Association between urban-rural location and prevalence of type 2 diabetes and impaired fasting glucose in West Africa: a cross-sectional population-based epidemiological study.

Objectives: We investigated the association between urban/rural location and both type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and pre-diabetes among populations of five West African countries.

Design: Cross-sectional studies, using the WHO Stepwise (STEPs) survey data.

Setting: National representative data of both urban and rural areas from Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Liberia and Mali.

A comparison of unhealthy lifestyle practices among adults with hypertension aware and unaware of their hypertensive status: results from the 2013 WHO STEPS survey in Burkina Faso.

Background: We compared the prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle factors between the hypertensive adults who were aware and unaware of their hypertensive status and assessed the factors associated with being aware of one's hypertension among adults in Burkina Faso.

Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from the World Health Organization Stepwise approach to surveillance survey conducted in 2013 in Burkina Faso. Lifestyle factors analysed were fruits and vegetables (FV) consumption, tooth cleaning, alcohol and tobacco use, body mass index and physical activity.

Challenges and Opportunities for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in the COVID-19 Response in Africa: A Mixed-Methods Study.

This research aimed to (1) assess the extent to which mental health and psycho-social support (MHPSS) was included in the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic in African countries, and (2) explore barriers and enablers to MHPSS integration into the COVID-19 response. A mixed-methods study, using an online survey and in-depth interviews, was conducted. Participants included Mental Health Focal Points at the Ministries of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) country and regional offices, and civil society representatives.

How alcohol and/or tobacco use and raised glycemia are associated with oral hygiene practices among Burkinabè adults: Evidence from the first national non-communicable disease risk factors survey.

Socio-demographic correlates with oral hygiene practices are commonly investigated. The present study aimed to determine whether alcohol and/or tobacco use and hyperglycemia were associated with oral hygiene practices among Burkinabè adults. This descriptive, cross-sectional study included 4550 adults selected through multistage cluster sampling performed during the first WHO STEPS survey conducted in 2013 in Burkina Faso.

Effect of age and sex on the associations between potential modifiable risk factors and both type 2 diabetes and impaired fasting glycaemia among West African adults.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is becoming one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, including among Africans. Knowledge of the association between traditional risk factors and both diabetes and pre-diabetes, and whether these differ by age and sex, is important for designing targeted interventions. However, little is known about these associations for African populations.

Associations between obesity indices and both type 2 diabetes and impaired fasting glucose among West African adults: Results from WHO STEPS surveys.

Background And Aim: Various obesity indices such as BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio, (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) are associated with the risk of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Given few studies examining the strength of the association in this population, we aimed to identify which obesity indices are most strongly associated with T2DM and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) among adults from five West African countries.

Methods And Results: Data from 15,520 participants from the World Health Organisation (WHO) STEPs surveys in Burkina Faso, Benin, Mali, Liberia, and Ghana were included in analyses.

Prevalence, awareness and control of hypertension in Ghana: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Hypertension is a major health problem in Ghana, being a leading cause of admissions and deaths in the country. In the context of a changing food and health policy environment, we undertook a systematic review (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020177174) and a meta-analysis of the prevalence of adult hypertension, and its awareness and control in Ghana.

Methods: We searched major databases including PubMed, Embase as well as Google Scholar and online digital collections of public universities of Ghana to locate relevant published and unpublished community-based articles up till April 2020.

Trends and inequalities in the nutritional status of adolescent girls and adult women in sub-Saharan Africa since 2000: a cross-sectional series study.

Introduction: Evidence on the rate at which the double burden of malnutrition unfolds is limited. We quantified trends and inequalities in the nutritional status of adolescent girls and adult women in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: We analysed 102 Demographic and Health Surveys between 1993 and 2017 from 35 countries.

Determinants of systemic hypertension in older adults in Africa: a systematic review.

Background: An estimated 55% of older adults in Africa have systemic hypertension, a major risk factor for stroke, heart failure and dementia in the region. The risk factors associated with hypertension in this population group in Africa have not been systematically evaluated. We, therefore, undertook a systematic review to identify these risk factors.

Hypertension in older adults in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Hypertension is the leading driver of cardiovascular disease deaths in Africa. Its prevalence is highest in older populations. Yet, this group has received little attention in many African countries.

Prevalence, awareness, and associated risk factors of hypertension in older adults in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

Background: The health of older persons has not been a major priority in many African countries. Hypertension is one of the common health problems of older persons. However, there is little information on the prevalence of hypertension in older adults in Africa.

Determinants of Mean Blood Pressure and Hypertension among Workers in West Africa.

