A template for improved prevention and control of cardiovascular disease in sub-Saharan Africa

Nutritional status and dietary pattern of the elderly in Thulamela Municipality of Vhembe District

BACKGROUND

Dietary patterns provide comprehensive information about the food consumption habits within a population and how an individual's dietary pattern may change with age.

AIM

To evaluate the nutritional status and dietary patterns of the elderly in Thulamela municipality of Vhembe district, Limpopo province.

SETTING

Study was conducted in Thulamela municipality of Vhembe district, Limpopo province.

METHODS

This study included 300 elderly people recruited from Thulamela municipality of Vhembe district, Limpopo province. The municipality was randomly selected, and convenience sampling was used to choose elderly people. Body weight and height were measured using standard techniques. Body mass index (BMI) was determined and classified using BMI categories. Data on dietary patterns and dietary intake were collected using a food frequency questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 300 elderly people from villages participated in the study. About 38.6% of elderly people had a primary education, while 28.1% had a secondary education. The prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity was 2.0%, 34.0% and 17.0%, respectively. Less than half of the elderly people did not meet the reference intake of energy (p = 0.023). More than half of the elderly people did not meet the reference intake of protein, iron, zinc, potassium, calcium and vitamins B1, B12 and C. It was found that 13.7% of the elderly skipped breakfast every day. About 19.6% of the elderly ate supper sometimes, while 13.7% did not eat supper.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the study revealed that most of the participants ate three main meals a day, with a minority skipping either breakfast or dinner or eating in between meals. The prevalence of underweight was low and that of overweight and obesity was high.Contribution: Poor food choices and physiological changes may reduce the inclusion of food rich in minerals and vitamins in the elderly's diets and prompt the prevalence of malnutrition.

Estimating the prevalence and awareness rates of hypertension in Africa: a systematic analysis

Background

The burden of hypertension is high in Africa, and due to rapid population growth and ageing, the exact burden on the continent is still far from being known. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and awareness rates of hypertension in Africa based on the cut off “≥140/90 mm Hg”.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search of Medline, EMBASE and Global Health. Search date was set from January 1980 to December 2013. We included population-based studies on hypertension, conducted among people aged ≥15 years and providing numerical estimates on the prevalence of hypertension in Africa. Overall pooled prevalence of hypertension in mixed, rural and urban settings in Africa were estimated from reported crude prevalence rates. A meta-regression epidemiological modelling, using United Nations population demographics for the years 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2030, was applied to determine the prevalence rates and number of cases of hypertension in Africa separately for these four years.

Results

Our search returned 7680 publications, 92 of which met the selection criteria. The overall pooled prevalence of hypertension in Africa was 19.7% in 1990, 27.4% in 2000 and 30.8% in 2010, each with a pooled awareness rate (expressed as percentage of hypertensive cases) of 16.9%, 29.2% and 33.7%, respectively. From the modelling, over 54.6 million cases of hypertension were estimated in 1990, 92.3 million cases in 2000, 130.2 million cases in 2010, and a projected increase to 216.8 million cases of hypertension by 2030; each with an age-adjusted prevalence of 19.1% (13.9, 25.5), 24.3% (23.3, 31.6), 25.9% (23.5, 34.0), and 25.3% (24.3, 39.7), respectively.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest the prevalence of hypertension is increasing in Africa, and many hypertensive individuals are not aware of their condition. We hope this research will prompt appropriate policy response towards improving the awareness, control and overall management of hypertension in Africa.

Health seeking behaviour and the related household out-of-pocket expenditure for chronic non-communicable diseases in rural Malawi

Malawi is facing a rising chronic non-communicable disease (CNCD) epidemic. This study explored health seeking behaviour and related expenditure on CNCDs in rural Malawi, with specific focus on detecting potential differences across population groups. We used data from the first round of a panel household health survey conducted in rural Malawi between August and October 2012 on a sample of 1199 households. Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyse factors associated with health seeking choices for CNCDs, distinguishing between no care, informal care and formal care. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation and median) were used to describe related household out-of-pocket expenditure. There were 475 individuals (equivalent to 8.4% of all respondents) reporting at least one CNCD. Among them, 37.3% did not seek any care, 42.5% sought formal care (facility-based care), and 20.2% opted for informal care (traditional or home treatment). Regression analysis showed that illness severity and duration, socio-economic status, being a household head, and the proportion of household members living with a CNCD were significantly associated with health care utilization. Among those seeking care, 65.8% incurred out-of-pocket expenditure with an average of USD 1.49 spent on medical treatment and an additional USD 0.50 spent on transport. Further qualitative inquiry is needed to understand the reasons for low service utilization and to explore the potential role of supply-side factors. To increase access to care for people suffering from CNCDs, the provision of a free Essential Health Package in Malawi ought to be strengthened through the integration of system-wide screening, risk factor modification and continuity of care options for people suffering from CNCDs. This would ensure affordable services to modulate health seeking behaviour of patients at risk of major chronic illnesses.

Nutrition, health, and aging in sub-Saharan Africa

The proportion of the population that is > or = 60 years of age in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is increasing rapidly and is likely to constrain healthcare systems in the future. Nevertheless, the elderly are not a health policy priority for African countries. This paper reviews the nutritional and health status of older adults in SSA and their determinants. Literature was abstracted through the Medline, Google Scholar, and Dogpile databases using the following search terms: sub-Saharan Africa, older adults, nutrition, health. Findings showed that up to half (6-48%) of elderly Africans in SSA are underweight and almost a quarter (2.5-21%) are overweight, while 56% of older South Africans are obese. Low-quality diets contribute to poor nutritional status. Poverty, HIV/AIDS, and complex humanitarian emergencies are major determinants of undernutrition. Effective interventions need to consider socioeconomic, health, and demographic factors; social pensions may be the most cost-effective option for improving the health and nutritional status of the elderly in SSA.

Burden of stroke in black populations in sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa is undergoing epidemiological transition. Stroke and other vascular diseases increasingly contribute to the burden of disease. There are no systematic reviews of stroke mortality, prevalence, incidence, and case fatality. We combined a thorough search and critical assessment of the published research. Stroke mortality is as high, perhaps higher, than in high-income regions and increases with age in sub-Saharan Africa as in high-income countries, but the absolute number of stroke deaths remains low. There are no adequate community-based stroke incidence studies. Hospital-based incidence is lower than in high-income regions, but higher in young people, possibly due to hospital admission bias. There are no community-based data on case fatality, but hospital-based case fatality is higher than elsewhere. The prevalence of stroke is lower than in high-income regions, but disabling stroke is as prevalent. As the region develops economically, the incidence of stroke and other vascular diseases will increase unless interventions are implemented. Only community-based incidence studies will accurately reveal the burden of stroke.