Trends In Africa Research Articles

Spectrum of heart failure in 16 sub-saharan countries: drugs strategies and 8-year trends (the february study 2016-2023)

Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) is a growing public health concern in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The hospital prevalence studies estimate that in SSA, HF is responsible for 9.4% to 42.5% of all medical admission. However, little is known about the management of HF in hospitalization in SSA. Purpose To describe in hospital drugs strategies and 8-year trends in Africa. Methods We conducted a transversal and longitudinal study in cardiology departments of 37 hospitals(public and private) in 16 SSA countries. The February study is an ongoing observatory included all inpatients in February from each year since 2016. Collected data included socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, causes of admission, clinical, biological, complementary examinations, medicines, length of stay were collected by the investigating physicians. HF severity was defined according to proportion of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction(LVEF):reduced(LVEF<40%), mildly reduced(LVEF[41-49%] or preserved(LVEF>50%). All analyses were performed with random effect on countries through scripts developed in the R software(4.0.3(2020-10-10)). Results Overall, 2351 patients(57±17.5 years; 54% men) were admitted for HF in the February study. HF representing 44.6% of all patients admitted. Proportions of patients included for HF varied across countries from 28% Democratic Republic of the Congo to 75% in Guinea. At admission, 56% of patients had reduced LVEF; 12.5% had mildly reduced and 31.5% had preserved LVEF. Proportions of drug classes varied significantly according to LVEF: diuretics were significantly less prescribed in patients with preserved LVEF(65%) compared to patients with mildly reduced(77%) or reduced(73%) LVEF (P>0.01). The same result was observed for betablockers(BB)(30%VS46% and 46%) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors(ACEI)(50%vs77% and 71%)(p<0.01). Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists were significantly more prescribed in patients with preserved LVEF(p<0.01). The proportion of treated with BB increased significantly over the years(p<0.05) from 17% in 2016 to 62% in 2023. Proportions of drugs strategies differed significantly across countries adjusted for LVEF. Drugs strategies differed significantly according to LVEF(p<0.01). The more reduced the LVEF, the more the drugs strategy increased. In patients with preserved LVEF, the proportion of monotherapy was 20%; this decreased to 9% in patients with reduced LVEF. Combinations of three drugs increased from 35% in patients with preserved LVEF to 46% in patients with reduced LVEF. Overall, drugs strategies differed across years(p<0.05): three-drug strategies increased from 35% in 2016 to 51% in 2023 and two-drug strategies decreased from 38% in 2016 to 23% in 2023. Conclusion Up-titrated strategies were prescribed according to severity of HF and access to BB increased across years according to international guidelines. However, novel drugs classes remain unavailable in SSA.

“The Brunt of the Colonial Yoke Continues to Weigh on Us”: Understanding Africa’s Geopolitics as a Decolonial Struggle

ABSTRACT The escalation of tensions in the global political arena is hardly a recent development. Presently, there’s a notable shift toward acknowledging the enduring impact of historical traumas such as slavery, World Wars, and colonialism on humans and nations. Colonialism dealt a significant blow to Africa, with the effects manifesting as trauma. Despite its colonial tragedy, a substantial body of literature recognizes the increasing agency of Africa. Thus, this study examines Africa’s evolving economic, political, and security tensions in light of its colonial history. It applies Postcolonial Theory and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as theoretical and analytical lenses to examine the speeches of twelve (12) African leaders who participated in the 2023 Russia-Africa Summit. I explore the pattern of issues discussed by these leaders in terms of their indicative nature of postcolonial trauma and examine how the speeches demonstrate Africa’s agency within the international political landscape. The findings reveal that African leaders tie their current political, economic, and security situations in their country to the remnants of colonialism and imperialism. Fueled with resentments, these leaders are more inclined to distrust the West but maintain trust in Russia and its “strategic” partnership. Therefore, in asserting to their agency, the analysis indicates a shift toward Africa’s interdependency and desired participation in big power politics with “sincere” support from Russia. This study highlights a significant trend in Africa’s geopolitical landscape, examining how colonialism has shaped the region’s political dynamics and impacted its diplomatic aspirations in today’s multipolar world.

