Factors associated with frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption among selected sub-Saharan African populations: evidence from the Cardiovascular H3Africa Innovation Resource Project.

Background: Frequent fruit and vegetable consumption is considered a promising dietary behaviour that protects health. However, most existing studies about the factors associated with this phenomenon among Africans are based on single-country reports, apart from one meta-regression combining smaller studies. This study harmonized large datasets and assessed factors associated with the frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption in this population.

Clinical and neuroimaging factors associated with 30-day fatality among indigenous West Africans with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.

Background: Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with a high case fatality rate in resource-limited settings. The independent predictors of poor outcome after ICH in sub-Saharan Africa remains to be characterized in large epidemiological studies. We aimed to determine factors associated with 30-day fatality among West African patients with ICH.

Non-cigarette Tobacco Use and Stroke Among West Africans: Evidence From the SIREN Study.

Introduction: Non-cigarette tobacco (NCT) represents a form of tobacco use with a misperceived significance in chronic disease events. Whether NCT use is sufficient to promote stroke events, especially among Africans, is yet to be understood. This study assessed the relationship between NCT use and stroke among indigenous Africans.

Research participants' perception of ethical issues in stroke genomics and neurobiobanking research in Africa.

Background: There is a growing interest in stroke genomics and neurobiobanking research in Africa. These raise several ethical issues, such as consent, re-use, data sharing, storage, and incidental result of biological samples. Despite the availability of ethical guidelines developed for research in Africa, there is paucity of information on how the research participants' perspectives could guide the research community on ethical issues in stroke genomics and neurobiobanking research.

Risk Assessment Score and Chi-Square Automatic Interaction Detection Algorithm for Hypertension Among Africans: Models From the SIREN Study.

Background: This study aimed to develop a risk-scoring model for hypertension among Africans.

Methods: In this study, 4413 stroke-free controls were used to develop the risk-scoring model for hypertension. Logistic regression models were applied to 13 risk factors.

Determinants of First-Ever Stroke Severity in West Africans: Evidence From the SIREN Study.

Background Baseline stroke severity is probably partly responsible for poor stroke outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is a paucity of information on determinants of stroke severity among indigenous Africans. We sought to identify the factors associated with stroke severity among West Africans in the SIREN (Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Networks) study.

Patient-level and system-level determinants of stroke fatality across 16 large hospitals in Ghana and Nigeria: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Every minute, six indigenous Africans develop new strokes. Patient-level and system-level contributors to early stroke fatality in this region are yet to be delineated. We aimed to identify and quantify the contributions of patient-level and system-level determinants of inpatient stroke fatality across 16 hospitals in Ghana and Nigeria.

Are there differences in perceptions, preferences and attitudes towards disclosure of genetic testing for Stroke? A qualitative study among stroke-free SIREN-SIBS genomics study participants.

Objective: This study explored perceptions, preferences and attitudes towards disclosure of genetic testing results for stroke among stroke-free controls (and their family members) in the SIREN-SIBS Genomics Study, healthcare providers and policymakers.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a qualitative thematic analysis of key informant interviews with 61 participants recruited from community advisory boards (30) and health care providers (31) across seven sites in Nigeria and Ghana.

Results: Major findings illustrate differences in the knowledge of genetic testing with superior knowledge among health care professionals.

Secondhand smoke exposure is independently associated with stroke among non-smoking adults in West Africa.

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide, but little is known about the contribution of secondhand smoke exposure (SHSE) to stroke epidemiology among indigenous Africans.

Objective: To evaluate the association of SHSE with stroke among indigenous Africans.

Methods: We analyzed the relationship of SHSE with stroke among 2990 case-control pairs of adults who had never smoked (identified in the SIREN study) using conditional logistic regression at a two-sided P < 0.

Magnitude of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), due to its potential for causing morbidity and disability from foot ulcers and amputations, is increasingly becoming a source of concern in Saudi Arabia and worldwide. However, wide variability exists in the prevalence of DPN reported in previous studies in Saudi Arabia, limiting the utility of existing data in national public health policy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the magnitude of DPN in patients living with DM in Saudi Arabia in order to inform policymakers during the implementation of appropriate preventive and treatment strategies for DPN.

Differential associations between pre-diabetes, diabetes and stroke occurrence among West Africans.

Background: There are limited data from Africa on the burden and associations between pre-diabetes (pre-DM), diabetes mellitus (DM) and stroke occurrence in a region experiencing a profound rise in stroke burden.

Purpose: To characterize the associations between stroke and dysglycemic status among West Africans.

Methods: The Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network (SIREN) is a multicenter, case-control study involving 15 sites in Ghana and Nigeria.

Frequent vegetable consumption is inversely associated with hypertension among indigenous Africans.

Aims: The relationship between vegetable consumption and hypertension occurrence remains poorly characterized in sub-Saharan Africa. This study assessed the association of vegetable consumption with odds of hypertension among indigenous Africans.

