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Fejfar D, Andom AT, Msuya M, Jeune MA, Lambert W, Varney PF, Aron MB, Connolly E, Juárez A, Aranda Z, Niyigena A, Cubaka VK, Boima F, Reed V, Law MR, Grépin KA, Mugunga JC, Hedt-Gauthier B, Fulcher I. The impact of COVID-19 and national pandemic responses on health service utilisation in seven low- and middle-income countries. Glob Health Action 2023; 16:2178604. [PMID: 36880985 PMCID: PMC10013493 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2023.2178604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted health services worldwide, which may have led to increased mortality and secondary disease outbreaks. Disruptions vary by patient population, geographic area, and service. While many reasons have been put forward to explain disruptions, few studies have empirically investigated their causes. OBJECTIVE We quantify disruptions to outpatient services, facility-based deliveries, and family planning in seven low- and middle-income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic and quantify relationships between disruptions and the intensity of national pandemic responses. METHODS We leveraged routine data from 104 Partners In Health-supported facilities from January 2016 to December 2021. We first quantified COVID-19-related disruptions in each country by month using negative binomial time series models. We then modelled the relationship between disruptions and the intensity of national pandemic responses, as measured by the stringency index from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker. RESULTS For all the studied countries, we observed at least one month with a significant decline in outpatient visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also observed significant cumulative drops in outpatient visits across all months in Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone. A significant cumulative decrease in facility-based deliveries was observed in Haiti, Lesotho, Mexico, and Sierra Leone. No country had significant cumulative drops in family planning visits. For a 10-unit increase in the average monthly stringency index, the proportion deviation in monthly facility outpatient visits compared to expected fell by 3.9% (95% CI: -5.1%, -1.6%). No relationship between stringency of pandemic responses and utilisation was observed for facility-based deliveries or family planning. CONCLUSIONS Context-specific strategies show the ability of health systems to sustain essential health services during the pandemic. The link between pandemic responses and healthcare utilisation can inform purposeful strategies to ensure communities have access to care and provide lessons for promoting the utilisation of health services elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Afom T Andom
- Clinical Services, Partners In Health, Maseru, Lesotho
| | - Meba Msuya
- Clinical Services, Partners In Health, Maseru, Lesotho
| | - Marc Antoine Jeune
- Department of Strategic Planning and Information Systems, Zanmi Lasante, Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti
| | - Wesler Lambert
- Department of Strategic Planning and Information Systems, Zanmi Lasante, Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti
| | - Prince F Varney
- Strategic Health Information Systems, Partners In Health, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Moses Banda Aron
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Information, Partners In Health, Neno, Malawi
| | - Emilia Connolly
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Information, Partners In Health, Neno, Malawi
| | - Ameyalli Juárez
- Partners In Health/Compañeros en Salud, Jaltenango de la Paz, Mexico
| | - Zeus Aranda
- Partners In Health/Compañeros en Salud, Jaltenango de la Paz, Mexico
| | - Anne Niyigena
- Department of Research and Training, Partners In Health, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Vincent K Cubaka
- Department of Research and Training, Partners In Health, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Foday Boima
- Strategic Health Informations Systems, Partners In Health, Koidu City, Kono District, Sierra Leone
| | - Vicky Reed
- Strategic Health Informations Systems, Partners In Health, Koidu City, Kono District, Sierra Leone
| | - Michael R Law
- Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Karen A Grépin
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | | | - Bethany Hedt-Gauthier
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Isabel Fulcher
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Agusi ER, Allendorf V, Eze EA, Asala O, Shittu I, Dietze K, Busch F, Globig A, Meseko CA. SARS-CoV-2 at the Human-Animal Interface: Implication for Global Public Health from an African Perspective. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112473. [PMID: 36366571 PMCID: PMC9696393 DOI: 10.3390/v14112473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has become the most far-reaching public health crisis of modern times. Several efforts are underway to unravel its root cause as well as to proffer adequate preventive or inhibitive measures. Zoonotic spillover of the causative virus from an animal reservoir to the human population is being studied as the most likely event leading to the pandemic. Consequently, it is important to consider viral evolution and the process of spread within zoonotic anthropogenic transmission cycles as a global public health impact. The diverse routes of interspecies transmission of SARS-CoV-2 offer great potential for a future reservoir of pandemic viruses evolving from the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic circulation. To mitigate possible future infectious disease outbreaks in Africa and elsewhere, there is an urgent need for adequate global surveillance, prevention, and control measures that must include a focus on known and novel emerging zoonotic pathogens through a one health approach. Human immunization efforts should be approached equally through the transfer of cutting-edge technology for vaccine manufacturing throughout the world to ensure global public health and one health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebere Roseann Agusi
- National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom 930001, Nigeria
- Institute of International Animal Health/One Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
- Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu 410001, Nigeria
| | - Valerie Allendorf
- Institute of International Animal Health/One Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
- Correspondence: (A.G.); (V.A.)
