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Kirengo TO, Dossajee H, Onyango EM, Rachakonda RH, Schneider B, Sela DP, Hosseinzadeh Z, Nadeem Z, Obonyo NG. Catalysing global surgery: a meta-research study on factors affecting surgical research collaborations with Africa. Syst Rev 2024; 13:89. [PMID: 38500200 PMCID: PMC10946148 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-024-02474-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need for rapid collaboration, research, and interventions. International research collaborations foster more significant responses to rapid global changes by enabling international, multicentre research, decreasing biases, and increasing study validity while reducing overall research time and costs. However, there has been low uptake of collaborative research by African institutions and individuals. AIM To systematically review facilitating factors and challenges to collaborative surgical research studies conducted in Africa. METHODOLOGY A meta-research review using PubMed®/MEDLINE and Embase on surgical collaboration in Africa from 1st of January 2011 to 31st of September 2021 in accordance to PRISMA guidelines. Surgical studies by collaborative groups involving African authors and sites were included (55 papers). Data on the study period, geographical regions, and research scope, facilitating factors, and challenges were extracted from the studies retrieved from the search. RESULTS Most of the collaborations in Africa occurred with European institutions (76%). Of the 54 African countries, 63% (34/54) participated in surgical collaborations. The highest collaboration frequency occurred in South Africa (11%) and Nigeria (8%). However, most publications originated from Eastern Africa (43%). Leveraging synergies between high- and low- to middle-income countries (LMICs), well-defined structures, and secure data platforms facilitated collaboration. However, the underrepresentation of collaborators from LMICs was a significant challenge. CONCLUSION Available literature provides critical insights into the facilitating factors and challenges of research collaboration with Africa. However, there is a need for a detailed prospective study to explore the themes highlighted further. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO 2022 CRD42022352115 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas O Kirengo
- Imara Hospital, Embu, Kenya.
- Kenya Medical Association, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Hussein Dossajee
- MP Shah Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
- Kenya Medical Association, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Evans M Onyango
- Ministry of Health, Kajiado County, Kenya
- Kenya Medical Association, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Reema H Rachakonda
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Critical Care Research Group, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Bailey Schneider
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Critical Care Research Group, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Declan P Sela
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Critical Care Research Group, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Zahra Hosseinzadeh
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Critical Care Research Group, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Zohaib Nadeem
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Critical Care Research Group, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Nchafatso G Obonyo
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Critical Care Research Group, Brisbane, Australia
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
- Kenya Medical Association, Nairobi, Kenya
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Desalu I, Sarpong P, Osazuwa MO, Ndikontar Kwinji R, Faponle AF, Suleiman MK, Metogo Mbengono Epse Njoki J, Ilori I, Eyelade OR, Ohene AA, Anno A, Addison W. Global pediatric anesthesia-Anglophone West Africa perspective. Paediatr Anaesth 2024. [PMID: 38321802 DOI: 10.1111/pan.14852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This article gives the pediatric anesthesia perspective from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Gambia, five out of six countries in Anglophone West Africa. Over 40% of the population of most of these countries are younger than 14 years and there is an increasing need for paediatric anesthesia services. FINDINGS Workforce density ranges from 0.08 to 0.58 physician anesthesia providers per 100,000 population. There are only 13 trained pediatric anesthetists; ratios range from 0 to 0.4 per 100,000 children, thus pediatric anesthesia services are provided by various cadres of physician and non-physician anesthesia providers. Physician anesthesia training is mostly carried out by the West African College of Surgeons as well as national postgraduate colleges. Pediatric anesthesia services are provided in tertiary (teaching), secondary (general), district, faith-based, military, private hospitals and through surgical missions. Challenges include lack of trained personnel, high morbidity from late presentation to health facilities and financial constraints, lack of health insurance for pediatric anesthesia services, unavailability of appropriate equipment and consumables, a narrow range of medications, very few pediatric-specific operating theaters, and inadequate critical care services. SOLUTIONS The lack of opportunities for sub-specialty training in pediatric anesthesia in West Africa is currently being addressed in Nigeria and Ghana. Non-governmental agencies fund programs and courses related to pediatric anesthesia and have also provided fully equipped operating theaters. Advocacy for pediatric anesthesia can be achieved through the National Surgical Obstetric Anesthesia and Nursing Plans Implementation Committee of the various countries. There is an urgent need for prioritization of health in the budgets of Anglophone West African countries and governments must deliberately provide support for anesthesia and surgical services. More international collaborations towards workforce training and creation of children's hospitals are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibironke Desalu
