COVID-19 impacts on healthcare access in sub-Saharan Africa: an overview

Abstract This overview aimed to describe the situation of healthcare access in sub-Saharan Africa, excluding South Africa, during the COVID-19 pandemic. A PubMed® search from March 31, 2020, to August 15, 2022, selected 116 articles. Healthcare access and consequences of COVID-19 were assessed based on comparisons with months before its onset or an identical season in previous years. A general reduction of healthcare delivery, associated with the decline of care quality, and closure of many specialty services were reported. The impact was heterogeneous in space and time, with an increase in urban areas at the beginning of the pandemic (March-June 2020). The return to normalcy was gradual from the 3rd quarter of 2020 until the end of 2021. The impact of COVID-19 on the health system and its use was attributed to (a) conjunctural factors resulting from government actions to mitigate the spread of the epidemic (containment, transportation restrictions, closures of businesses, and places of entertainment or worship); (b) structural factors related to the disruption of public and private facilities and institutions, in particular, the health system; and (c) individual factors linked to the increase in costs, impoverishment of the population, and fear of contamination or stigmatization, which discouraged patients from going to health centers. They have caused considerable socio-economic damage. Several studies emphasized some adaptability of the healthcare offer and resilience of the healthcare system, despite its unpreparedness, which explained a return to normal activities as early as 2022 while the COVID-19 epidemic persisted. There appears to be a strong disproportion between the moderate incidence and severity of COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa, and the dramatic impact on healthcare access. Several articles make recommendations for lowering the socioeconomic consequences of future epidemics to ensure better management of health issues.

The aetiology and prevalence of urinary tract infections in Sub-Saharan Africa: a Systematic Review / Etiologia e prevalência de infecções do trato urinário na África Subsaariana: uma revisão sistemática

Objective: This review determined and reports the prevalence of urinary tract infections and aetiological agents common in most sub-Saharan African countries. Methods: A literature search involved Springer, Hindawi, PubMed, Medcrave, Google Scholar, BioMed, and Elsevier databases to identify the urinary tract infection articles published between 2000 and 2021. Results: Of 111 articles obtained from databases, 22 met the qualities to be included in the study. Overall, the prevalence of UTI was 32.12% with Escherichia coli being the most commonly isolated bacteria accounting for 86.4%. Escherichia coli is found in the GIT thus, the proximity between the anus and urinary system makes the contamination easier. Conclusion: The findings of this study provide useful information for the effective intervention of urinary tract infections. Further, it is advised women wipe from front to back whenever they attend the call of nature and or during bathing.

Objetivo: Relatamos a prevalência de infecções do trato urinário e agentes etiológicos comuns na maioria dos países da África Subsaariana. Metodos: Uma pesquisa bibliográfica envolveu as bases de dados Springer, Hindawi, PubMed, Medcrave, Google Scholar, BioMed e Elsevier para identificar os artigos que abordavam infecção do trato urinário nos países da África Subsaariana, publicados entre 2000 e 2021. Resultados: Dos 111 artigos obtidos nas bases de dados, 22 atenderam aos criterios de inclusao e foram incluídos no estudo . No geral, a prevalência de UTI foi de 32,12%, sendo a Escherichia coli a bactéria mais comumente isolada, representando 86,4%. A Escherichia coli é encontrada no TGI, portanto, a proximidade entre o ânus e o sistema urinário facilita a contaminação. Conclusao: Os achados deste estudo fornecem informações úteis para a intervenção efetiva das infecções do trato urinário. Além disso, é aconselhável que as mulheres busquem fazer sua higiene intima sempre da parte da frente para trás.