African Migration at a Crossroads: The Social and Theoretical Implications of Emerging International Migration Trends

This study examines international migration trends in Africa since the mid-1960s. It argues that African international migration trends are at a turning point that could significantly affect the future of migration studies. New African immigrant communities are emerging in Asia, South America, and other world regions, while the influence of state and non-state institutions is increasing. Moreover, interstate migration in Africa is now more disconnected from the legacies of the continent's colonial labor migration systems. By 2050, Africa is also expected to have the world's largest population in the age-groups that typically have the highest probabilities of migration, while per-capita incomes will increase in ways that could reduce the costs of migration. Although Africa's influence on future migration research is likely to increase, progress in developing theories to examine its emerging trends has been limited. With few exceptions, studies on migration in Africa focus on theory application rather than theory building. New theoretical approaches are therefore needed to adequately situate Africa's emerging migration trends within the larger context of migration studies. The building blocks for developing these theories include decolonial approaches that highlight African perspectives and the integration of the substantive influences of future migration trends into theory-building processes.

Focusing on the Trend in Africa. Comment on Black, P. Publishing Urologic Research from Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Soc. Int. Urol. J. 2024, 5, 225–226

In a recently published Editorial, Black [...]

A Constitution without Constitutionalism: A Gambian Paradox

Constitutionalism and democratization are the current governance trends in Africa, and these are complemented with new constitutions. The Gambia is not an exception as it transcends from dictatorship. However, the country faces a paradoxical menace of a constitution without constitutionalism as it faces deficit of constitutionalism in praxis despite its theoretical deliberation in the State’s 1997 Constitution. This research uses doctrinal or normative legal research with focus on provisions of laws, books, journal articles and other secondary materials that speak to the facts in issue. This Africa’s smallest mainland country is a victim of the 1884 – 1885 Berlin Conference as it still tries to give much premium to foreign legal systems over customary practices of the people before this Berlin project. While constitutionalism seeks to limit the power of the government, its most critical constituent as regards the concept of constitution without constitutionalism is the rule of law. The rule of law premises on the ground that all state’s constituents must be subject to the law. Therefore, the metaphor of a saviour, savage, and victim as the 1997 Constitution, the State and freedom of expression respectively suggests the totality of the complexity of a constitution without constitutionalism.

A Review of Seagrass Cover, Status and Trends in Africa

AbstractThe recognition of the benefits that seagrasses contribute has enhanced the research interest in these marine ecosystems. Seagrasses provide critical goods and services and support the livelihoods of millions of people. Despite this, they are declining around the globe. To conserve these ecosystems, it is necessary to understand their extent and the drivers leading to their loss. However, global seagrass cover estimates are highly uncertain and there are large regional data gaps, especially in the African continent. This work reviewed all available data on the extent of seagrass cover, evidence of changes in cover and drivers of this change in Africa, to inform management and conservation approaches across the continent and identify gaps in knowledge. Using a systematic review and expert consultation, 43 relevant articles were identified. Of the 41 African countries with a coastline, 27% had no data on seagrass cover. For 44%, data were available for some parts of their coastline, while 29% had data for their entire coastline. Quantitative information on trends in seagrass cover change was only available from three countries. The study identified 32 suggested drivers of seagrass cover loss, with impacts from fishing mentioned most frequently. Direct anthropogenic drivers accounted for 66.7% of the mentions, while climate and biologically induced drivers accounted for 22.7% and 10.6%, respectively. This study demonstrates the need for better estimates of seagrass extent, in at least 70% of relevant African nations, and major gaps in our understanding of the drivers of seagrass decline in Africa.