- University of Lagos/Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Raymond Ndikontar Kwinji
- Yaounde Gyneco Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Aramide Folayemi Faponle
- Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, Banjul, Gambia
- University of The Gambia, Serrekunda, Gambia
| | - Musa Kallamu Suleiman
- Department Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Management Department, John F Kennedy Medical Center, Monrovia, Liberia
- Dagliotti School of Medicine, University of Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Junette Metogo Mbengono Epse Njoki
- Department for Intensive Care, Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Iniabasi Ilori
- University of Calabar/University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria
| | | | | | | | - William Addison
- Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, Banjul, Gambia
- University of The Gambia, Serrekunda, Gambia
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Molla MT, Anley NS, Zewdie BW, Endeshaw AS, Kumie FT. 28-day perioperative pediatric mortality and its predictors in a tertiary teaching hospital in Ethiopia: a prospective cohort study. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:24. [PMID: 38183106 PMCID: PMC10768305 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01613-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perioperative pediatric mortality is significantly higher in low-resource countries due to a scarcity of well-trained professionals and a lack of well-equipped pediatric perioperative services. There has been little research on pediatric mortality in low-income countries. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the incidence of perioperative pediatric mortality and its predictors in 28-day follow-up. METHODS The data were collected using REDCap, an electronic data collection tool, between June 01, 2019 and July 01, 2021. This study includes pediatric patients aged 0 to 17 years who underwent surgery in Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital over 28 days with a total of 1171 patients. STATA version 17 software was used for data analysis. Log-rank tests were fitted to explore survival differences. After bivariable and multivariable Cox regression analysis, an Adjusted Hazard Ratio (AHR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was reported to declare the strength of association and statistical significance. RESULTS There were 35 deaths in the cohort of 1171 pediatric patients. Twenty of the deaths were in neonates. The overall perioperative mortality among pediatric patients was 2.99%, with an incidence rate of 1.11 deaths per 1000 person day observation (95% CI 0.79, 1.54). The neonatal age group had an AHR = 9.59, 95% CI 3.77, 24.3), transfusion had an AHR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.11, 6.09), and the America Society of Anesthesiology physical status classification III and above had an AHR = 4.39, 95% CI 1.61, 11.9 were found the significant predictors of perioperative pediatric mortality. CONCLUSIONS In this study, the perioperative mortality of pediatric patients was high in the 28-day follow-up. Neonatal age, transfusion, and America Society of Anesthesiology physical status III and above were significant predictors of pediatric mortality. Therefore, perioperative surgical teams should give special attention to neonates, the America Society of Anesthesiology physical status III and above, and transfusion to reduce pediatric mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misganew Terefe Molla
- Department of Anesthesia, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
| | - Nebiyu Shitaye Anley
- Department of Surgery, Pediatric Surgery Unit, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Bekalu Wubshet Zewdie
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Pediatric Orthopedic Unit, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Amanuel Sisay Endeshaw
- Department of Anesthesia, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Fantahun Tarekegn Kumie
- Department of Anesthesia, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Mat Bah MN, Zahari N, Kasim AS, Mohamed Sharif NL. Survival and factors associated with mortality among infants with anorectal malformation: a population-based study from a middle-income country. Eur J Pediatr 2024; 183:271-279. [PMID: 37870607 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-05292-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Limited data on the survival of anorectal malformation (ARM) patients from lower- and middle-income countries is available. This retrospective population-based study from the State of Johor, Malaysia, determines the incidence, mortality rate, and survival of ARM patients and factors associated with mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate the survival of ARM patients at 1, 5, and 10 years. In addition, multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to analyze mortality-related factors. There were 175 ARM patients among 803,850 live births, giving an overall ARM incidence of 2.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9 to 2.5) per 10,000 live births. The male-to-female ratio was 1.5:1. There were 122 (69%) non-isolated ARM, of which 41 were Trisomy-21 and 34 had VACTERL association. Seventy-three (42%) had congenital heart disease (CHD), with 38 severe and 35 non-severe CHD. Overall, 33 (19%) patients died, with a median age of death of 5.7 months (interquartile range (IQR) 25 days to 11.2 months). The overall estimated 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival rate for ARM patients was 82% (95% CI, 76-89%), 77% (95% CI, 70-84%), and 77% (95% CI, 70-84%), respectively. Univariate analysis shows that non-isolated ARM, VACTERL association, and severe CHD were associated with mortality. However, only severe CHD is the independent factor associated with mortality, with a hazard ratio of 4.0 (95% CI, 1.9-8.4). Conclusion: CHD is common among ARM patients, and one in five ARM patients had a severe cardiac defect, significantly affecting their survival. What is Known: • VACTERL association and congenital heart disease are common in patient with anorectal malformation. • Low birth weight and prematurity are associated with a lower rate of survival. What is New: • Congenital heart disease is common in ARM patients in a middle-income country. • Severe congenital heart disease plays a significant role in the survival of patients with an anorectal malformation in lower- and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Nizam Mat Bah