Catastrophic health expenditure in sub-Saharan Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective To estimate the incidence of, and trends in, catastrophic health expenditure in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods :We systematically reviewed the scientific and grey literature to identify population-based studies on catastrophic health expenditure in sub-Saharan Africa published between 2000 and 2021. We performed a meta-analysis using two definitions of catastrophic health expenditure: 10% of total household expenditure and 40% of household non-food expenditure. The results of individual studies were pooled by pairwise meta-analysis using the random-effects model. Findings : We identified 111 publications covering a total of 1 040 620 households across 31 sub-Saharan African countries. Overall, the pooled annual incidence of catastrophic health expenditure was 16.5% (95% confidence interval, CI: 12.9­20.4; 50 datapoints; 462 151 households; I2 = 99.9%) for a threshold of 10% of total household expenditure and 8.7% (95% CI: 7.2­10.3; 84 datapoints; 795 355 households; I2 = 99.8%) for a threshold of 40% of household non-food expenditure. Countries in central and southern sub-Saharan Africa had the highest and lowest incidence, respectively. A trend analysis found that, after initially declining in the 2000s, the incidence of catastrophic health expenditure in sub-Saharan Africa increased between 2010 and 2020. The incidence among people affected by specific diseases, such as noncommunicable diseases, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, was generally higher. Conclusion :Although data on catastrophic health expenditure for some countries were sparse, the data available suggest that a non-negligible share of households in sub-Saharan Africa experienced catastrophic expenditure when accessing health-care services. Stronger financial protection measures are needed.

Condom use and risk factors of inconsistent or low use of the condoms during heterosexual anal intercourse in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review

Anal intercourse (AI) has been reported to be the riskiest among other sexual intercourses in spreading human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the risk could be minimized by the use of condoms. Whilst AI is believed to be practiced mainly by men who have sex with men, AI has also been reported to occur in heterosexual relationships. However, data on condom use during heterosexual AI are inadequate in sub-Saharan Africa. Method: A scoping review of English language published articles on condom use during heterosexual anal sex, whose studies were conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa from January 2010 to May 2020 was conducted. Articles were searched systematically on PubMed and Google Scholar electronic databases. Heterosexual AI was defined as penile penetrative anal sex between a man and a woman regardless of the sexual orientation of the 2 parties involved in the act of heterosexual AI. Findings: A total of 21 studies were eligible for analysis. Most of the studies (17 out of 21) reported females to be involved in heterosexual AI whilst 9 out of 21 studies reported males to be involved in heterosexual AI. The lifetime prevalence estimates of condom use during heterosexual AI ranged from 29%-97.5%. Other prevalence estimates of condom use during heterosexual anal intercourse were reported over various recall periods which were: 12 months' recall period with prevalence estimates ranging from 2.9%-59%; prevalence estimates for the past 3 months which ranged from 50%-94.4%; 1 month's recall period with prevalence estimates ranging from 5%-96% and prevalence estimates for the last intercourse experienced ranging from 1%-55%. Condom use during heterosexual AI was generally low and/or inconsistent among female sex workers (FSWs), men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) and some women in the general population. There were no risk factors identified in the study for the inconsistent or low use of condoms during heterosexual AI. Conclusion: Evidence from this study suggests condom use during heterosexual AI could be fairly low especially among groups such as FSWs, MSMW and some women in the general population. Risk factors for using condoms inconsistently or using condoms less during heterosexual AI are not clear. Heterosexual anal intercourse and condom use during the AI practice is generally an under-studied subject in Sub-Saharan Africa. Future studies need to explore on heterosexual AI and condom use practices during AI comprehensively so that there can be concrete evidence on the subject which will inform targeted interventions aimed at reducing HIV among heterosexual populations in SSA

Metabolic syndrome and its components among HIV/AIDS patients on Antiretroviral Therapy and ART-Naïve Patients at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria

Background: Although an increasing access to ART in sub-Saharan Africa has made it possible for HIV/AIDS patients to live longer, clinicians managing such patients are faced with the challenge of drug-related metabolic complications. Methods: A cross -sectional study was carried out at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, on three groups of participants; namely HIV patients on ART, ART-naïve patients and HIV negative subjects (n =75). Demographic and anthropometric data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire while biochemical parameters were measured using colorimetric methods. Results: The highest prevalence of MS was associated with the HIV/AIDS patients on ART (i.e. 32.0 %, and 50.3% for NCEP-ATP III and IDF criteria respectively). Patients on ART had significant increases (p< 0.05) in waist to hip ratio, FPG, serum TG and LDL-c; and a significantly higher (p< 0.05) prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, low HDL-c and hypertriglyceridemia compared to the ART-naïve patients. Low serum HDL-c was the most prevalent form of dyslipidemia in all three groups and the most prevalent component of MS in HIV patients. Conclusion: ART increases the risk of MS and CVD. HIV/AIDS patients on ART should be advised on lifestyle modifications and undertake regular assessment of their cardiovascular risk factors

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Neisseria gonorrhea and Chlamydia trachomatis isolated from individuals attending STD clinics in Kampala, Uganda

Background: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) management in sub-Saharan Africa is syndromic but molecular diagnostics provide quicker, sensitive diagnosis and treatment. Effective STD control hinges on identification and treatment of infected persons and sexual partner contact tracing. Objectives: This study assessed feasibility of using the Xpert CT/NG test to identify prevalent Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhea (NG) infections among STD clinic attendees and their sexual partners and tested for antimicrobial resistance for N. gonorrhea. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at 4 outpatient STD clinics in Kampala, Uganda from February 2019 to October 2019. Participants received a syndromic diagnosis, were tested for NG and CT, as well as their sexual partners. Urine (men) and high vaginal swabs (women) were collected, examined using Xpert CT/NG assay. A total of 79 participants were enrolled at baseline of whom 25 had CT/NG. 21 partners of infected baseline participants and 7 partners of the 21 primary partners were enrolled. Results: The mean age of the reported sexual partners was 26 (18-43) years. The prevalence of NG was 25% at baseline and 18 % for CT. Nine (11.4%) people were dually infected. Men were more likely to have NG (p<0.001) at multivariable level. Two participants tested HIV-1 positive. On microbiological culture, 8 samples (2.5%) grew NG, and all were resistant to penicillin, ciprofloxacin. For CT, we found a preponderance of the F-serovar in this population. Conclusion: The most prevalent organism was Neisseria gonorrhea. Generally, the prevalence of CT and NG was high. Infection proportions increased among primary partners, particularly women. Etiologic testing without partner tracing and treatment may underestimate burden of CT/NG in this population and contribute to re-infection

Indirect serum biomarkers perform sub optimally in screening for significant liver fibrosis among HIV-infected and uninfected adults in Uganda

ntroduction: Indirect serum biomarkers present an acceptable noninvasive and cheap alternative for screening of significant liver fibrosis (SLF). Evaluation of their use in resource limited settings is important to determine their utility. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study among 520 HIV infected and HIV uninfected adults attending care clinics in Kampala Uganda. Presence of SLF was determined using Fibroscan® liver stiffness measurement of ≥7.2KPa. The diagnostic value of indirect serum biomarkers for diagnosis of SLF was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) using Fibroscan® as gold standard. Results: Overall AUROC values for Age Platelet Index (API), Aspartate to Alanine Ratio (AAR), AST-to-Platelet Ratio Index (APRI), Fibrosis Index based on 4 Factors (FIB-4) and Gamma glutamyl transferase to Platelet Ratio Index (GPR) were 0.52, 0.49, 0.55, 0.55 and 0.54 respectively. Among HIV-infected participants AUROC values were slightly improved at predicting presence of SLF but still under 70%. Conclusion: Despite APRI and FIB-4 being more likely to identify participants with SLF, the overall diagnostic value of all serum biomarkers was poor with and without stratification by HIV status. We recommend the use of Fibroscan® technology as more accurate non-invasive diagnostic method for screening of SLF

