increase COVID-19 in Africa? A cross-country analysis

BackgroundMost economies in African countries are informal. As such, households in these countries tend to face higher levels of informality coupled with a lack of social protection, and have no replacement income or savings in the event of unexpected external shocks, such as COVID-19. Thus, the COVID-19 shock and its negative economic effects triggered a cascade of income losses and bankruptcies that pushed a significant share of households in African countries into poverty. This research analyzes the effect of poverty on the spread of COVID-19 using a sample of 52 African countries.MethodsTo achieve the objective of this research, this paper uses a multiple linear regression model and a sample of 52 African countries observed in 2020 to conduct a cross-country analysis. More importantly, two COVID-19 indicators (total number of officially reported cases and disease severity) and six poverty indicators (average poverty, poverty incidence, poverty depth, poverty severity, multidimensional poverty index, and extreme poverty) were used in this research.ResultsThe results show a positive and significant relationship between poverty and the spread of COVID-19.ConclusionsThese results suggest that more attention needs to be paid to poor populations in African countries during the pandemic. These populations are generally vulnerable, and there is a need for support programs targeting them to be put in place quickly. These programs may include food aid, distribution of supplies, health care support, fee waivers, and interest deferrals. In addition, sensitization of these disadvantaged groups on vaccination against COVID-19 to achieve herd immunity is strongly encouraged.

Population structure, molecular characterization, and phylogenetic analysis of Fasciola gigantica from two locations in Uganda.

Fasciola gigantica is a major pathogen that causes fasciolosis in Africa. A recent study in Uganda demonstrated that Fasciola flukes were present in 65.7% of slaughtered cattle. However, molecular identification of Fasciola species has not yet been performed in the country. In the present study, 292 Fasciola flukes were collected from Kampala and Gulu, Uganda. The samples were identified as F. gigantica using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (pepck) and a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay for DNA polymerase delta (pold). A significant genetic difference between F. gigantica obtained from cattle slaughtered at Kampala and Gulu was observed by analyzing the mitochondrial markers NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) and cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (cox1). Fasciola collected from Gulu had a more diversified population than that collected from Kampala, probably because of differences in livestock management systems. One of the possible reasons for this observation is that cattle slaughtered in Gulu were reared under an extensive communal grazing system, which is suitable for maintaining parasite diversity, whereas cattle slaughtered in Kampala mainly originated from fenced/closed farms, which limits parasite diversity. However, the cause of the difference between these two locations was not clearly defined by the results of this study. The F. gigantica population from Uganda was related to that obtained from Zambia. A star-like phylogeny was detected in a median-joining network analysis, which indicated rapid population expansion and suggested that the F. gigantica populations from both countries are maintained by domestic ruminants in eastern Africa. Interestingly, the F. gigantica population from Uganda was not related to those from Egypt and Nigeria. The results of the present study suggest that F. gigantica populations in African countries are indigenous to each country or region.

Genetics agrees: Africa is thriving in diversity

Populations in African countries have much more genetic variation than previously thought. We sequenced the DNA of 400 individuals and showed how people moved and interacted both with each other and with their environment in the past. Our findings, including both old and newly discovered gene variants, have deep implications for the future of genetics in medicine.

Reporting on African Responses to COVID-19: African Philosophical Perspectives for Addressing Quandaries in the Global Justice Debate

The first case of COVID-19 infection in Africa was recorded in Egypt on 14 February 2020. Following this, several projections of the possible devastating effect that the virus can have on the population of African countries were made in the Western media. This paper presents evidence for Africa’s successful responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and under-reporting or misrepresentation of these successes in Western media. It proceeds to argue for accounting for these successes in terms of Africa’s communitarian way of life and conceptions of self, duty, and rights; and that a particular orientation in theorizing on global justice can highlight the injustices inherent in the misrepresentation of these successes and contribute shared perspectives to formulating a framework of values and concepts that would facilitate the implementation of global policy goals for justice. The paper is thus grounded in a rejection of the insular tenets of theorizing prevalent in the global justice debate and to persistent inclinations in Western scholarship to the thinking that theorizing in the African context that draws inspiration from the cultural past has little to contribute to the quest for justice globally. On the contrary, it argues that reflexive critique of cultural history is a necessary source of normative ideals that can foster tolerant coexistence and a cooperative endeavour toward shared conceptions of justice in the contemporary world.

Screening for Atrial Fibrillation in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Health Economic Evaluation to Assess the Feasibility in Nigeria.

