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Magutah K, Mbuthia GW, Osengo G, Odhiambo D, Meiring R. Prevalence of modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease among school-going children and adolescents in Eldoret, Kenya. Pan Afr Med J 2024; 47:100. [PMID: 38799190 PMCID: PMC11126747 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2024.47.100.42340] [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: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence in Kenya is rising. Overweight, pre-hypertension and physical inactivity at younger ages is contributory. These risk factors are inadequately documented among Kenyan children and adolescents, hampering CVD prevention. Methods this cross-sectional study randomly sampled 384 participants from Eldoret, Kenya. After ethical considerations, physical activity was assessed. Body mass index (BMI), Waist-Hip-Ratio (WHR) and Waist-Height-Ratio (WHtR) were determined, and blood pressure (BP) was measured. Results participants were 14.6±2.7 years, and 62.6% were female. Eight percent had BMI ≥25.0 kg/m2. Of these, 87% were in secondary schools. Using SBP, 27.9% had CVD risk (42.5% and 20% for males and females ≥13 years and 26.5% and 27% for those <13 years, respectively). For DBP, 12.8% had elevated-to-hypertensive BP (13.2% and 8.3% for males and females ≥13 years and 11.8% and 25.4% for those <13 years, respectively). Combining SBP and DBP, 8.1%, mostly males, had elevated-to-hypertensive BP. Using respective WHR cutoffs of 0.90 and 0.85, 31% (boys) and 15.6% (girls) were at CVD risk. For WHtR, 39.6% of boys were >0.463 cut-off (0.493±0.02) against 32.4% for girls >0.469 cut-off (0.517±0.05). Of these, 52.6% (boys) and 69.7% (girls) were in secondary schools. Overall, 45% of participants were sports-inactive and 77.2% did minimal physical activities. Conclusion among school-going children and adolescents in Eldoret, Kenya, the prevalence of CVD risk factors was high, especially among boys and in high schools. Large proportions had elevated BP, BMI, WHR and WHtR, and, further, were sedentary, posing a high CVD risk. Lifestyle interventions to mitigate this are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Rebecca Meiring
- Department of Exercise Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Mukunya D, Musaba MW, Nambozo B, Oguttu F, Makoko BT, Napyo A, Nantale R, Wani S, Tumuhamye J, Auma P, Atim K, Wamulugwa J, Nahurira D, Okello D, Ssegawa L, Wandabwa J, Kiguli S, Chebet M. Elevated blood pressure among children born to women with obstructed labour in Eastern Uganda: a cohort study. Clin Hypertens 2024; 30:4. [PMID: 38297357 PMCID: PMC10832100 DOI: 10.1186/s40885-023-00261-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, high systolic blood pressure accounts for 10.8 million deaths annually. The deaths are disproportionately higher among black people. The reasons for this disparity are poorly understood, but could include a high burden of perinatal insults such as birth asphyxia. Therefore, we aimed to assess the incidence of elevated blood pressure and to explore associated factors among children born to women with obstructed labour. METHODS We followed up children born to women with obstructed labour aged 25 to 44 months at Mbale regional referral hospital that had participated in the sodium bicarbonate trial ( Trial registration number PACTR201805003364421) between October 2021 and April 2022. Our primary outcome was elevated blood pressure defined as blood pressure (either systolic or diastolic or both) ≥ the 90th percentile for age, height, and sex in the reference population based on the clinical practice guideline for screening and management of high blood pressure in children and adolescents. We used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios between selected exposures and elevated blood pressure. RESULTS The incidence of elevated blood pressure was (39/140, 27.9%: 95% (CI: 20.6-36.1)). Participants aged three years and above had twice the odds of elevated blood pressure as those aged less than three years (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.46: 95% CI (1.01-5.97). Female participants had 2.81 times the odds of elevated blood pressure as their male counterparts (AOR 2.81 95% CI (1.16-6.82). Participants with reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate had 2.85 times the odds of having elevated blood pressure as those with normal estimated glomerular filtration rate (AOR 2.85 95% CI (1.00-8.13). We found no association between arterial cord lactate, stunting, wealth index, exclusive breastfeeding, food diversity and elevated blood pressure. CONCLUSION Our findings show a high incidence of elevated blood pressure among children. We encourage routine checking for elevated blood pressure in the pediatric population particularly those with known risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Mukunya
- Department of Community and Public Health, Busitema University, P.O. Box 1460, Mbale, Uganda
- Department of Research, Nikao Medical Center, P.O. Box 10005, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Milton W Musaba
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Busitema University, P.O. Box 1460, Mbale, Uganda
- Busitema University Centre of Excellency for Maternal Reproductive and Child Health, Mbale, Uganda
| | - Brendah Nambozo
- Department of Community and Public Health, Busitema University, P.O. Box 1460, Mbale, Uganda.