Knowledge, risk-perception, and uptake of COVID-19 prevention measures in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has almost affected the entire globe and is currently in a resurgent phase within the sub-Saharan African region. Objective: This paper presents results from a scoping review of literature on knowledge, risk-perception, conspiracy theories and uptake of COVID-19 prevention measures in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: We used the following search terms: 'COVID-19', 'knowledge', 'perceptions', 'perspectives', 'misconceptions', 'conspiracy theories', 'practices' and 'sub-Saharan Africa'. Basing on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, we identified 466 articles for review; 36 articles met the inclusion criteria. We extracted data on knowledge, risk perception, conspiracy theories and uptake of COVID-19 primary prevention measures. Results: Knowledge of COVID-19 was high (91.3-100%) and associated with age and education; risk-perception was equally high (73.3-86.9%) but varied across studies. Uptake of handwashing with water and soap or hand-sanitizing ranged between 63-96.4%, but wearing of face masks and social distancing fared poorly (face masks: 2.7%-37%; social distancing: 19-43%). Conclusion: While knowledge of COVID-19 is nearly universal, uptake of COVID-19 prevention measures remains sub-optimal to defeat the pandemic. These findings suggest a need for continued health promotion to increase uptake of the recommended COVID-19 prevention measures in sub-Saharan Africa

Mapping urban physical distancing constraints, sub-Saharan Africa: a case study from Kenya

With the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, public health measures such as physical distancing were recommended to reduce transmission of the virus causing the disease. However, the same approach in all areas, regardless of context, may lead to measures being of limited effectiveness and having unforeseen negative consequences, such as loss of livelihoods and food insecurity. A prerequisite to planning and implementing effective, context-appropriate measures to slow community transmission is an understanding of any constraints, such as the locations where physical distancing would not be possible. Focusing on sub-Saharan Africa, we outline and discuss challenges that are faced by residents of urban informal settlements in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We describe how new geospatial data sets can be integrated to provide more detailed information about local constraints on physical distancing and can inform planning of alternative ways to reduce transmission of COVID-19 between people. We include a case study for Nairobi County, Kenya, with mapped outputs which illustrate the intra-urban variation in the feasibility of physical distancing and the expected difficulty for residents of many informal settlement areas. Our examples demonstrate the potential of new geospatial data sets to provide insights and support to policy-making for public health measures, including COVID-19

Population normative data for three cognitive screening tools for older adults in sub-Saharan Africa / Dados normativos populacionais para três instrumentos de triagem cognitiva para idosos na áfrica subsaariana

ABSTRACT In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA),cognitive screening is complicated by both cultural and educational factors, and the existing normative values may not be applicable. The Identification of Dementia in Elderly Africans (IDEA) cognitive screen is a low-literacy measure with good diagnostic accuracy for dementia. Objective: The aim of this study is to report normative values for IDEA and other simple measures [i.e., categorical verbal fluency, the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) 10-word list] in representative community-dwelling older adults in SSA. Methods: Individuals aged ≥60 years resident in 12 representative villages in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania and individuals aged ≥65 years resident within three communities in Akinyele Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria underwent cognitive screening. The normative data were generated by the categories of age, sex, and education. Results: A total of 3,011 people in Tanzania (i.e., 57.3% females and 26.4% uneducated) and 1,117 in Nigeria (i.e., 60.3% females and 64.5% uneducated) were screened. Individuals with higher age, lower education, and female gender obtained lower scores. The 50th decile values for IDEA were 13 (60-64 years) vs. 8/9 (above 85 years), 10-11 uneducated vs. 13 primary educated, and 11/12 in females vs. 13 in males. The normative values for 10-word list delayed recall and categorical verbal fluency varied with education [i.e., delayed recall mean 2.8 [standard deviation (SD) 1.7] uneducated vs. 4.2 (SD 1.2) secondary educated; verbal fluency mean 9.2 (SD 4.8) uneducated vs. 12.2 (SD 4.3) secondary educated], substantially lower than published high-income country values. Conclusions: The cut-off values for commonly used cognitive screening items should be adjusted to suit local normative values, particularly where there are lower levels of education.