Background:Cardiovascular disease reflects a major burden of non-communicable disease in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Early detection and treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF), as a preventive measure against stroke, is currently not in the scope of the World Health Organization recommendation to reduce cardiovascular disease.Objective:We hypothesized that screening for AF would be an important approach to determine the true AF prevalence in the general population in African countries and to identify asymptomatic AF patients at risk for stroke to optimize prevention.Methods:A decision analytic model was developed to study the health-economic impact of AF screening in Nigeria over a life-time horizon. The patient population explored in the model was a population of newly detected AF cases that would be diagnosed with a one-time systematic screening for AF with a single lead ECG device in community health centres across Nigeria.Conclusions:The health gain per newly detected AF patient (N = 31,687) was 0.41 QALY at a cost of $5,205 per patient with 100% NOAC use, leading to an ICER of $12,587 per QALY gained. The intervention was cost-effective with a 99.9% warfarin use with an ICER of $1,363 per QALY gained. The total cost of a single screening session was $7.3 million for the total screened population in Nigeria or $1.60 per patient screened. Screening for AF to detect AF patients in need for stroke prevention can be a cost-effective intervention in the Sub-Saharan region, depending on type of anticoagulant used and drug costs.

Zéro faim et malnutrition sur le continent africain est potentiellement faisable, si les programmes de nutrition sont priorisés politiquement et scientifiquement

African countries and in particular the Sub Sahara ones contribute to the largest proportion of the global burden of poverty and associated diet-related diseases in all its forms, including micronutrient malnutrition. Malnutrition rates remain alarming: and stunting an indicator of chronic malnutrition is declining too slowly. The main objectives of the present article are to focus on 1- the current food supply and nutritional status among the vulnerable young population in African countries 2- Insight on the efforts towards reaching the global goal (2) for ending hunger within the context of the SDS2030. The methodology included urgent short- and medium-term interventions priorities programs implemented by foreign aids and international organizations for the management of severe and moderate malnutrition among African children. Details on the composition of the so-called ready-to-use foods used for treating malnourished children are presented. The outcomes of such programs with all their positives and negatives were put together as lessons to be learned and to close the information gap. The cost for treating one single malnourished child with these ready to use foods is in the range between 50 up to 200 US$. To make Goal 2 a reality by the year 2030, a number of scientific-based sustainable solutions were created and recommended for application. Maximizing the use of local food resources, and minimizing losses by applying the logarithm of linear modeling so that nutritious recipes can be formulated at the lowest cost. Capacity building of junior African academics and increased investments in research focusing on diet quality for optimizing the formulation of recipes for feeding infants and children. Strengthening scientific collaboration and exchange of visits and experiences between scientists from the 54 African countries. The establishment of an African Consortium with experts in the diverse areas of food systems to work together more effectively under the umbrella of the African Union. Keywords: African countries, Staple foods, Intake of animal-sourced foods, Severe and moderately malnourished children, Ready to use foods, SDG 2030, Sustainable nutrient-dense diets, Linear programming, Fermented foods, Intra Africa trade agreements, Political will.

Zéro faim et malnutrition sur le continent africain est potentiellement faisable, si les programmes de nutrition sont priorisés politiquement et scientifiquement

African countries and in particular the Sub Sahara ones contribute to the largest proportion of the global burden of poverty and associated diet-related diseases in all its forms, including micronutrient malnutrition. Malnutrition rates remain alarming: and stunting an indicator of chronic malnutrition is declining too slowly. The main objectives of the present article are to focus on 1- the current food supply and nutritional status among the vulnerable young population in African countries 2- Insight on the efforts towards reaching the global goal (2) for ending hunger within the context of the SDS2030. The methodology included urgent short- and medium-term interventions priorities programs implemented by foreign aids and international organizations for the management of severe and moderate malnutrition among African children. Details on the composition of the so-called ready-to-use foods used for treating malnourished children are presented. The outcomes of such programs with all their positives and negatives were put together as lessons to be learned and to close the information gap. The cost for treating one single malnourished child with these ready to use foods is in the range between 50 up to 200 US$. To make Goal 2 a reality by the year 2030, a number of scientific-based sustainable solutions were created and recommended for application. Maximizing the use of local food resources, and minimizing losses by applying the logarithm of linear modeling so that nutritious recipes can be formulated at the lowest cost. Capacity building of junior African academics and increased investments in research focusing on diet quality for optimizing the formulation of recipes for feeding infants and children. Strengthening scientific collaboration and exchange of visits and experiences between scientists from the 54 African countries. The establishment of an African Consortium with experts in the diverse areas of food systems to work together more effectively under the umbrella of the African Union. Keywords: African countries, Staple foods, Intake of animal-sourced foods, Severe and moderately malnourished children, Ready to use foods, SDG 2030, Sustainable nutrient-dense diets, Linear programming, Fermented foods, Intra Africa trade agreements, Political will.