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Johor DT, Malaysia
| | - Norazah Zahari
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Aina Salwa Kasim
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Johor DT, Malaysia
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Nourian MM, Alshibli A, Kamau J, Nabulindo S, Amollo DA, Connell J, Eden SK, Seyoum R, Teklehaimanot MG, Tegu GA, Desta HB, Newton M, Sileshi B. Capnography access and use in Kenya and Ethiopia. Can J Anaesth 2024; 71:95-106. [PMID: 37914969 DOI: 10.1007/s12630-023-02607-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Lack of access to safe and affordable anesthesia and monitoring equipment may contribute to higher rates of morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While capnography is standard in high-income countries, use in LMICs is not well studied. We evaluated the association of capnography use with patient and procedure-related characteristics, as well as the association of capnography use and mortality in a cohort of patients from Kenya and Ethiopia. METHODS For this retrospective observational study, we used historical cohort data from Kenya and Ethiopia from 2014 to 2020. Logistic regression was used to study the association of capnography use (primary outcome) with patient/procedure factors, and the adjusted association of intraoperative, 24-hr, and seven-day mortality (secondary outcomes) with capnography use. RESULTS A total of 61,792 anesthetic cases were included in this study. Tertiary or secondary hospital type (compared with primary) was strongly associated with use of capnography (odds ratio [OR], 6.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.67 to 6.93 and OR, 6.88; 95% CI, 6.40 to 7.40, respectively), as was general (vs regional) anesthesia (OR, 4.83; 95% CI, 4.41 to 5.28). Capnography use was significantly associated with lower odds of intraoperative mortality in patients who underwent general anesthesia (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.48). Nevertheless, fully-adjusted models for 24-hr and seven-day mortality showed no evidence of association with capnography. CONCLUSION Capnography use in LMICs is substantially lower compared with other standard anesthesia monitors. Capnography was used at higher rates in tertiary centres and with patients undergoing general anesthesia. While this study revealed decreased odds of intraoperative mortality with capnography use, further studies need to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maziar M Nourian
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1211 Medical Center Drive, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
| | - Amany Alshibli
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John Kamau
- African Mission Healthcare, ImPACT Africa-Tanzania, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Susan Nabulindo
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Dennis A Amollo
- African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Svetlana K Eden
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Rahel Seyoum
- Department of Anesthesiology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | | | - Gebrehiwot A Tegu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Haftom B Desta
- Department of Anesthesiology, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Mark Newton
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Bantayehu Sileshi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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Kakembo N, Grabski DF, Situma M, Ajiko M, Kayima P, Nyeko D, Shikanda A, Okello I, Tumukunde J, Nabukenya M, Ogwang M, Kisa P, Muzira A, Ruzgar N, Fitzgerald TN, Sekabira J, Ozgediz D. Met and Unmet Need for Pediatric Surgical Access in Uganda: A Country-Wide Prospective Analysis. J Surg Res 2023; 286:23-34. [PMID: 36738566 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2022.12.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Children's surgical access in low and low-middle income countries is severely limited. Investigations detailing met and unmet surgical access are necessary to inform appropriate resource allocation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Surgical volume, outcomes, and distribution of pediatric general surgical procedures were analyzed using prospective pediatric surgical databases from four separate regional hospitals in Uganda. The current averted burden of surgical disease through pediatric surgical delivery in Uganda and the unmet surgical need based on estimates from high-income country data was calculated. RESULTS A total of 8514 patients were treated at the four hospitals over a 6-year period corresponding to 1350 pediatric surgical cases per year in Uganda or six surgical cases per 100,000 children per year. The majority of complex congenital anomalies and surgical oncology cases were performed at Mulago and Mbarara Hospitals, which have dedicated pediatric surgical teams (P < 0.0001). The averted burden of pediatric surgical disease was 27,000 disability adjusted life years per year, which resulted in an economic benefit of approximately 23 million USD per year. However, the average case volume performed at the four regional hospitals currently represents 1% of the total projected pediatric surgical need. CONCLUSIONS This investigation is one of the first to demonstrate the distribution of pediatric surgical procedures at a country level through the use of a prospective locally created database. Significant disease burden was averted by local pediatric and adult surgical teams, demonstrating the economic benefit of pediatric surgical care delivery. These findings support several ongoing strategies to increase pediatric surgical access in Uganda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasser Kakembo
- Department of Surgery, Makerere University, Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David F Grabski
- Department of Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia.