RESUMO Na África Subsaariana (ASS), a triagem cognitiva é complicada por fatores culturais e educacionais, além dos valores normativos existentes poderem não ser aplicáveis. O rastreio cognitivo Identification of Dementia in Elderly Africans (IDEA) é uma medida para níveis baixos de alfabetização com boa acurácia diagnóstica para demência. Objetivo: Relatar os valores normativos para a IDEA e outras medidas simples (fluência verbal categórica, a lista de 10 palavras do Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) em idosos residentes na comunidade, representativos da ASS. Métodos: Indivíduos com idade ≥60 residentes em 12 comunidades representativas em Kilimanjaro, Tanzânia e indivíduos com idade ≥65 anos residentes em três comunidades na área governamental de Akinyele, Estado de Oyo, Nigéria, foram submetidos à triagem cognitiva. Os dados normativos foram gerados por faixas etárias, sexo e escolaridade. Resultados: Um total de 3.011 pessoas na Tanzânia (57,3% mulheres, 26,4% sem educação) e 1.117 na Nigéria (60,3% mulheres, 64,5% sem educação) foram examinadas. Os indivíduos com idade mais alta, menor escolaridade e mulheres obtiveram escores mais baixos. Os valores do percentil 50 para a IDEA foram 13 (60-64 anos) vs. 8/9 (85+ anos), 10-11 para analfabetos vs. 13 com educação primária e 11/12 em mulheres vs. 13 em homens. Os valores normativos para a evocação tardia da lista de 10 palavras e a fluência verbal categórica variaram com a educação (evocação tardia 2,8 (SD 1,7) para os sem educação, vs. 4,2 (SD 1,2) para com educação secundária; fluência verbal 9,2 (DP 4,8) para os sem educação vs. 12,2 (SD 4.3) para os com ensino médio, substancialmente inferior aos valores publicados em países de alta renda. Conclusões: Os valores de corte para testes de triagem cognitiva comumente usados devem ser ajustados para se adequar aos valores normativos locais, particularmente em níveis baixos de educação.

Profil clinique et biologique du Lupus érythémateux systémique dans un hôpital de District au Cameroun / Clinical and biological profile of systemic lupus erythematosus in a district hospital in Cameroon

Contexte et objectif. En Afrique, la prévalence du lupus érythémateux systémique (LES) est certainement sousestimée et les études sont restreintes. L'objectif était de décrire le profil clinique et biologique des patients lupiques. Méthodes. Étude documentaire sur LES suivi à l'hôpital de district d'Efolian (au Cameroun), entre janvier 2017 et novembre 2019. Le diagnostic de LES était basé sur les critères SLICC, le score SLEDAI était utilisé pour évaluer l'activité de la maladie. Résultats. Dix-neuf patients ont été colligés dont 17 femmes. L'âge moyen des patients était de 35±15 ans. Le délai diagnostique moyen était de 6,5 ± 1,5 ans. On notait une prédominance des atteintes articulaires et cutanéo-muqueuses. Il y avait une protéinurie chez 16 patients. Le score d'activité de la maladie mesurée par le SLEDAI était très élevé chez 15 patients. Conclusion. Le LES est souvent diagnostiqué tardivement à l'hôpital d'Efoulan. L'atteinte rénale est fréquente et la réalisation des biopsies rénales n'est pas courante. Une étude de cohorte plus élaborée multicentrique est nécessaire pour mieux cerner les facteurs de risque et de pronostique

Context and objective. In Africa, the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is certainly under-estimated and studies are limited. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and biological profile in lupus patients. Methods. A retrospective study was conducted on medical records of SLE patients attending Efoulan Hospital in Cameroon from January 2017 to November 2019. The diagnosis of SLE was based on the SLICC criteria and the SLEDAI score was used to assess disease activity. Results. Records from 19 patients were collected including 17 women. Their average age was 35 ± 15 years. The mean diagnostic delay was 6.5 ± 1.5 years. There was a predominance of joint damage and mucous membranes. Proteinuria was encountered in 16 patients. The SLEDAI was very high in 15 patients. Conclusion: SLE is often diagnosed late at Efoulan Hospital. Renal complications are frequent but kidney biopsies are not common. A larger cohort is needed