Background. This review was undertaken to estimate the mean blood pressure and evaluate its determinants as well as the determinants of hypertension among workers in West Africa. Methods.

A comprehensive mapping of the current capacity for human nutrition training in Cameroon.

Background: There is consensus among stakeholders in Cameroon on the need to develop and strengthen human resource capacity for nutrition. This study was conducted to provide a comprehensive mapping of the current capacity for tertiary-level human nutrition training in Cameroon.

Design: Participating institutions included university-level institutions offering dedicated nutrition degree programs or other programs in which nutrition courses were taught.

The prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension among workers in West Africa: a systematic review.

Background: : Interventions in workplace settings are considered to be cost-effective in preventing cardiovascular diseases. A systematic review was conducted to assess the prevalence of hypertension and the level of awareness and control among workers in West Africa.

Design: A systematic search for studies on formal and informal sector workers aged ≥15 years in West Africa published between 1980 and September 2014 was undertaken using the Ovid Medline, Embase, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases.

An overview of the nutrition transition in West Africa: implications for non-communicable diseases.

The nutrition landscape in West Africa has been dominated by the programmes to address undernutrition. However, with increasing urbanisation, technological developments and associated change in dietary patterns and physical activity, childhood and adult overweight, and obesity are becoming more prevalent. There is an evidence of increasing intake of dietary energy, fat, sugars and protein.

Learning lessons from operational research in infectious diseases: can the same model be used for noncommunicable diseases in developing countries?

About three-quarters of global deaths from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) occur in developing countries. Nearly a third of these deaths occur before the age of 60 years. These deaths are projected to increase, fueled by such factors as urbanization, nutrition transition, lifestyle changes, and aging.

Nutrition training in medical and other health professional schools in West Africa: the need to improve current approaches and enhance training effectiveness.

Background: Health professionals play a key role in the delivery of nutrition interventions. Improving the quality of nutrition training in health professional schools is vital for building the necessary human resource capacity to implement effective interventions for reducing malnutrition in West Africa. This study was undertaken to assess the current status of nutrition training in medical, nursing and midwifery schools in West Africa.

A systematic assessment of the current capacity to act in nutrition in West Africa: cross-country similarities and differences.

Background: Although it is widely accepted that lack of capacity is one of the barriers to scaling up nutrition in West Africa, there is a paucity of information about what capacities exist and the capacities that need to be developed to accelerate progress toward improved nutrition outcomes in the region.

Objective: To systematically assess the current capacity to act in nutrition in the West Africa region and explore cross-country similarities and differences.

Design: Data were collected from 13 West African countries through interviews with government officials, key development partners, tertiary-level training institutions, and health professional schools.

Region-wide assessment of the capacity for human nutrition training in West Africa: current situation, challenges, and way forward.

Background: There is a dearth of information on existing nutrition training programs in West Africa. A preliminary step in the process of developing a comprehensive framework to strengthen human capacity for nutrition is to conduct an inventory of existing training programs.

Objective: This study was conducted to provide baseline data on university-level nutrition training programs that exist in the 16 countries in West Africa.

Costs, effects and cost-effectiveness of breast cancer control in Ghana.

Objective: Breast cancer control in Ghana is characterised by low awareness, late-stage treatment and poor survival. In settings with severely constrained health resources, there is a need to spend money wisely. To achieve this and to guide policy makers in their selection of interventions, this study systematically compares costs and effects of breast cancer control interventions in Ghana.

Epidemic of hypertension in Ghana: a systematic review.

Background: Hypertension is a major risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases in developing countries. A comprehensive review of the prevalence of hypertension provides crucial information for the evaluation and implementation of appropriate programmes.

Methods: The PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched for published articles on the population-based prevalence of adult hypertension in Ghana between 1970 and August 2009, supplemented by a manual search of retrieved references.

Balancing equity and efficiency in health priorities in Ghana: the use of multicriteria decision analysis.

Objectives: To guide the Ministry of Health in Ghana in the priority setting of interventions by quantifying the trade-off between equity, efficiency, and other societal concerns in health.

Methods: The study applied a multicriteria decision analytical framework. A focus group of seven policymakers identified the relevant criteria for priority setting and 63 policymakers participated in a discrete choice experiment to weigh their relative importance.

Progress in the control of measles in Ghana, 1980-2000.

By review of available literature, routine surveillance data, coverage surveys, and hospital records, measles control in Ghana was assessed since vaccinations began in 1978. Nationally, measles vaccination coverage increased from 24% in 1980 to 84% in 2000. This achievement is attributed to health sector reforms that included a higher district share of the total recurrent health budget from 20% in 1996 to 42% in 1999.