Methods And Results: We harmonized data on prior vegetable consumption and hypertension occurrence (defined as one of the following conditions; systolic blood pressure ≥140 or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg or previous diagnosis or use of antihypertensive medications) from 16 445 participants across five African countries (Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and Burkina Faso) in the Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network and Africa Wits-INDEPTH partnership for Genomic studies.

Determinants of metabolic syndrome and its prognostic implications among stroke patients in Africa: Findings from the Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network (SIREN) study.

Background: The prognostic implications of metabolic syndrome (METS) among African stroke patients are poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the determinants of METS and its prognostic implications among Africans with newly diagnosed stroke in the SIREN study.

Methods: We included stroke cases (adults aged >18 years with CT/MRI confirmed stroke).

Biological sample donation and informed consent for neurobiobanking: Evidence from a community survey in Ghana and Nigeria.

Introduction: Genomic research and neurobiobanking are expanding globally. Empirical evidence on the level of awareness and willingness to donate/share biological samples towards the expansion of neurobiobanking in sub-Saharan Africa is lacking.

Aims: To ascertain the awareness, perspectives and predictors regarding biological sample donation, sharing and informed consent preferences among community members in Ghana and Nigeria.

Legal Implications of Stroke Biobanking and Genomics Research in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Stroke is a major cause of death in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and genetic factors appear to play a part. This has led to stroke biobanking and genomics research in SSA. Existing stroke studies have focused on causes, incidence rates, fatalities and effects.

Capacity-Building for Stroke Genomic Research Data Collection: The African Neurobiobank Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications Project Experience.

The fields of stroke genomics, biobanking, and precision medicine are rapidly expanding in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of emerging neurobiobanking and genomic data resources are unclear in an emerging African scientific landscape with unique cultural, linguistic, and belief systems. This article documents capacity-building experiences of researchers during the development, pretesting, and validation of data collection instruments of the African Neurobiobank for Precision Stroke Medicine-(ELSI) Project.

Frequency & factors associated with recurrent stroke in Ghana and Nigeria.

Background: Data on the burden and outcomes of recurrent strokes in sub-Saharan Africa are limited, impeding efforts at optimal recurrent stroke prevention.

Objective: To assess the prevalence, risk factor profile, stroke types and mortality from recurrent strokes in Ghana and Nigeria.

Methods: We analyzed data from 3553 stroke cases involved in the Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Networks (SIREN) study for proportion with recurrent strokes.

Disease-specific quality of life in patients with diabetic neuropathy.

Objectives: To compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetic neuropathy (DN) (D+N) with patients with DM without DN (D-DN) and healthy participants. To evaluate factors associated with poor HRQoL in patients with DN.

Methods: This study included 306 participants residing in Bisha, Saudi Arabia.

Dietary patterns associated with stroke among West Africans: A case-control study.

Background: The relationship of diet with stroke risk among Africans is not well understood.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between dietary patterns and stroke risk among West Africans.

Methods: In this multi-center case-control study, 3684 stroke patients matched (for age and sex) with 3684 healthy controls were recruited from Nigeria and Ghana.

Normative data for ulnar nerve conduction and the influence of gender and height on ulnar nerve conduction velocity in healthy Nigerians.

Background: Despite the usefulness of ulnar nerve conduction studies in identifying disorders of ulnar nerves, there is a lack of normative values for the ulnar nerve in Nigerian population.

Objective: The objective of the study was to generate normative values for motor and sensory ulnar nerve conduction studies (NCSs) in Nigerian population and to determine the influence of gender and height on ulnar nerve conduction velocity (NCV).

Materials And Methods: A total of 200 healthy volunteers were selected after clinical evaluation to exclude common causes of ulnar neuropathy.

Symbolic Legislation and the Regulation of Stroke Biobanking and Genomics Research in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Stroke is a major cause of death in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and genetic factors appear to play a part. This led to the development of stroke bio-banking and genomics research in SSA. Existing stroke studies have focused on causes, incidence rates, fatalities and effects.

Sociodemographic and behavioural risk factors for obesity among community-dwelling older adults in Ghana and Nigeria: A secondary analysis of data from the SIREN study.

Objectives: To explore the prevalence and risk factors of obesity among older adults from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of data obtained from the SIREN study through in-person interviews and measurements from healthy stroke-free older adults (≥60 years). Overweight/obesity was defined as body mass index 25 kg/m.

Risk Factor Characterization of Ischemic Stroke Subtypes Among West Africans.

Background And Purpose: To identify the qualitative and quantitative contributions of conventional risk factors for occurrence of ischemic stroke and its key pathophysiologic subtypes among West Africans.

Methods: The SIREN (Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network) is a multicenter, case-control study involving 15 sites in Ghana and Nigeria. Cases include adults aged ≥18 years with ischemic stroke who were etiologically subtyped using the A-S-C-O-D classification into atherosclerosis, small-vessel occlusion, cardiac pathology, other causes, and dissection.