Prevalence and determinants of cervical cancer awareness among women of reproductive age: evidence from Benin and Zimbabwe population-based data

Background: Cervical cancer is a prominently diagnosed form of cancer in several resource-constrained settings particularly within the sub-Saharan African region. Globally, Africa region has the highest incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer. The high prevalence has been attributed to several factors including lack of awareness of the disease. The aim of this paper is to explore the prevalence and factors associated with awareness of cervical cancer among women of reproductive age in Republic of Benin and Zimbabwe, sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: We used population-based cross-sectional data from Benin Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) and Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) respectively. BDHS 2017­18 and ZDHS - 2015 are the 5th and 6th rounds of the surveys respectively. About 15,928 and 9955 women aged 15­49 years were included in this study respectively. The awareness of cervical cancer among women of reproductive age in Benin and Zimbabwe was measured dichotomously; yes (if a woman heard of cervical cancer) vs. no (if a woman has not heard of cervical cancer). All significant variables from the bivariate analysis were included in the multivariable logistic regression model to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval. Results: While majority (79.2%) of women from Zimbabwe have heard about cervical cancer, only about one-tenth (10.2%) of their Beninese counterparts have heard about the disease. Advanced maternal age, having formal education, use of internet, having professional/technical/managerial occupation significantly increased the odds of awareness of cervical cancer after adjusting for other confounders. However, in Benin, women who resided in the rural area and those of Islamic belief had 20% (AOR = 0.80; 95%CI: 0.64, 0.99) and 35% (AOR = 0.65; 95%CI: 0.50, 0.86) reduction in the odds of awareness of cervical cancer respectively, when compared with women from urban residence and Christianity. Results from the predictive marginal effects showed that, assuming the distribution of all factors remained the same among women, but every woman is an urban dweller, we would expect 11.0 and 81.0% level of awareness of cervical cancer; If everywoman had higher education, we would expect 20.0 and 90% level of awareness of cervical cancer and if instead the distribution of other maternal factors were as observed and other covariates remained the same among women, but all women were in the richest household wealth quintile, we would expect about 11.0 and 83.0% level of awareness of cervical cancer, among women of reproductive age from Benin and Zimbabwe respectively. Conclusion: The study has revealed that socio-demographical factors including geographical location and selected economic factors explained the inequality in distribution of women's awareness on cervical cancer in both countries. Designing an effective population-based health education and promotion intervention programs on cervical cancer will be a great way forward to improving women's awareness level on cervical cancer.

Regional cooperation and health diplomacy in Africa: from intra-colonial exchanges to multilateral health institutions / Cooperação regional e diplomacia sanitária na África: dos intercâmbios intracoloniais às instituições multilaterais de saúde

Abstract Tracing the pathways of cooperation in health in sub-Saharan Africa from hesitant exchanges to institutionalized dimensions from the 1920s to the early 1960s, this article addresses regional dynamics in health diplomacy which have so far been under-researched. The evolution thereof from early beginnings with the League of Nations Health Organization to the Commission for Technical Assistance South of the Sahara and the World Health Organization's Regional Office for Africa, shows how bilateral dimensions were superseded by WHO's multilateral model of regional cooperation in health. Alignments, divergences, and outcomes are explored with respect to the strategies and policies pursued by colonial powers and independent African states regarding inter-regional relations, and their implications for public health and epidemiological interventions.

