Non-communicable airway disease and air pollution in three African Countries: Benin, Cameroon and The Gambia.

Background: Air pollution exposure can increase the risk of development and exacerbation of chronic airway disease (CAD). We set out to assess CAD patients in Benin, Cameroon and The Gambia and to compare their measured exposures to air pollution.

Methodology: We recruited patients with a diagnosis of CAD from four clinics in the three countries.

Identifying globally relevant learnings from Africa's challenges and solutions to climate change and air pollution-related health impacts: a data science scoping review protocol.

Introduction: Leveraging data science could significantly advance the understanding of the health impacts of climate change and air pollution to meet health systems' needs and improve public health in Africa. This scoping review will aim to identify and synthesise evidence on the use of data science as an intervention to address climate change and air pollution-related health challenges in Africa.

Methods And Analysis: The search strategy will be developed, and the search will be conducted in the Web of Science, Scopus, CAB Abstracts, MEDLINE and EMBASE electronic databases.

Clinical standards for the diagnosis and management of asthma in low- and middle-income countries.

The aim of these clinical standards is to aid the diagnosis and management of asthma in low-resource settings in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A panel of 52 experts in the field of asthma in LMICs participated in a two-stage Delphi process to establish and reach a consensus on the clinical standards. Eighteen clinical standards were defined: Standard 1, Every individual with symptoms and signs compatible with asthma should undergo a clinical assessment; Standard 2, In individuals (>6 years) with a clinical assessment supportive of a diagnosis of asthma, a hand-held spirometry measurement should be used to confirm variable expiratory airflow limitation by demonstrating an acute response to a bronchodilator; Standard 3, Pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry should be performed in individuals (>6 years) to support diagnosis before treatment is commenced if there is diagnostic uncertainty; Standard 4, Individuals with an acute exacerbation of asthma and clinical signs of hypoxaemia or increased work of breathing should be given supplementary oxygen to maintain saturation at 94-98%; Standard 5, Inhaled short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABAs) should be used as an emergency reliever in individuals with asthma via an appropriate spacer device for metered-dose inhalers; Standard 6, Short-course oral corticosteroids should be administered in appropriate doses to individuals having moderate to severe acute asthma exacerbations (minimum 3-5 days); Standard 7, Individuals having a severe asthma exacerbation should receive emergency care, including oxygen therapy, systemic corticosteroids, inhaled bronchodilators (e.

Air quality management strategies in Africa: A scoping review of the content, context, co-benefits and unintended consequences.

One of the major consequences of Africa's rapid urbanisation is the worsening air pollution, especially in urban centres. However, existing societal challenges such as recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty, intensifying effects of climate change are making prioritisation of addressing air pollution harder. We undertook a scoping review of strategies developed and/or implemented in Africa to provide a repository to stakeholders as a reference that could be applied for various local contexts.

Patients with presumed tuberculosis in sub-Saharan Africa that are not diagnosed with tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Many patients in sub-Saharan Africa whom a diagnosis of tuberculosis is considered are subsequently not diagnosed with tuberculosis. The proportion of patients this represents, and their alternative diagnoses, have not previously been systematically reviewed.

Methods: We searched four databases from inception to 27 April 2020, without language restrictions.

Intense and Mild First Epidemic Wave of Coronavirus Disease, The Gambia.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is evolving differently in Africa than in other regions. Africa has lower SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates and milder clinical manifestations. Detailed SARS-CoV-2 epidemiologic data are needed in Africa.

Spirometry Abnormalities and Its Associated Factors Among Primary School Children in a Nigerian City.

Background: There is paucity of data on objectively measured lung function abnormalities in Nigerian children using diagnostic testing methods such as spirometry. Such assessments could prompt early diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.

Methods: This was a cross sectional study among children aged 6 to 12 years in South-Eastern Nigeria.

Knowledge Attitude and Practice Regarding Obstructive Sleep Apnea among Medical Doctors in Southern Nigeria.

Background: Despite the high global burden of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), doctors' knowledge of OSA was reported to be generally poor. Data on knowledge, attitude and practice of doctors regarding OSA are scarce in Africa. The only Nigerian study providing data on this included few participants and did not assess practice.

Measuring Air Quality for Advocacy in Africa (MA3): Feasibility and Practicality of Longitudinal Ambient PM Measurement Using Low-Cost Sensors.

Ambient air pollution in urban cities in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is an important public health problem with models and limited monitoring data indicating high concentrations of pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM). On most global air quality index maps, however, information about ambient pollution from SSA is scarce. We evaluated the feasibility and practicality of longitudinal measurements of ambient PM using low-cost air quality sensors (Purple Air-II-SD) across thirteen locations in seven countries in SSA.

Domestic solid fuel combustion in an adult population in Nigeria: A cross sectional analysis of association with respiratory symptoms, quality of life and lung function.

Background And Objectives: We examined the association of respiratory symptoms, health status, and lung function with the use of solid fuel (wood, charcoal, coal or crop residue) for cooking or heating in a predominantly non-smoking population.

Methods: Using the protocol of the Burden of Obstructive Lung Diseases (BOLD) initiative, we collected representative population data using questionnaires and spirometry tests. We categorized solid fuel use into 'never user', 'ex user' and 'current user' based on responses to the survey.

A survey of the knowledge of general practitioners, family physicians and pulmonologists in Nigeria regarding the diagnosis and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: The level of knowledge of doctors regarding chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management impacts on their ability to appropriately diagnose and treat COPD.

Objectives: To assess the level of knowledge of Nigerian doctors regarding COPD management and explore the independent determinants of the level of knowledge.

Methods: A questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge of general practitioners (GPs), family physicians (FPs) and pulmonologists in Nigeria regarding COPD management as recommended by the guidelines.