Economic Development Trends in Africa: A Case Study of South Africa Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

The global economy has been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and Africa has not been spared from its widespread repercussions. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the economic development trends in Africa, with a particular focus on South Africa, across three distinct phases: pre-pandemic, during the pandemic, and post-pandemic. Utilizing the combination of textual analysis and secondary data, the paper delves into both the macro and micro economic impact of these phases on the South African economy. The study aims to shed light on the resilience and vulnerabilities of the South African economy in the face of global challenges such as trade tensions, geopolitical uncertainties, and the unprecedented health crisis brought about by the pandemic. It also explores the government's policy responses and their effectiveness in mitigating the economic fallout. Furthermore, the paper examines the sectoral impacts, highlighting how key industries like mining, manufacturing, and services have been affected and are recovering. By offering a multi-dimensional analysis, this paper seeks to provide valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders interested in the economic development and recovery of South Africa in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Battling with the baton: (Dis)connecting today and tomorrow’s leaders in African Pentecostalism

Leadership praxis, development and succession can become a bloody battlefield in Africa, mainly because of economic, cultural, theological and political factors. Just like some secular leaders who fail to serve their mandate paradoxically fight for further conquest and retention of power at all costs, certain spiritual leaders miscarry Christian leadership, struggle to deliver their missionary service and tragically battle to stay in power, instead of passing the baton. Church leadership ought to be successional, transformational and intergenerational enough to disciple and develop leaders to sustain and promote other-centred missio Dei and missio Ecclesiae. Yet, the majority of Pentecostal church founders and leaders are neo-patrimonial, authoritarian and serving themselves at the expense of God’s mission. That way, they deface the missionary identity of the Church. Engaging with available literature and observing multifarious leadership trends in Africa, this article unravels problematic Christian leadership development and succession in view of Jesus Christ’s servant leadership model. It disconnects self-centred incumbents and connects the few who are Christ-like with tomorrow’s leaders.Contribution: This article advances Christian leadership development and succession in view of Jesus Christ’s intergenerational servant leadership model.

Impact of COVID-19 on DTP3 Vaccination Trends in Africa: A Joinpoint Regression Analysis

Abstract Background Vaccine-related death is one of the leading causes of death among African children. Vaccine coverage is a very important measure to decrease infant mortality. WHO has set a 90% vaccination coverage target of 3 doses of DTP (DTP3) by 2015. Covid-19 Pandemic has affected the healthcare system and may have disrupted vaccine coverage. Methods DTP3 Vaccine Coverage was extracted from UNICEF databases from 2012 to 2021 (the last available date). Joinpoint regression was performed to detect the point where the trend changed. The annual percentage change (APC) was calculated for Africa and the regions. Countries’ DTP3 vaccination rates in 2019 and 2021 were compared to see if they complied with the WHO target of 90% DTP3 coverage. Results According to the findings, vaccine coverage decreased by an absolute 4% between 2019 and 2021, with a negative annual percentage change (APC) of -2.9% starting in 2019. With a relative fall of -6.25 percent, Eastern and Southern Africa have experienced the largest relative decrease in coverage. A joint point was found in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2019, with a downward tendency from 2020 onward. In East and South Africa, the APC turned negative in 2020, with an APC of -3.5 percent. The number of African countries meeting the WHO's 90 percent coverage goal for the third DTP dose fell by 22.7 percent, from 22 in 2019 to 17 in 2021. This decrease suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has harmed DTP vaccination trends in Africa, with half countries reporting a drop in vaccination coverage Key messages • The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted DTP3 vaccination in Africa, causing a 4% absolute decrease in coverage between 2019-2021. • The number of African countries meeting WHO's 90% DTP3 coverage target dropped by 22.7% due to the pandemic impact.

Climate change mitigation role of renewable energy consumption: Does institutional quality matter in the case of reducing Africa's carbon dioxide emissions?