| | - Faith Oguttu
- Department of Community and Public Health, Busitema University, P.O. Box 1460, Mbale, Uganda
| | - Brian Tonny Makoko
- Department of Community and Public Health, Busitema University, P.O. Box 1460, Mbale, Uganda
| | - Agnes Napyo
- Department of Community and Public Health, Busitema University, P.O. Box 1460, Mbale, Uganda
| | - Ritah Nantale
- Department of Community and Public Health, Busitema University, P.O. Box 1460, Mbale, Uganda
- Busitema University Centre of Excellency for Maternal Reproductive and Child Health, Mbale, Uganda
| | - Solomon Wani
- Department of Community and Public Health, Busitema University, P.O. Box 1460, Mbale, Uganda
| | | | - Prossy Auma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, P.O. Box 921, Mbale, Uganda
| | - Ketty Atim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, P.O. Box 921, Mbale, Uganda
| | - Joan Wamulugwa
- Department of Pediatrics, Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, P.O. Box 921, Mbale, Uganda
| | - Doreck Nahurira
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Busitema University, P.O. Box 1460, Mbale, Uganda
| | - Dedan Okello
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Busitema University, P.O. Box 1460, Mbale, Uganda
| | - Lawrence Ssegawa
- Department of Research, Sanyu Africa Research Institute, P.O. Box 2190, Mbale, Uganda
| | - Julius Wandabwa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Busitema University, P.O. Box 1460, Mbale, Uganda
| | - Sarah Kiguli
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Martin Chebet
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Busitema University, P.O. Box 1460, Mbale, Uganda
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Nsanya MK, Abramson R, Kisigo GA, Hickner A, Nyanza EC, Peck RN, Kapiga SH. Hypertension among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1251817. [PMID: 38155990 PMCID: PMC10754047 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1251817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hypertension (HTN) among adolescents is common in high-income countries, and leads to increased premature cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the prevalence of HTN among adolescents, associated risk factors and CVD complications are not well-described. Such data is needed for planning public health programs to prevent premature CVD in SSA. Methods We systematically searched 5 databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and African Index Medicus) from their establishment to December 2021. Key search terms were: adolescent, arterial hypertension, and names of the 48 countries in SSA. We used Covidence® to manage the search results. The review was registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF) https://osf.io/p5sbt/. Results We identified 4,008 articles out of which we screened 3,088 abstracts, and reviewed 583 full-text articles. We finally included 92 articles that were published between 1968 to December 2021. The majority were cross-sectional studies (80%) and conducted in school settings (78%). The risk of bias was low for 59 studies (64.1%), moderate for 29 studies (31.5%), and high for 4 studies (4.3%). Overall, the prevalence of HTN varied widely from 0.18% to 34.0% with a median (IQR) of 5.5% (3.1%, 11.1%). It was relatively higher in studies using automated blood pressure (BP) devices, and in studies defining HTN using thresholds based on percentile BP distribution for one's height, age, and sex. In addition, the prevalence of HTN was significantly higher in studies from Southern Africa region of SSA and positively correlated with the year of publication. Across studies, traditional risk factors such as age, sex, body mass index, and physical inactivity, were commonly found to be associated with HTN. In contrast, non-traditional risk factors related to poverty and tropical diseases were rarely assessed. Only three studies investigated the CVD complications related to HTN in the study population. Conclusion The prevalence of HTN among adolescents in SSA is high indicating that this is a major health problem. Data on non-traditional risk factors and complications are scarce. Longitudinal studies are needed to clearly define the rates, causes, and complications of HTN. Systematic Review Registration https://osf.io/p5sbt/, identifier (10.17605/OSF.IO/P5SBT).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mussa K Nsanya
- Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit/National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Rachel Abramson
- Weill Cornell Medicine - Cornell University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Godfrey A Kisigo
- Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit/National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andy Hickner
- Weill Cornell Medicine - Cornell University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Elias C Nyanza
- Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, School of Public Health, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Robert N Peck
- Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit/National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania
- Weill Cornell Medicine - Cornell University, New York, NY, United States
- Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, School of Public Health, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Saidi H Kapiga
- Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit/National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Craig A, Breet Y, Gafane-Matemane LF, Norris SA, Kruger R. Detecting and Managing Childhood Onset Hypertension in Africa: A Call to Action. Curr Hypertens Rep 2023; 25:211-230. [PMID: 37318686 PMCID: PMC10491553 DOI: 10.1007/s11906-023-01247-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review recent evidence on childhood hypertension across Africa, identifying knowledge gaps, challenges and priorities, and highlight clinical perspectives in managing primary hypertension. RECENT FINDINGS Only 15 of the 54 African countries reported on absolute blood pressure (BP) measures, elevated BP, pre- and/or hypertension. The reported hypertension prevalence ranged between 0.0 and 38.9%, while elevated BP and/or pre-hypertnesion ranged from 2.7 to 50.5%. Childhood BP nomograms are lacking across Africa and the rates of hypertension were based on guidelines developed in countries with the lowest to no number of children from African ancestry. The recent studies across Africa also showed little to no detail when reporting BP specific methodology. No recent data informing the use or effectiveness of antihypertensive agents in children and adolesents are available. Childhood hypertension is on the rise, while data from Africa remains vastly under-represented. Collaborative research, resources, and policies need to be strengthened in addressing the growing public health concern of childhood onset hypertension on this continent.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Craig
- SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Y Breet
- Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
- MRC Research Unit for Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - L F Gafane-Matemane
- Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
- MRC Research Unit for Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - S A Norris
- SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Human Development and Health, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - R Kruger
- Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
- MRC Research Unit for Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
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Chen A, Waite L, Mocumbi AO, Chan YK, Beilby J, Ojji DB, Stewart S. Elevated blood pressure among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob Health 2023; 11:e1238-e1248. [PMID: 37474231 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(23)00218-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND More people from sub-Saharan Africa aged between 20 years and 60 years are affected by end-organ damage due to underlying hypertension than people in high-income countries. However, there is a paucity of data on the pattern of elevated blood pressure among adolescents aged 10-19 years in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to provide pooled estimates of high blood pressure prevalence and mean levels in adolescents aged 10-19 years across sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Google Scholar, African Index Medicus, and Embase to identify studies published from Jan 1, 2010, to Dec 31, 2021. To be included, primary studies had to be observational studies of adolescents aged 10-19 years residing in sub-Saharan African countries reporting the pooled prevalence of elevated blood pressure or with enough data to compute these estimates. We excluded studies on non-systemic hypertension, in African people not living in sub-Saharan Africa, with participant selection based on the presence of hypertension, and with adult cohorts in which we could not disaggregate data for adolescents. We independently extracted relevant data from individual studies using a standard data extraction form. We used a random-effects model to estimate the pooled prevalence of elevated blood pressure and mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels overall and on a sex-specific basis. This study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022297948). FINDINGS We identified 2559 studies, and assessed 81 full-text studies for eligibility, of which 36 studies comprising 37 926 participants aged 10-19 years from ten (20%) of 49 sub-Saharan African countries were eligible. A pooled sample of 29 696 adolescents informed meta-analyses of elevated blood pressure and 27 155 adolescents informed meta-analyses of mean blood pressure. Sex data were available from 26 818 adolescents (14 369 [53·6%] were female and 12 449 [46·4%] were male) for the prevalence of elevated blood pressure and 23 777 adolescents (12 864 [54·1%] were female and 10 913 [45·9%] were male) for mean blood pressure. Study quality was high, with no low-quality studies. The reported prevalence of elevated blood pressure ranged from 4 (0·2%) of 1727 to 1755 (25·1%) of 6980 (pooled prevalence 9·9%, 95% CI 7·3-12·5; I?=99·2%, pheterogeneity<0·0001). Mean SBP was 111 mm Hg (95% CI 108-114) and mean DBP was 68 mm Hg (66-70). 13·4% (95% CI 12·9-13·9; pheterogeneity<0·0001) of male participants had elevated blood pressure compared with 11·9% (11·3-12·4; pheterogeneity<0·0001) of female participants (odds ratio 1·04, 95% CI 0·81-1·34; pheterogeneity<0·0001). INTERPRETATION To our knowledge, this systematic review and meta-analysis is the first systematic synthesis of blood pressure data specifically derived from adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. Although many low-income countries were not represented in our study, our findings suggest that approximately one in ten adolescents have elevated blood pressure across sub-Saharan Africa. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to improve preventive heart-health programmes in the region. FUNDING None.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Waite
- Victorian Department of Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ana O Mocumbi
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique; Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Marracuene, Mozambique
| | - Yih-Kai Chan
- Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Justin Beilby
- Torrens University Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Dike B Ojji
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria; Cape Heart Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Simon Stewart
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique; Cape Heart Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Institute for Health Research, University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, WA, Australia.