| | - Martin Situma
- Department of Surgery, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara Hospital, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Margaret Ajiko
- Department of Surgery, Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, Soroti, Uganda
| | - Peter Kayima
- Department of Surgery, St. Mary's Lacor Regional Referral Hospital, Lacor, Uganda
| | - David Nyeko
- Department of Surgery, St. Mary's Lacor Regional Referral Hospital, Lacor, Uganda
| | - Anne Shikanda
- Department of Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Innocent Okello
- Department of Surgery, Makerere University, Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Janat Tumukunde
- Department of Anesthesiology, Makerere University School of Medicine, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mary Nabukenya
- Department of Anesthesiology, Makerere University School of Medicine, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Martin Ogwang
- Department of Surgery, St. Mary's Lacor Regional Referral Hospital, Lacor, Uganda
| | - Phyllis Kisa
- Department of Surgery, Makerere University, Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Arlene Muzira
- Department of Surgery, Makerere University, Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Nensi Ruzgar
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Tamara N Fitzgerald
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - John Sekabira
- Department of Surgery, Makerere University, Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Doruk Ozgediz
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California
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de Visser MA, Kululanga D, Chikumbanje SS, Thomson E, Kapalamula T, Borgstein ES, Langton J, Kadzamira P, Njirammadzi J, van Woensel JBM, Bentsen G, Weir PM, Calis JCJ. Outcome in Children Admitted to the First PICU in Malawi. Pediatr Crit Care Med 2023; 24:473-483. [PMID: 36856446 PMCID: PMC10226467 DOI: 10.1097/pcc.0000000000003210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Dedicated PICUs are slowly starting to emerge in sub-Saharan Africa. Establishing these units can be challenging as there is little data from this region to inform which populations and approaches should be prioritized. This study describes the characteristics and outcome of patients admitted to the first PICU in Malawi, with the aim to identify factors associated with increased mortality. DESIGN Review of a prospectively constructed PICU database. Univariate analysis was used to assess associations between demographic, clinical and laboratory factors, and mortality. Univariate associations ( p < 0.1) for mortality were entered in two multivariable models. SETTING A recently opened PICU in a public tertiary government hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. PATIENTS Children admitted to PICU between August 1, 2017, and July 31, 2019. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS Of 531 included PICU admissions, 149 children died (28.1%). Mortality was higher in neonates (88/167; 52.7%) than older children (61/364; 16.8%; p ≤ 0.001). On univariate analysis, gastroschisis, trachea-esophageal fistula, and sepsis had higher PICU mortality, while Wilms tumor, other neoplasms, vocal cord papilloma, and foreign body aspiration had higher survival rates compared with other conditions. On multivariable analysis, neonatal age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 4.0; 95% CI, 2.0-8.3), decreased mental state (AOR, 5.8; 95 CI, 2.4-13.8), post-cardiac arrest (AOR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.0-8.0), severe hypotension (AOR, 6.3; 95% CI, 2.0-19.1), lactate greater than 5 mmol/L (AOR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.5-11.2), pH less than 7.2 (AOR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.2-8.0), and platelets less than 150 × 10 9 /L (AOR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.1-5.2) were associated with increased mortality. CONCLUSIONS In the first PICU in Malawi, mortality was relatively high, especially in neonates. Surgical neonates and septic patients were identified as highly vulnerable, which stresses the importance of improvement of PICU care bundles for these groups. Several clinical and laboratory variables were associated with mortality in older children. In neonates, severe hypotension was the only clinical variable associated with increased mortality besides blood gas parameters. This stresses the importance of basic laboratory tests, especially in neonates. These data contribute to evidence-based approaches establishing and improving future PICUs in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjam A de Visser
- Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Emma Children's Hospital of the Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Mercy James Center for Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Diana Kululanga
- Mercy James Center for Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Singatiya S Chikumbanje
- Mercy James Center for Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital & Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Emma Thomson
- Mercy James Center for Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital & Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Tiyamike Kapalamula
- Mercy James Center for Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital & Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Eric S Borgstein
- Mercy James Center for Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital & Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Josephine Langton
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital & Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Precious Kadzamira
- Mercy James Center for Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital & Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Jenala Njirammadzi
- Mercy James Center for Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital & Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Job B M van Woensel
- Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Emma Children's Hospital of the Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gunnar Bentsen
- Mercy James Center for Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
- Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Department of Anesthesiology, Oslo University Hospital-Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Patricia M Weir
- Mercy James Center for Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital & Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Job C J Calis
- Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Emma Children's Hospital of the Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Mercy James Center for Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital & Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
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Gajewski J, Pittalis C, Borgstein E, Bijlmakers L, Mwapasa G, Cheelo M, Juma A, Sardana M, Brugha R. Critical shortage of capacity to deliver safe paediatric surgery in sub-Saharan Africa: evidence from 67 hospitals in Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1189676. [PMID: 37325346 PMCID: PMC10265866 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1189676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Paediatric surgical care is a significant challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where 42% of the population are children. Building paediatric surgical capacity to meet SSA country needs is a priority. This study aimed to assess district hospital paediatric surgical capacity in three countries: Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia (MTZ). Methods Data from 67 district-level hospitals in MTZ were collected using a PediPIPES survey tool. Its five components are procedures, personnel, infrastructure, equipment, and supplies. A PediPIPES Index was calculated for each country, and a two-tailed analysis of variance test was used to explore cross-country comparisons. Results Similar paediatric surgical capacity index scores and shortages were observed across countries, greater in Malawi and less in Tanzania. Almost all hospitals reported the capacity to perform common minor surgical procedures and less complex resuscitation interventions. Capacity to undertake common abdominal, orthopaedic and urogenital procedures varied-more often reported in Malawi and less often in Tanzania. There were no paediatric or general surgeons or anaesthesiologists at district hospitals. General medical officers with some training to do surgery on children were present (more often in Zambia). Paediatric surgical equipment and supplies were poor in all three countries. Malawi district hospitals had the poorest supply of electricity and water. Conclusions With no specialists in district hospitals in MTZ, access to safe paediatric surgery is compromised, aggravated by shortages of infrastructure, equipment and supplies. Significant investments are required to address these shortfalls. SSA countries need to define what procedures are appropriate to national, referral and district hospital levels and ensure that an appropriate paediatric surgical workforce is in place at district hospitals, trained and supervised to undertake these essential surgical procedures so as to meet population needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Gajewski
- Institute of Global Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- Centre for Global Surgery, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Chiara Pittalis
- Institute of Global Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eric Borgstein
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Leon Bijlmakers
- Department of Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gerald Mwapasa
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Mweene Cheelo
- Surgical Society of Zambia, University Teaching Hospital Lusaka, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Adinan Juma
- East Central and Southern Africa Health Community, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Muskan Sardana
- Institute of Global Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ruairi Brugha
- Institute of Global Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
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9
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Pediatric Surgical Waitlist in Low Middle Income Countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Surg Res 2023; 288:193-201. [PMID: 37018896 PMCID: PMC9970937 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2023.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Purpose COVID-19 led to significant reduction in surgery worldwide. Studies, however, of the effect on surgical volume for pediatric patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are limited. Methods A survey was developed to estimate waitlists in LMICs for priority surgical conditions in children. The survey was piloted and revised before it was deployed over email to 19 surgeons. Pediatric surgeons at 15 different sites in 8 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and Ecuador completed the survey from February 2021 to June 2021. The survey included the total number of children awaiting surgery and estimates for specific conditions. Respondents were also able to add additional procedures. Results Public hospitals had longer wait times than private facilities. The median waitlist was 90 patients and the median wait time was 2 months for elective surgeries. Conclusion Lengthy surgical wait times affect surgical access in LMICs. COVID-19 had been associated with surgical delays around the world, exacerbating existing surgical backlogs. Our results revealed significant delays for elective, urgent and emergent cases across Sub-Saharan Africa. Stakeholders should consider approaches to scale the limited surgical and perioperative resources in LMICs, create mitigation strategies for future pandemics, and establish ways to monitor waitlists on an ongoing basis.
