scholarly journals The Guinea-Bissau Twin Registry Update: A Platform for Studying Twin Mortality and Metabolic Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 554-560
Author(s):  
Morten Bjerregaard-Andersen ◽  
Gabriel Marciano Gomes ◽  
Ditte Egegaard Hennild ◽  
Dorte Møller Jensen ◽  
Kaare Christensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Disorders ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Vulnerable Children ◽  
Thrifty Phenotype ◽  
Guinea Bissau ◽  
Twin Registry ◽  
Sub Saharan

AbstractSub-Saharan Africa has the highest natural twinning rate in the world. Unfortunately, due to lack of adequate care during pregnancy, labor and postnatally, twin mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa also remains very high. Thus, it has been estimated that one in five twins dies during the childhood years. In spite of this, surprisingly few twin studies have been conducted in the region, making additional epidemiological data much needed. In 2009, we established one of the first twin registries in Sub-Saharan Africa at the Bandim Health Project in Guinea-Bissau. The registry had two main objectives. First, we wanted to describe the twinning rate and mortality patterns among newborn twins, including mortality risk factors and hospitalization patterns. Such studies can help the local clinicians improve twin health by identifying the most vulnerable children. Second, and in light of the rapidly increasing diabetes rates in Africa, we wanted to use the registry to particularly focus on metabolic disorders. Twins are often born with low birth weight, which according to the ‘thrifty phenotype hypothesis’ could predispose them to metabolic disorders later in life. Yet, no such ‘fetal programming’ data have previously been available from African twins despite the fact that nutritional patterns and influences from other factors (e.g., infections) could be markedly different here compared to high-income settings. In this article, we summarize the findings and current status of the Guinea-Bissau twin registry.

Establishing a Twin Registry in Guinea-Bissau

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morten Bjerregaard-Andersen ◽  
Margarida A. Gomes ◽  
Luis C. Joaquím ◽  
Amabelia Rodrigues ◽  
Dorte M. Jensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Monozygotic Twin ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Guinea Bissau ◽  
Health Project ◽  
Sub Saharan

Twins traditionally retain a special status in many African societies. In Guinea-Bissau, twins are often well regarded yet still suffer from a very high mortality, especially in the perinatal and infant period. At the Bandim Health Project, a health and demographic surveillance site, we have recently established one of the first twin registries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our short-term aim is to describe twin mortality and morbidity in order to design appropriate health interventions. Our long-term goal is a large-scale database to explore the pathogenesis of prevalent diseases; for example, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. A major focus area is also the etiology of low birth weight and how epigenetic processes might modulate the consequences of low birth weight in Sub-Saharan Africa. For this, monozygotic twin studies represent a powerful tool. Though twin studies have been carried out by the Bandim Health Project for more than 30 years, the renewed registry described here was officially established in 2009 and includes both a cohort of newborn twins and a cohort of young and adult twins. Currently more than 1,500 twins are being followed in the two cohorts combined. We believe that the registry holds exciting possibilities and will encourage the establishment of further twin registries across the region.

scholarly journals Factors associated with oral cavity cancers in Sub-Saharan Africa: Summary of the literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-41
Author(s):  
A Dieng ◽  
AD Faye ◽  
MM Ndiaye ◽  
G Diop ◽  
A Bouazé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Cavity ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Manual Search ◽  
African Populations ◽  
Localization Strategy ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Oral Cavity Cancers

INTRODUCTION: Oral cavity cancers are now a public health problem according to WHO epidemiological data. There are several risk factors or factors associated with cancers of the oral cavity but they vary according to geographic regions. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with cancers of the oral cavity in Sub-Saharan African populations through a systematic literature review. METHODOLOGY: Using the data available for the period from January 1980 to December 2019, a synthesis of the literature was carried out. The literature localization strategy included an electronic search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE and GOOGLE SCHOLAR databases from 1980 to 2019 and a manual search of the list of references of articles identified by snowballing. The data were extracted independently by two researchers on an Excel© spreadsheet. Parameters collected from each study were author, country, type of study, period of study, size, age, gender, and factors studied. RESULTS: Out of 1,318 articles found, 24 were selected. The data contained 17,290 patients including 8,229 men, i.e. a male / female sex-ratio of 0.91. Factors studied were tobacco, alcohol, diet, infection, genetics and social factors. CONCLUSION: The results reported showed that several factors are associated with the occurrence of oral cavity cancers in Sub-Saharan Africa. There is a need to conduct further studies with more structured methodologies for more convincing results.

scholarly journals Developing a New Technical Strategy for Rail Infrastructure in Low-Income Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (16) ◽  
pp. 4319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blumenfeld ◽  
Wemakor ◽  
Azzouz ◽  
Roberts
Keyword(s):  
South Asia ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Future Performance ◽  
Rail Infrastructure ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
19Th And 20Th Century ◽  
Economic Constraints