Renewable energy and institutions have emerged among other variables touted to address climate change problems. However, empirical results have been conflicting. With a relatively poorer state of institutional quality and a lower level of renewable energy development amidst rising carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Africa, the study assesses: a) the direct effect of renewable energy and institutional quality on CO2 emissions in Africa; and b) the moderation role of institutional quality on the effect of renewable energy on CO2 emissions in Africa. The study relies on panel data covering 2002–2021 for 32 African countries. The Fully-Modified OLS regression method is employed to analyze the data based on the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis and Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence, & Technology (STIRPAT) model. The results show that urbanization and trade openness increase CO2 emissions. Although income has a positive effect on carbon emissions, the square term has a negative confirming the EKC hypothesis. Renewable energy also reduces CO2 emissions. Institutional quality variables of control of corruption, rule of law, regulatory quality, political stability and absence of violence, voice and accountability, government effectiveness and institutional index created from the above indicators reduce CO2 emissions. In addition, except government effectiveness, the remaining indicators of institutional quality negatively moderate the effect of renewable energy on CO2 emissions. The results among other things imply that intensifying the development and usage of renewable energy would help address the rising carbon dioxide emissions trend in Africa. Also, strengthening institutions promises to reduce CO2 emissions.

Globalization and the Emerging Sexual Trends in Africa

Globalisation has significantly affected African societies' social, economic, and cultural aspects. One area that has seen significant changes is sexuality, with emerging trends such as lesbianism, gay rights, premarital sex, and transgender rights gaining prominence. Despite significant resistance from some African societies, these trends are becoming more prevalent and widespread. This paper examines the impact of globalisation on emerging sexual trends in Africa, with a focus on homosexuality, premarital sex, and transgender identity. It also discusses the underlying factors contributing to their emergence and why they may be difficult to stop. Using Cultural Marxist theory, the paper explores how globalisation and Western cultural norms are influencing the sexual values and behaviours of people in Africa, and creating new forms of power dynamics and inequalities. Furthermore, the paper explores the challenges and opportunities these trends present to African societies and the need for effective management strategies to address them. The paper argues that while these trends may be difficult to stop, African societies can adopt strategies to manage them, including the creation of legal frameworks that protect the rights of sexual minorities, comprehensive sex education, and the promotion of cultural diversity and tolerance. Overall, this paper contributes to ongoing debate on the impact of globalisation on African societies and the need for a more nuanced understanding of the complex processes that shape social change in the region.

Capabilities of secondary school teachers in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic literature review

Orientation: Education trends in Africa indicate that key ingredients for effective education are elusive, impacting the teachers who need to remain productive, motivated and healthy in this environment.Research purpose: Using machine learning active learning technology, the study aimed to review current literature related to the factors affecting the capabilities and functionings of secondary school teachers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).Motivation for the study: The Capability Approach (CA) provides a framework for studying the sustainable employability (SE) of teachers, including what they require to be able to convert valued opportunities into the needed achievements.Research approach/design and method: A systematic literature review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, using Machine Learning Active Learning Technology. Eighty six articles from 14 SSA countries were included for analysis, prioritising articles in the South African context first.Main findings: Analysis identified four groupings of resources that are potentially useful or valuable, creating access or empowerment if utilised effectively, namely knowledge commodities, soft commodities, hard commodities, and organisational commodities. Sub-resources were also identified.Practical/managerial implications: This research would assist policy and decision-makers to focus their interventions in the most effective way to sustain productivity and well-being in the workplace. The resource groupings should be included in a model that focuses on enhancing secondary school teachers’ capabilities to promote their well-being and productivity.Contribution/value-add: This article provides new applied knowledge related to machine learning active learning technology as a methodology, and provides further insight into secondary school teacher employability.

Optimised MLP Neural Network Model for Optimum Prognostic Learning of out of School Children Trend in Africa: Implication for Guidance and Counselling

Optimised MLP Neural Network Model for Optimum Prognostic Learning of out of School Children Trend in Africa: Implication for Guidance and Counselling

Nesting the SIRV model with NAR, LSTM and statistical methods to fit and predict COVID-19 epidemic trend in Africa