РІДКІСНЕ ПІЗНЄ УСКЛАДНЕННЯ ГОСТРОГО ПАНКРЕАТИТУ СЕРЕД ЧОРНОШКІРОГО НАСЕЛЕННЯ АФРИКИ (ОПИС КЛІНІЧНОГО ВИПАДКУ)

Вступ. Гострий панкреатит вважається непоширеним захворюванням серед населення країн Африки 1% від усіх загальнохірургічних захворювань. Хірурги пов’язують такі показники з відсутністю або обмеженістю методів лабораторної та інструментальної діагностики і відповідних спеціалістів. Більшість випадків гострого панкреатиту та його ускладнень маскується під іншими хибними діагнозами й успішно лікується консервативно при легкому перебігу захворювання. Діагноз гострого панкреатиту середнього та важкого ступеня встановлюється при діагностичній лапаротомії у попередньому діагнозі «гострий живіт». Мета: аналіз випадку пізнього укладнення гострого панкреатиту – нагноєної постнекротичної псевдокісти підшлункової залози у пацієнта, який перебував на лікуванні у Баптистському Медичному Центрі, Налерігу, Північно-Східна Гана. Матеріали і методи. Подано опис особливостей клінічного перебігу, діагностики й успішного лікування рідкісного для африканського регіону ускладнення гострого панкреатиту – нагноєної постнекротичної псевдокісти підшлункової залози – в Баптистському Медичному Центрі (Налерігу, Північний регіон, Гана). Результати. Діагноз поставлено на основі клінічної симптоматики, методів апаратної діагностики та телемедичної консультативної допомоги клініки загальної хірургії міста Львова. Діагностична та лікувальна програма описаного випадку зіставлена з сучасними даними літератури. Висновки. Розставлено акценти на особливості діагностики та лікування захворювання в специфічних умовах африканського регіону.

Psychological changes in Africans with kidney disease in Ghana: a comparison of haemodialysis patients and patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis

Background: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is high in sub-Saharan Africa and affects the productive workforce. CKD has been associated with psychological problems such as anxiety and depression; however, there is little published information on the burden of psychological problems among the CKD population in African countries. Our study assessed psychological changes in two groups of patients, one group with end-stage renal disease receiving chronic haemodialysis, and a second with CKD not on dialysis. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving patients on chronic haemodialysis and patients with CKD stages 3–5 (the “CKD” patients) was conducted at the Renal Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana. One hundred and sixty-eight participants (82 CKD and 86 haemodialysis patients) were recruited. Demographic, clinical and laboratory information was captured, the Revised Quick Cognitive Screening Test (RQCST) was used to assess cognitive function and the Brief Symptoms Inventory-18 (BSI-18) was used to screen for anxiety, somatization and depression. Results: CKD patients were older than those on haemodialysis, with mean ages of 53.3 and 46.6 years, respectively. Two-thirds (113/167) were male. The median glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of the CKD patients was 21 mL/min/1.73 m 2 (interquartile range 9–34). Most of the haemodialysis patients (78.6%) were receiving two sessions of haemodialysis per week and their mean kT/V was 1.16 ± 0.23. The RQCST global scores in the two groups of patients were similar, with almost 90% of haemodialysis patients and 85% of CKD patients obtaining scores above 50. Haemodialysis patients had better scores for immediate recall memory. The haemodialysis patients also had higher BSI-18 global scores than the CKD patients (mean of 0.83 vs 0.70, p = 0.033). Mean anxiety and somatization scores were also higher in the haemodialysis patients. Conclusions: Haemodialysis patients demonstrated higher anxiety and somatization scores than the CKD patients. Clinical psychological support should therefore be included in the treatment of our patients, and especially for those on chronic haemodialysis.