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Gewa CA, Onyango AC, Opiyo RO, Gittelsohn J, Cheskin LJ. Patterns and predictors of elevated blood pressure and hypertension among primary school children in urban Kenya. J Hypertens 2022; 40:2513-2520. [PMID: 36093874 DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000003287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We examined the prevalence of elevated blood pressure (BP) and hypertension among 390 primary school children of different socioeconomic status (SES) in two urban settings in Kenya and explored the association between children's BP status and their sociodemographic characteristics, dietary behaviours and overweight/obesity status. METHODS Children's BP and anthropometric measurements were taken and parents, with the help of their children, completed questionnaires on the children's dietary behaviours. An average of three BP readings was used to calculate BP percentiles by age, sex and height. BMI-for-age z-scores, waist-circumference-to-height ratio and the sum of skinfold measures were calculated. We utilized prevalence ratio analysis to examine the association between BP and sociodemographic characteristics, dietary behaviours and overweight/obesity. RESULTS About 9% of the school children had elevated BP and 33% had stage 1 hypertension. Among overweight children, the proportion of children with elevated BP was 1.85-fold greater and the proportion of children with hypertension was 1.83-fold greater compared with children with healthy body weight. Similar patterns of significant associations were seen among obese children, children with central obesity and children with high total skinfold values. The proportion of children with hypertension was 1.42-fold greater among children with high frequency of consumption of chips/crisps compared with children with lower frequency of consumption. CONCLUSION These results increase our understanding BP patterns and determinants among school children in Kenya and can help inform noncommunicable disease prevention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constance A Gewa
- Department of Nutrition & Food Studies, College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Rose O Opiyo
- School of Public Health, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joel Gittelsohn
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, John Hopkins University
| | - Lawrence J Cheskin
- Department of Nutrition & Food Studies, College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Gomwe H, Seekoe E, Lyoka P, Marange CS. Blood pressure profile of primary school children in Eastern Cape province, South Africa: prevalence and risk factors. BMC Pediatr 2022; 22:207. [PMID: 35421965 PMCID: PMC9009017 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-022-03221-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract Background The problem of cardiovascular diseases and lack of adequate information about the blood pressure profiles among children in South Africa has enormous consequences for public health and the general well-being of communities. Aim The aim of this study is to determine the blood pressure profiles and associated risk factors of primary school children in South Africa. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted among 876 children aged 9 to 14 years from 18 randomly selected schools in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Standardised blood pressure measuring instruments were used and an average of three readings was considered. Blood pressure status was classified according to the percentiles of systolic blood pressure (SBP). Results The overall prevalence of hypertension was 5.2% and pre-hypertension was 18.5% while normal blood pressure was 76.3%. The multilevel binary logistic regression’s crude and adjusted analysis revealed that increase in age was significantly associated with elevated BP in children ([crude OR = 1.17 [1.05 – 1.29] and [adjusted OR = 1.12 [1.01 – 1.25]). In addition, increase in BMI was significantly associated with elevated BP in children ([crude OR = 1.08 [1.04 – 1.12] and [adjusted OR = 1.06 [1.02 – 1.11]). There was no statistically significant association between elevated BP and gender for both the univariate and multivariate models. There was also no statistical significant risk for elevated BP associated with place of residence. Conclusions In this sampled population the established proportion of primary school children with elevated BP is of great concern. In addition, older children and those with high BMI (that is, overweight/obesity) were associated with elevated BP. Interventions towards promoting healthy lifestyles among school learners is a necessity if we are to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
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Noubiap JJ. Hypertension in children in sub-Saharan Africa: primordial prevention is crucial. Pan Afr Med J 2021; 37:341. [PMID: 33738029 PMCID: PMC7934189 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2020.37.341.27387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jean Jacques Noubiap
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia
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