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10
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Kwasau H, Kamanda J, Lebbie A, Cotache-Condor C, Espinoza P, Grimm A, Wright N, Smith E. Prevalence and outcomes of pediatric surgical conditions at Connaught Hospital in Freetown: a retrospective study. WORLD JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC SURGERY 2023; 6:e000473. [PMID: 38328392 PMCID: PMC10848619 DOI: 10.1136/wjps-2022-000473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sub-Saharan Africa experiences a disproportionate amount of pediatric surgical disease, with 80% of children lacking access to timely, affordable, and safe surgical care. This study aims to characterize the burden of disease and outcomes of pediatric surgical conditions at Connaught Hospital, the main pediatric referral hospital in Sierra Leone. Methods This retrospective and hospital-based study included children up to 15 years old who were operated on between 2015 and June 2016 at Connaught Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to characterize the distribution of disease and compare all variables against age category and mortality. Findings A total of 215 patients were included in this study of which 72.5% (n=132) were male and 27.5% (n=50) were female. Most of the patients were diagnosed with congenital anomalies (60.9%; n=131). However, infection was the leading diagnosis (60.5%; n=23) among patients aged 5-10 years (n=38). Inguinal hernia was the leading condition (65.0%; n=85) among patients presenting with a congenital anomaly. The condition with the highest mortality was infections (17.0%; n=8), followed by other conditions (9.1%; n=2) and congenital anomalies (3.1%; n=4). Based on the results of this study, over 7000 children with inguinal hernias remain untreated annually in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Conclusion This study quantifies the burden of surgical disease among children, a foundational step toward the prioritization of pediatric surgical care in national health agendas, the development of evidence-based interventions, and the strategic allocation of resources in Sierra Leone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henang Kwasau
- Department of Community Health, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Juliana Kamanda
- Department of Community Health, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Aiah Lebbie
- Department of Community Health, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Cesia Cotache-Condor
- Department of Surgery, Duke School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Duke Center for Global Surgery and Health Equity, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Pamela Espinoza
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Andie Grimm
- Department of Public Health, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Naomi Wright
- King’s Centre for Global Health and Health Partnerships, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Emily Smith
- Department of Surgery, Duke School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Duke Center for Global Surgery and Health Equity, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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11
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Vigliotti VS, Concepcion T, Mohamed M, Dahir S, Ismail EA, Poenaru D, Rice HE, Smith ER. Modeling the Scale-up of Surgical Services for Children with Surgically Treatable Congenital Conditions in Somaliland. World J Surg 2022; 46:2489-2497. [PMID: 35838776 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-022-06651-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital conditions comprise a significant portion of the global burden of surgical conditions in children. In Somaliland, over 250,000 children do not receive required surgical care annually, although the estimated costs and benefits of scale-up of children's surgical services to address this disease burden is not known. METHODS We developed a Markov model using a decision tree template to project the costs and benefits of scale-up of surgical care for children across Somaliland. We used a proxy set of congenital anomalies across Somaliland to estimate scale-up costs using three different scale-up rates. The cost-effectiveness ratio and net societal monetary benefit were estimated using these models, supported by disability weights in existing literature. RESULTS Overall, we found that scale-up of surgical services at an aggressive rate (22.5%) over a 10-year time horizon is cost effective. Although the scale-up of surgical care for most conditions in the proxy set was cost effective, scale-up of hydrocephalus and spina bifida are not as cost effective as other conditions. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis concludes that it is cost effective to scale-up surgical services for congenital anomalies for children in Somaliland.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Shugri Dahir
- Edna Adan University Hospital, Hargeisa, Somaliland
| | | | | | - Henry E Rice
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Emily R Smith
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA. .,Duke Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA.