Low-income countries (LICs) in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia are investing in new railway lines to replace deteriorated infrastructure from the 19th and 20th century. These actions, despite financial and economic constraints, have been justified in common visions of continent-wide efficient networks to cope with the demands of growing populations. However, most of the recent rail infrastructure projects are driven by international suppliers’ preferences and financing rather than creating railways that match the requirements of interoperable regional networks. This paper therefore explores the current status of rail infrastructure in these LICs and the operational performance achieved to understand specific capability gaps in each regional network. Drawing from the experience of European countries in transforming regional future visions into applied research, a technical strategy for rail infrastructure in LICs is proposed. The strategy captures the key capabilities to be addressed in order to achieve future performance goals, while emphasizing the need for emerging technologies to be used in fit-for-purpose solutions. It is envisioned that the strategy will provide the basis for the development of continental technical strategy programs with specific technology roadmaps towards a common goal.

scholarly journals Prevention of Cervical Cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Advantages and Challenges of HPV Vaccination

Vaccines ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleanor Black ◽  
Robyn Richmond
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Hpv Vaccination ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Ssa Countries

Cervical cancer is a critical public health issue in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where it is the second leading cause of cancer among women and the leading cause of female cancer deaths. Incidence and mortality rates are substantially higher than in high-income countries with population-based screening programs, yet implementing screening programs in SSA has so far proven to be challenging due to financial, logistical, and sociocultural factors. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is an effective approach for primary prevention of cervical cancer and presents an opportunity to reduce the burden from cervical cancer in SSA. With a number of SSA countries now eligible for Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) support for vaccine introduction, it is timely to consider the factors that impede and facilitate implementation of vaccine programs in SSA. This article describes epidemiological features of cervical cancer in SSA and the current status of HPV vaccine implementation in SSA countries. Rwanda’s experience of achieving high vaccination coverage in their national HPV immunization program is used as a case study to explore effective approaches to the design and implementation of HPV vaccination programs in SSA. Key factors in Rwanda’s successful implementation included government ownership and support for the program, school-based delivery, social mobilization, and strategies for reaching out-of-school girls. These findings might usefully be applied to other SSA countries planning for HPV vaccination.

scholarly journals The wild dog—Africa's vanishing carnivore

Oryx ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
John H. Fanshawe ◽  
Lory H. Frame ◽  
Joshua R. Ginsberg
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Lycaon Pictus ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
African Wild Dog ◽  
The Status ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Wild Dog

This paper presents a synopsis of the current status and distribution of the African wild dog Lycaon pictus, outlines reasons for its decline and discusses recommendations to halt or reverse this decline. A recent review of the status of the species provides evidence that it has disappeared or is in decline throughout its range (sub-Saharan Africa). Relict populations with little or no chance of long-term survival are found in several countries including Algeria and Senegal. Countries believed to contain potentially viable populations are, from north to south, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa (only the Kruger National Park).

Sub-Saharan Africa's orphan crisis

2008 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 682-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Lombe ◽  
Alex Ochumbo
Keyword(s):  
Community Capacity ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Institutional Characteristics ◽  
Vulnerable Children ◽  
Multifaceted Approach ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Current Discussion ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Sub Saharan

English The dramatic increase in the number of children made vulnerable by AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa has necessitated research in treatment and prevention. We contribute to the current discussion on the orphan crisis by proposing a multifaceted approach utilizing institutional characteristics, with greater potential to strengthen community capacity and empower vulnerable children. French L'accroissement phénoménal des enfants vulnérabilisés par le SIDA en Afrique sub-saharienne a eu pour effet de stimuler la recherche en matière de traitements et de prévention. Cette étude s'inscrit dans la réflexion courante sur la crise des orphelinats et propose une approche multidimensionnelle qui tire parti des caractéristiques institutionnelles tout en renforçant les capacités des communautés et en redonnant davantage du pouvoir aux enfants vulnérables. Spanish El dramático incremento en el número de niños que se han hecho vulnerables por el SIDA, en el África Subsahariana, ha hecho necesaria la investigación en tratamiento y prevención. Nosotros aportamos a la discusión actual sobre la crisis de huérfanos, proponiendo un acercamiento multifacético, utilizando las características institucionales con mayor potencial para fortalecer la capacidad comunitaria y empoderar a los niños vulnerables.

scholarly journals Prevention of Cervical Cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa: the Promises and Challenges of HPV Vaccination

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleanor Black ◽  
Robyn Richmond
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Hpv Vaccination ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Ssa Countries

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), cervical cancer is a critical public health issue; it is the second leading cause of cancer among women and the leading cause of female cancer deaths. Incidence and mortality rates are substantially higher than in high-income countries with population-based screening programs, yet implementing screening programs in SSA has so far proven to be challenging due to financial, logistical and sociocultural factors. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is an effective approach for primary prevention of cervical cancer and presents an opportunity to reduce the burden from cervical cancer in SSA. With a number of SSA countries now eligible for GAVI support for vaccine introduction, it is timely to consider the factors that impede and facilitate implementation of vaccine programs in SSA. This article reviews the epidemiological and clinical features of cervical cancer in SSA and describes the current status of HPV vaccine implementation in SSA countries. The review considers the challenges that will need to be addressed, and effective approaches to the design and implementation of HPV vaccination programs, using Rwanda as a case study. The review aims to provide suggestions and guidance to those involved in the development and implementation of HPV vaccination programs in SSA.

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