ObjectiveCompared with other regions in the world, the transmission characteristics of the COVID-19 epidemic in Africa are more obvious, has a unique transmission mode in this region; At the same time, the data related to the COVID-19 epidemic in Africa is characterized by low data quality and incomplete data coverage, which makes the prediction method of COVID-19 epidemic suitable for other regions unable to achieve good results in Africa. In order to solve the above problems, this paper proposes a prediction method that nests the in-depth learning method in the mechanism model. From the experimental results, it can better solve the above problems and better adapt to the transmission characteristics of the COVID-19 epidemic in African countries.MethodsBased on the SIRV model, the COVID-19 transmission rate and trend from September 2021 to January 2022 of the top 15 African countries (South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, Algeria, Botswana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Uganda, and Ghana) in the accumulative number of COVID-19 confirmed cases was fitted by using the data from Worldometer. Non-autoregressive (NAR), Long-short term memory (LSTM), Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models, Gaussian and polynomial functions were used to predict the transmission rate β in the next 7, 14, and 21 days. Then, the predicted transmission rate βs were substituted into the SIRV model to predict the number of the COVID-19 active cases. The error analysis was conducted using root-mean-square error (RMSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE).ResultsThe fitting curves of the 7, 14, and 21 days were consistent with and higher than the original curves of daily active cases (DAC). The MAPE between the fitted and original 7-day DAC was only 1.15% and increased with the longer of predict days. Both the predicted β and DAC of the next 7, 14, and 21 days by NAR and LSTM nested models were closer to the real ones than other three ones. The minimum RMSEs for the predicted number of COVID-19 active cases in the next 7, 14, and 21 days were 12,974, 14,152, and 12,211 people, respectively when the order of magnitude for was 106, with the minimum MAPE being 1.79%, 1.97%, and 1.64%, respectively.ConclusionNesting the SIRV model with NAR, LSTM, ARIMA methods etc. through functionalizing β respectively could obtain more accurate fitting and predicting results than these models/methods alone for the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa in which nesting with NAR had the highest accuracy for the 14-day and 21-day predictions. The nested model was of high significance for early understanding of the COVID-19 disease burden and preparedness for the response.

Entangled epidemics: tackling vaccine-preventable diseases in the era of frequent epidemics in Africa.

Whilst the largely limited health system and funds are already overstretched while responding to multiple epidemics, ongoing vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) including polio and measles continue to be a public health threat and expose the weaknesses of the public health system in many African countries. The surge in VPD outbreaks during epidemics appears to be a common trend in Africa, often due to reduced vaccination coverage. The World Health Organization reported that, in 2021, nearly 25 million children missed their first measles dose, 5 million more than in 2019. The drop in childhood immunizations was partly attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic which has caused significant interruption in public health services delivery and reduced vaccination coverage. Vaccines help reduce the incidence of VPD. Therefore, effective VPD outbreak response mechanisms and strategies that include ramping up catch-up campaigns for immunization during epidemic troughs including the provision of vaccines outside clinics as well as assessing newer vaccine delivery models during pandemics are essential to minimize the impact of VPD outbreaks during emerging epidemics. Ensuring access to vaccines to address outbreaks and provide supplemental vaccination is essential if we are to be a VPD-free region.

AN OVERVIEW OF CHALLENGES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ASTHMA IN NIGERIA

Background: Asthma is one of the respiratory diseases with an increasing trend in Africa. The aim of asthma treatment is control of asthma symptoms and the prevention of risk of exacerbations. Asthma management is still suboptimal in Nigeria despite advanced knowledge about the pathophysiology of the disease and guidelines available for treatment. This review examines some of several challenges in current asthma management in Nigeria. Objective: To examine challenges in current asthma management in Nigeria. Data Sources: This includes PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, AJOL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Research gate and Scopus. Only observational studies retrievable in the English Language were included. All studies were assessed for methods and study designs. Conclusion: There are a number of challenges to providing optimal management of asthma in Nigeria and these are centered on diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. Current challenges in asthma management include illiteracy, poverty, unavailability of asthma medications, pollution, poor inhaler technique, lack of ICU care, stigmatization, language barrier, poor monitoring and poor asthma research. Strategies that will address these challenges should be the focus for stakeholders including physicians and policymakers at the National and state levels to improve the quality of asthma care in Nigeria for optimal control. Keywords: Asthma, asthma control, asthma management, asthma challenges