Cultural Foundations of the Idea and Practice of the Teaching Profession in Africa: Indigenous roots, colonial intrusion, and post‐colonial reality

In this article I analyze some of the cultural factors that have determined and influenced the teaching profession and its evolution in African countries. Firstly, I use an historical approach to review conceptual issues on teachers, teaching and learning; secondly, I examine salient features of the idea and practices of teachers and teaching in the pre‐colonial and less Westernized contemporary African contexts and elements of Quranic schools; thirdly, I offer an account of how teachers were introduced to formal learning of European education in the colonial era; and, fourthly, I examine the declining prestige and other outstanding issues of teaching and the teaching profession amidst the call of quality Education for All. In the main, most African countries have to grapple with the daunting challenges of providing quality education to the entire school‐age populations in African countries, especially with the approaching 2015 date for meeting the second Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of achieving universal primary education and Education For All (EFA). At the secondary level and even more clearly articulated for higher education, there is a sense of urgency in providing quality education particularly in science and technology to position Africa with competent human resources in the global economy. Paradoxically, however, the perceived and actual prestige of the teaching profession and the social status of the teacher as a professional category, especially at the lower levels of the educational systems, have not consistently been positive.

A model for a sustainable energy supply strategy for the social-economic development of Togo

Sustainable energy supply is necessary for the economic development of a country. Over 80% of the populations of African countries lack an access to sufficient and sustainable energy. Moreover, 3.5 billion people are without electricity, hence a significant number depends on biomass fuels such as charcoal, wood, dung and crop residues for lighting and cooking. This high dependency on fuelwood and lack of efficient delivery of clean energy indicate an infant stage of economic development condition. Togo is relatively rich in energy resources such as solar, biomass energy, hydroelectric and other renewable energy sources. However, it has experienced major political crises since the 1990s that have virtually paralyzed the growth of the economy. While the country is currently undertaking development and modernization reforms in all areas especially in economic modernization, it is important to address the links between energy and sustainable social-economic development. Modern economies are undoubtedly being driven by sustainable energy policies. This paper proposes a sustainable energy utilization model which can be used to cause a paradigm shift in the refocusing of the strategies used in planning future energy policies in Togo. We discuss how, properly harnessed energy resources could lay a strong foundation for sustainable social economic development. Key words: Togo, economic development, energy, hydro electric power.

The value of urine specimens in screening for male urethritis and its microbial aetiologies in Tanzania.

To evaluate the first void urine (FVU) specimen in screening for urethritis and its microbial aetiologies in a male African population in which urinary schistosomiasis is also prevalent. Two hundred and forty eight males aged 15-54 years provided FVU specimens: 55 patients from a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases (STD), 151 patients from a medical outpatient clinic and 42 villagers from an area of high endemicity for S haematobium. Specimens were tested for leucocyte esterase (LE) using a dipstick (Nephur-Test+Leuco, Boehringer-Mannheim France SA). Ova of S haematobium were sought in terminal urine samples from all subjects. For all STD patients, and all medical outpatients with a positive LE test, urine and urethral swabs were tested for Chlamydia trachomatis antigen, and urethral swabs were tested for Neisseria gonorrhoeae by gram stain and isolation. The prevalence of LE positivity was 38/41 in STD patients with urethral signs or symptoms (93%), 5/14 among other STD patients (36%), 21/151 among medical outpatients (15%) and 13/42 among villagers (31%). As a screening test for urethral infection (detection of gonorrhoea or chlamydia and/or > or = 5 polymorphs per high power field on gram stain) the LE test had a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 53% among STD patients. Of 24 STD patients with gonococcal or chlamydial infection, 23 had a positive LE test (96%). Among general medical outpatients, 12 of 22 with a positive LE test had either conventionally defined urethritis or gonococcal or chlamydial infection, giving a positive predictive value of 55% for the LE test in this group. Of 18 subjects in all groups with urinary schistosomiasis nine had a positive LE test (50%), although three of these also had gonorrhoea. Chlamydial antigen was detected in the FVU specimen of all six subjects in whom it was detected in a urethral swab, and in an additional three subjects in the outpatient group. The FVU, which is an easily collected and non-invasive specimen, can provide valuable information on the prevalence of urethritis and on its microbial aetiology among the general male population in African countries.

Social and psychosexual problems of African adolescents

The population of African countries, typical of developing countries, is characterized by the large proportion of children and young people. An almost perfect pyramid illustrates the age distribution of Ghana's population (Text-fig. 1).Projections of future population point to a further rise in the proportion of children (0–15 years of age) from the present 45% to 47–49% by the year 1980. The children of today will be the parents of tomorrow and for the adolescents the statement can be taken literally; the study of adolescents and their sexual and fertility problems, therefore, needs urgent attention. Especially in black Africa, these problems cannot be studied in isolation from the traditional, cultural and socio-economic environment. Indeed much of the psychosexual trauma of this group is closely interwoven with their complex backgrounds.