Resumo Trilhando os caminhos da cooperação sanitária na África subsaariana, de intercâmbios incertos a dimensões institucionalizadas dos anos 1920 até início dos anos 1960, este artigo aborda a dinâmica regional na diplomacia sanitária que, até o momento, carece de pesquisas. A evolução, desde os primórdios da Organização da Saúde da Liga das Nações até a Cooperação Técnica na África Subsaariana e o Escritório Regional da África da OMS, demonstra como dimensões bilaterais foram substituídas pelo modelo multilateral da OMS de cooperação sanitária regional. São analisados alinhamentos, divergências e resultados de estratégias e políticas empregados por potências coloniais e Estados africanos independentes em relações inter-regionais, bem como suas implicações em intervenções epidemiológicas e de saúde pública.

Gestion sécurisée des dépouilles de personnes décédées de la COVID-19 en Afrique sub-Saharienne: et si on laissait les familles enterrer leurs morts?

La pandémie à Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) touche les pays d´Afrique sub-Saharienne depuis le mois de mars 2020. Au-delà des désastres sanitaire et économique causés, se pose un problème psycho-socio-culturel en rapport avec la gestion des corps de personnes décédées de cette maladie; ce problème est susceptible d´entraver la bonne marche de la stratégie de riposte. Au Cameroun par exemple, la gestion actuelle de ces dépouilles ne fait pas l´unanimité. En effet, les restrictions appliquées à l´inhumation, bien que récemment assouplies proscrivent entre autres tout transfert interurbain des dépouilles. A la lumière des considérations culturelles africaines de la personne décédée, des dissensions créées entre les familles et le corps médical, de la législation et des données scientifiques disponibles, cet article analyse les risques et les bénéfices de l´inhumation des dépouilles par les familles. Il propose ensuite des solutions qui concilient la dignité (en laissant les familles enterrer leurs morts dans les domiciles), et la sécurité (en assurant une conservation hermétique et la surveillance d´un officier de police judiciaire). L´application de ces solutions pourraient améliorer la confiance de la population envers le système de santé et contribuer positivement aux stratégies de prévention, d´identification et de prise en charge des cas de COVID-19

Pneumonie à l'infection à Coronavirus (COVID-19) : défis, opportunités et quelles solutions à envisager en Afrique subsaharienne ?

En décembre 2019, la ville de Wuhan en Chine a déclaré des cas de pneumonie virale à SARS-CoV-2, dénommée plus tard par l'Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS), COVID19. En quelques mois cette nouvelle entité est devenue une pandémie. Elle concerne à ce jour, 185 pays, atteignant plus de trois millions de personnes et a occasionné plus de 225 000 décès. Cette pandémie a perturbé et déséquilibré tous les systèmes de santé des pays concernés. Ces différents pays ont mis en œuvre des moyens conséquents pour y faire face.Les pays de l'Afrique sub-saharienne (ASS) en général et la République Démocratique du Congo (RDC) en particulier, doivent saisir cette opportunité pour s'organiser, former le personnel soignant, équiper les hôpitaux et améliorer l'accès aux soins des populations susceptibles de contracter cette maladie. La COVID-19 pouvant entraîner des complications graves chez certains patients, les unités des soins intensifs devraient être équipées pour apporter de l'oxygénothérapie de façon optimale, de l'assistance respiratoire par des moyens non invasifs ou invasifs et la suppléance d'autres organes afin d'améliorer le pronostic de ces patients graves. Voilà autant des défis à relever pour sécuriser la prise en charge des patients en ASS et en RDC

Impact économique de la pandémie à COVID-19 dans les pays à ressources limitées : le cas des pays de l'Afrique subsaharienne

La propagation de la COVID-19 dans les pays à ressources faibles de l'Afrique subsaharienne ainsi que les mesures prises pour y faire face influent considérablement sur leurs économies. On observe un ralentissement d'activités dans tous les secteurs économiques occasionnant des pertes de rentabilité au niveau d'entreprises, de revenus pour les ménages, de recettes fiscales au niveau des Etats et d'emploi pour les travailleurs. Il en résulte une baisse drastique de la production et un risque de récession pour l'ensemble de la région. Il faut donc des mesures de ripostes multisectorielles et une politique macroéconomique permettant de renouer avec la croissance de la production