Prevalence and patterns of chronic communicable and non-communicable diseases multimorbidity in sub-Saharan Africa: protocol for a systematic review

There is mounting evidence of the rising incidence and prevalence of non-communicable diseases in developing countries. Governments are facing serious challenges in health care due to the rising trends in non-communicable diseases as a result of demographic and epidemiological changes, as well as economic globalization. Cardiovascular disease, cancers, diabetes, respiratory disease, obesity andother non-communicable conditions now account for 59 percent of the 56.5 million global deaths annually, and almost half, or 46 percent, of the global burden of disease. It is estimated that by 2020, non-communicable diseases will account for 60% of the global burden of disease. The burden of non-communicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa is already substantial, and patients with these conditions make significant demands on health resources. How do these changes affect physiotherapists? This paper aims to highlight the need for physiotherapists to shift their focus from curative to preventive care in order to face the challenge of non-communicable diseases.

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Making primary healthcare responsive to non-communicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene ◽

10.1093/trstmh/traa004 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 114 (4) ◽

pp. 229-231 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Frank Baiden

Keyword(s):

Primary Healthcare ◽

Communicable Disease ◽

Premature Mortality ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Community Based ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Formal Integration ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Non Communicable Disease

Abstract Primary healthcare (PHC) meets the needs of people's health throughout their lives and empowers individuals and communities to oversee their own health. Most of the community-based activities currently undertaken in PHC in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) address child and maternal health. Non-communicable diseases are now major causes of morbidity and premature mortality in SSA. In this paper, I propose the formal integration of community-based, non-communicable disease prevention and early detection into PHC activities. I offer practical suggestions on how this can be achieved to ensure a continuum of care.

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Leveraging HIV Care Infrastructures for Integrated Chronic Disease and Pandemic Management in Sub-Saharan Africa

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182010751 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (20) ◽

pp. 10751

Author(s):

Marie Brault ◽

Sten Vermund ◽

Muktar Aliyu ◽

Saad Omer ◽

Dave Clark ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South African ◽

Communicable Disease ◽

Low Cost ◽

Healthcare Delivery ◽

Strong Support ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Hiv Care ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Sub Saharan

In Sub-Saharan Africa, communicable and other tropical infectious diseases remain major challenges apart from the continuing HIV/AIDS epidemic. Recognition and prevalence of non-communicable diseases have risen throughout Africa, and the reimagining of healthcare delivery is needed to support communities coping with not only with HIV, tuberculosis, and COVID-19, but also cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression. Many non-communicable diseases can be prevented or treated with low-cost interventions, yet implementation of such care has been limited in the region. In this Perspective piece, we argue that deployment of an integrated service delivery model is an urgent next step, propose a South African model for integration, and conclude with recommendations for next steps in research and implementation. An approach that is inspired by South African experience would build on existing HIV-focused infrastructure that has been developed by Ministries of Health with strong support from the U.S. President’s Emergency Response for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. An integrated chronic healthcare model holds promise to sustainably deliver infectious disease and non-communicable disease care. Integrated care will be especially critical as health systems seek to cope with the unprecedented challenges associated with COVID-19 and future pandemic threats.

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