Patterns and Predictors of HIV Comorbidity among Adolescents and Young Adults in South Africa.

Adolescents and young adults (AYA) are identified as a high-risk group for HIV acquisition. However, health services are generally not sensitive to the needs of this priority population. In addition, multimorbidity (having more than one disease in an individual) is not well studied among AYA, as it is typically associated with older individuals.

Multimorbidity, Treatment, and Determinants among Chronic Patients Attending Primary Health Facilities in Tshwane, South Africa.

The growing burden of non-communicable diseases amidst the largest burden of HIV in South Africa leads to disease combinations of multimorbidity with the complexity of care. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess multimorbidity, medication adherence, and associated factors among out-patients with chronic diseases in primary health care (PHC) facilities in Tshwane, South Africa. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on comorbidities and medication adherence, along with socio-demographic and lifestyle factors.

Multimorbidity in South Africa: Is the health system ready?

Multimorbidity is likely to be a significant contributor to ill health and inequality in South Africa and yet has been largely overlooked. This paper focuses on the findings of a recent large study that highlighted emerging issues - namely (i) the high levels of multimorbidity among three key groups - older adults, women, and the wealthy; (ii) discordant and concordant disease clusters among the multimorbid. Narrative.

Multimorbidity patterns in South Africa: A latent class analysis.

Introduction: South Africa has the largest burden of HIV worldwide and has a growing burden of non-communicable diseases; the combination of which may lead to diseases clustering in ways that are not seen in other regions. This study sought to identify common disease classes and sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with each disease class.

Methods: Data were analyzed from the South African Demographic and Health Survey 2016.

A systematic method for comparing multimorbidity in national surveys.

Objective: Due to gaps in the literature, we developed a systematic method to assess multimorbidity using national surveys. The objectives of this study were thus to identify methods used to define and measure multimorbidity, to create a pre-defined list of disease conditions, to identify potential national surveys to include, to select disease conditions for each survey, and to analyse and compare the survey findings.

Results: We used the count method to define multimorbidity.

One in five South Africans are multimorbid: An analysis of the 2016 demographic and health survey.

Multimorbidity is a global research priority, yet relatively little is known about it in low and middle income countries. South Africa has the largest burden of HIV worldwide but also has a growing burden of non-communicable diseases; potentially leading to uncommon disease combinations. Information about the prevalence of multimorbidity and factors associated with it can assist in healthcare planning and targeting groups of people for interventions.

Decolonising multimorbidity? research gaps in low and middle-income countries.

Multimorbidity is defined as the co-existence of multiple health conditions in one person. However, its use in research has been predominantly applied to non-communicable diseases, because research was conducted almost exclusively in developed countries. More recently, infectious diseases of long duration, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), have also been included in the conceptualization of multimorbidity.

Multimorbidity Patterns in a National HIV Survey of South African Youth and Adults.

Introduction: Information pertaining to multimorbidity is frequently informed by studies from high income countries and it is unclear how these findings relate to low and middle income countries, where the burden of infectious disease is high. South Africa has a quadruple burden of disease which includes a high HIV prevalence and a growing burden of non-communicable diseases. This study aimed to analyse the prevalence and patterns (disease classes or clusters) of multimorbidity in South Africa.

Aging with HIV: Increased Risk of HIV Comorbidities in Older Adults.

With improved access to antiretroviral treatment (ART), adults with HIV live longer to reach older age. The number of older adults living with HIV is increasing steadily, giving rise to a new population of interest in HIV research and for invigorated considerations in health service delivery and policy. We analysed the profile of comorbidities in older people (50 years and older) living with HIV in South Africa.

Multimorbidity in South Africa: a systematic review of prevalence studies.

Objectives: To review prevalence studies of multimorbidity in South Africa to identify prevalence estimates, common disease clusters and factors associated with multimorbidity.

Design: Systematic review.

Setting: South Africa (general community and healthcare facilities).

Can non-fatal burden estimates from the Global Burden of Disease study be used locally? An investigation using models of stroke and diabetes for South Africa.

: The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) approach estimates disease burden by combining fatal (years of life lost) and non-fatal burden prevalence-based years of life lived with disability (PYLDs) estimates. Although South Africa has data to estimate mortality, prevalence data to estimate non-fatal burden are sparse. PYLD estimates from the GBD study for South Africa can potentially be used.

Prevalence of multimorbidity in South Africa: a systematic review protocol.

Introduction: Multimorbidity has increased globally over the past two decades, due to ageing populations and increased burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In a country like South Africa, with a growing burden of NCDs and a high prevalence of HIV, information on multimorbidity can improve planning for healthcare delivery and utilisation, and reduce costs in the context of constrained health resources. This review aims to synthesise prevalence studies on multimorbidity, and identify dominant clusters and trends of multimorbidity in South Africa.

Epidemiology of lower respiratory infection and pneumonia in South Africa (1997-2015): a systematic review protocol.

Introduction: Lower respiratory infections (LRIs) and pneumonia are among the leading causes of death worldwide, especially in children aged under 5 years, and these patterns are reflected in the South African population. Local epidemiological data for LRIs and pneumonia are required to inform the Second National Burden of Disease Study underway in South Africa. The aim of this systematic review is to identify published studies reporting the prevalence, incidence, case fatality, duration or severity of LRI and pneumonia in adults and children in South Africa.

Epidemiology of major depressive disorder in South Africa (1997-2015): a systematic review protocol.

Introduction: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disease and disability globally and in South Africa. Epidemiological data for MDD are essential to estimate the overall disease burden in a country. The objective of the systematic review is to examine the evidence base for prevalence, incidence, remission, duration, severity, case fatality and excess mortality of MDD in South Africa from 1997 to 2015.

Availability and quality of routine morbidity data: review of studies in South Africa.

Objectives: Routine health information systems (RHISs) provide data that are vital for planning and monitoring individual health. Data from RHISs could also be used for purposes for which they were not originally intended, provided that the data are of sufficient quality. For example, morbidity data could be used to inform burden of disease estimations, which serve as important evidence to prioritize interventions and promote health.