| | | | - Olayinka Asala
- National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom 930001, Nigeria
| | - Ismaila Shittu
- National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom 930001, Nigeria
| | - Klaas Dietze
- Institute of International Animal Health/One Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Frank Busch
- Institute of International Animal Health/One Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Anja Globig
- Institute of International Animal Health/One Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
- Correspondence: (A.G.); (V.A.)
| | - Clement Adebajo Meseko
- National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom 930001, Nigeria
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Ngarka L, Siewe Fodjo JN, Njamnshi WY, Ditekemena JD, Ahmed MAM, Wanyenze RK, Dula J, Sessou P, Happi CT, Nkengasong JN, Colebunders R, Njamnshi AK. Adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures in Sub-Saharan Africa during the 1st year of the pandemic: Pooled analysis of the International Citizen Project on COVID-19 (ICPCovid) surveys. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1020801. [PMID: 36424955 PMCID: PMC9679527 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1020801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction While most governments instituted several interventions to stall the spread of COVID-19, little is known regarding the continued observance of the non-pharmaceutical COVID-19 preventive measures particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We investigated adherence to these preventive measures during the initial 6 months of the COVID-19 outbreak in some SSA countries. Methods Between March and August 2020, the International Citizen Project on COVID-19 consortium (www.icpcovid.com) conducted online surveys in six SSA countries: Benin, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Somalia, and Uganda. A five-point individual adherence score was constituted by scoring respondents' observance of the following measures: mask use, physical distancing, hand hygiene, coughing hygiene, and avoiding to touch one's face. Community behaviors (going to public places, traveling during the pandemic) were also assessed. Data were analyzed in two time periods: Period 1 (March-May) and Period 2 (June-August). Results Responses from 26,678 respondents were analyzed (mean age: 31.0 ± 11.1 years; 54.1% males). Mean individual adherence score decreased from 3.80 ± 1.37 during Period 1, to 3.57 ± 1.43 during Period 2; p < 0.001. At the community level, public events/places were significantly more attended with increased travels during Period 2 compared to Period 1 (p < 0.001). Using linear mixed models, predictors of increased individual adherence included: higher age (Coef = 0.005; 95% CI: 0.003-0.007), female gender (Coef = 0.071; 95% CI: 0.039-0.104), higher educational level (Coef = 0.999; 95% CI: 0.885-1.113), and working in the healthcare sector (Coef = 0.418; 95% CI: 0.380-0.456). Conclusion Decreasing adherence to non-pharmaceutical measures over time constitutes a risk for the persistence of COVID-19 in SSA. Younger persons and those with lower education levels constitute target groups for improving adherence to such measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard Ngarka
- Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon,Department of Neurology, Yaoundé Central Hospital/Neuroscience Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo
- Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon,Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - John D. Ditekemena
- Ecole de Santé Publique, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Mohammed A. M. Ahmed
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Mogadishu University, Mogadishu, Somalia,Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rhoda K. Wanyenze
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Janet Dula
- Programa de Politicas e Sistemas de Saúde, Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Philippe Sessou
- Research Unit of Communicable Diseases, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Christian T. Happi
- African Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Disease, Redeemer's University, Ede, Nigeria
| | - John N. Nkengasong
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Africa, African Union, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Alfred K. Njamnshi
- Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon,Department of Neurology, Yaoundé Central Hospital/Neuroscience Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon,*Correspondence: Alfred K. Njamnshi