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12
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Safe surgery for every child, implementation of paediatric anaesthesia training in Nigeria. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol 2022; 35:343-350. [PMID: 35671022 DOI: 10.1097/aco.0000000000001144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and 43.5% of its population is under 15 years. Most of these children do not have access to specialized paediatric anaesthesia care when needed, as there are only few paediatric anaesthetists in the country. We highlight the barriers to safe anaesthesia in children, present training opportunities in paediatric anaesthesia and the need for additional, more extensive training in Nigeria. RECENT FINDINGS The Nigerian paediatric anaesthesia workforce is minimal with a dismal paediatric anaesthetist to child density of 0.028 per 100 000 children <15 years old. Training opportunities in paediatric anaesthesia exist during residency, diploma and master's programmes. Short paediatric anaesthesia-related courses are also provided, sometimes by partnering with nongovernmental organizations. There is at present, no Fellowship training programme in Nigeria, to train specialists and leaders in paediatric anaesthesia. SUMMARY To solve the urgent problem of acute shortage of paediatric anaesthetists in Nigeria, general anaesthetists should be empowered through short courses to provide safe anaesthesia for children. A comprehensive Fellowship programme is urgently needed to train specialists in paediatric anaesthesia. Equipment upgrade, creation of children's hospitals and empowerment for research are important end points that require governmental support.
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13
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Evans FM, Wake PB, Gathuya ZN, McDougall RJ. Access to Safe Pediatric Anesthesia in LMICs-The Problem Is Clear; It Is Time to Solve It! Anesth Analg 2022; 134:724-727. [PMID: 35299212 DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000005924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Faye M Evans
- From the Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine and Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Pauline B Wake
- Discipline of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
| | | | - Robert J McDougall
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management, the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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14
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Pardo Sáenz JM. Paliativos pediátricos en África. REVISTA IBEROAMERICANA DE BIOÉTICA 2022. [DOI: 10.14422/rib.i18.y2022.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
En este artículo planteamos la necesidad de la imprescindible implantación de estos programas en África. Y que se haga desde la experiencia cultural propia del continente y a la luz de unos principios éticos ajustados a su realidad.
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15
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Ndikontar Kwinji R, Evans F, Gray RM. Challenges with pediatric anesthesia and intraoperative ventilation of the child in the resource-constrained setting. Paediatr Anaesth 2022; 32:372-379. [PMID: 34861089 DOI: 10.1111/pan.14353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The systemic challenges in providing safe anesthesia, including safe ventilation, to children in resource-constrained settings are many. For anesthesia providers caring for children, the lack of appropriate equipment, inadequate anesthesia workforce and deficiencies in postoperative care are especially difficult. The clinical decisions made by anesthesia providers around when and how to ventilate a child for surgery are influenced by all of these factors and can result in patient management which may vary significantly from that in a high-resource setting. This educational review considers the intraoperative ventilation of a small child in a resource-constrained setting and discusses specific challenges and context-sensitive solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Ndikontar Kwinji
- Department of Surgery and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde 1, Yaounde, Cameroon.,Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Yaounde Gyneco Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Faye Evans
- The Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rebecca M Gray
- Division of Paediatric Anaesthesia, Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa.,Division of Global Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
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16
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Gray RM, Cronjé L, Kalipa MN, Lee CA, Evans FM. Paediatric anaesthesia care in Africa: challenges and opportunities. SOUTHERN AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ANAESTHESIA AND ANALGESIA 2022. [DOI: 10.36303/sajaa.2022.28.1.2767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- RM Gray
- Division of Paediatric Anaesthesia, Department of Anaesthesia and Peri-operative Medicine, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town,
South Africa
- Division of Global Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Cape Town,
South Africa
| | - L Cronjé
- Discipline of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Nelson R Mandela School of Clinical Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal,
South Africa
| | - MN Kalipa
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, University of Pretoria,
South Africa
| | - CA Lee
- Department of Paediatric Anaesthesia, Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital and Department of Anaesthesiology, University of the Witwatersrand,
South Africa
| | - FM Evans
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine and Harvard Medical School,
United States of America
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