Editorial

This editorial is an overview of the six articles in this issue representing Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Ahmed Omar Bali, Sherko Jabar, Hazhar Jalal and Mahdi Sofi-Karim look at post-Saddam Iraq and the rise of digital media entrepreneurialism. Veronique Wavre examines policy diffusion from the European Union to Jordan and Morocco. Diah Yuniarti and Sri Ariyanti analyse Singapore, Japan and Malaysia’s engagement with different integrated broadcast-broadband (IBB) technologies. Eylem Yanardağoğlu examines news consumption behaviour of youth in Greece and Turkey. Brighton Nyagadza’s systematic literature review generates themes around social media and search engine marketing (SEM) trends in Africa and around the world. Claire Henry investigates to what extent and in what ways media literacy affects regulation in New Zealand as an intended policy outcome.

State-Embedded Actor Syndrome and Organized Crime Trends in Africa

Organized crime is any serious crime committed by an organized criminal group within a state or across international borders for economic gain. State-embedded actor syndrome exists where state officials commit organized crimes. There is a trend in Africa whereby states with high resilience to organized crime simultaneously record high organized criminality. While arguing that high resilience should result in low criminality, this paper seeks to ascertain whether the state-embedded actor syndrome is responsible for the high-criminality and high-resilience organized crime trends in Africa. Accordingly, the question underlying this research is: Is state-embedded actor syndrome responsible for the high-criminality and high-resilience (HC-HR) organized crime trends in Africa? The objectives of the study are to ascertain whether state-embedded actor syndrome is responsible for the HC-HR trends in Africa and recommend ways of reversing or averting the trend. The paper uses quantitative and qualitative methods as well as a non-experimental design. Data for the research are collected from secondary sources and manipulated by quadrant analysis. The paper finds that state-embedded actor syndrome negatives state resilience and that is why criminality increases despite high resilience. The paper recommends that African states should avoid holding onto the heavy police approach to combating organized crime, but adopt a comprehensive policy response that will boost state resilience and check organized criminality.

The role of blue green infrastructure in the urban thermal environment across seasons and local climate zones in East Africa

Rapid urbanisation and climate change are two major trends in Africa in need of further investigation. In this paper, the urban thermal environment and vegetation abundance in four East African cities (Khartoum, Addis Ababa, Kampala and Dar es Salaam) were characterised, providing new insights into the role and potentials of blue green infrastructure in differing climate regions. The Local Climate Zone (LCZ) framework was employed to detect the seasonal Land Surface Temperature (LST) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) derived from Landsat-8 data. Significant LST differences between LCZs in dry and rainy seasons were confirmed using a Welch's T test. The LCZs were found to offer potentially new approaches to investigating issues pertaining to urban heating in data-scarce regions. Greater surface urban heat island (SUHI) intensity during the rainy season was apparent in Khartoum and Addis Ababa, emphasising the importance of seasonality in urban thermal studies. Spatial correlations between EVI and LST within each LCZ were analysed through Moran's I and further illustrated the complex relationships of vegetation and thermal behaviour in urban areas. Despite these complexities, urban blue green infrastructure was found to moderate the SUHI, with different types of intervention required across different LCZs.

2013 Iodine Nutrition in Africa: An Update for 2014

The elimination of iodine deficiency and its serious consequences, called the iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), are among the health priorities of most countries in the world. These IDDs include impaired mental development, adverse effects on growth, infant mortality, hypothyroidism, reproductive failure, and endemic goitre, which may lead to decreased educability, apathy, and reduced work capacity and may ultimately result in impaired social and economic development. Salt iodization programs in approximately 150 countries have markedly improved the global iodine nutritional status over the past decade. This is reflected in the decrease in the number of iodine-deficient countries worldwide fr om 54 in 2003 to 47 in 2007 and then to 32 in 2011.3 Despite remarkable progress, the successes have been regionally variable, with some regions showing little progress. Against the background of a general global improvement in iodine status and a marked improvement in four of the six WHO regions since 2003, the trend in Africa indicated a small decrease in the proportion of school-age children (SAC) with insufficient iodine intake as judged by urinary iodine concentration (UIC) below 100 μg/L, while the number of African SAC with insufficient iodine intake remained the same between 2007 and 2011.