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Matovu JK, Mulyowa A, Akorimo R, Kirumira D. Knowledge, risk-perception, and uptake of COVID-19 prevention measures in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review. Afr Health Sci 2022; 22:542-560. [PMID: 36910342 PMCID: PMC9993314 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v22i3.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
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 hand-washing 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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Kb Matovu
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.,Department of Community and Public Health, Busitema University Faculty of Health Sciences, Mbale, Uganda
| | - Alex Mulyowa
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rogers Akorimo
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Daniel Kirumira
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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5
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Kolawole DB, Okeke MI. Phylogenetic and genome-wide mutational analysis of SARS-CoV-2 strains circulating in Nigeria: no implications for attenuated COVID-19 outcomes. Osong Public Health Res Perspect 2022; 13:101-113. [PMID: 35538682 PMCID: PMC9091640 DOI: 10.24171/j.phrp.2021.0329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates are low in Nigeria compared to global trends. This research mapped the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 circulating in Nigeria and globally to determine whether the Nigerian isolates are genetically distinct from strains circulating in regions of the world with a high disease burden. METHODS Bayesian phylogenetics using BEAST 2.0, genetic similarity analyses, and genomewide mutational analyses were used to characterize the strains of SARS-CoV-2 isolated in Nigeria. RESULTS SARS-CoV-2 strains isolated in Nigeria showed multiple lineages and possible introductions from Europe and Asia. Phylogenetic clustering and sequence similarity analyses demonstrated that Nigerian isolates were not genetically distinct from strains isolated in other parts of the globe. Mutational analysis demonstrated that the D614G mutation in the spike protein, the P323L mutation in open reading frame 1b (and more specifically in NSP12), and the R203K/ G204R mutation pair in the nucleocapsid protein were most prevalent in the Nigerian isolates. CONCLUSION The SARS-CoV-2 strains in Nigeria were neither phylogenetically nor genetically distinct from virus strains circulating in other countries of the world. Thus, differences in SARS-CoV-2 genomes are not a plausible explanation for the attenuated COVID-19 outcomes in Nigeria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B. Kolawole
- Department of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Biomedical Science Concentration, School of Arts and Sciences, American University of Nigeria, Yola, Nigeria
| | - Malachy I. Okeke
- Department of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Biomedical Science Concentration, School of Arts and Sciences, American University of Nigeria, Yola, Nigeria
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6
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Bouare N, Minta DK, Dabo A, Gerard C. COVID-19: A pluralistic and integrated approach for efficient management of the pandemic. World J Virol 2022; 11:20-39. [PMID: 35117969 PMCID: PMC8788213 DOI: 10.5501/wjv.v11.i1.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which triggered the ongoing pandemic, was first discovered in China in late 2019. SARS-CoV-2 is a respiratory virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that often manifests as a pneumonic syndrome. In the context of the pandemic, there are mixed views on the data provided by epidemiologists and the information collected by hospital clinicians about their patients. In addition, the literature reports a large proportion of patients free of pneumonia vs a small percentage of patients with severe pneumonia among confirmed COVID-19 cases. This raises the issue of the complexity of the work required to control or contain the pandemic. We believe that an integrative and pluralistic approach will help to put the analyses into perspective and reinforce collaboration and creativity in the fight against this major scourge. This paper proposes a comprehensive and integrative approach to COVID-19 research, prevention, control, and treatment to better address the pandemic. Thus, this literature review applies a pluralistic approach to fight the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nouhoum Bouare
- Biomedical Sciences Researcher, National Institute of Public Health, Bamako 1771, Mali
| | | | - Abdoulaye Dabo
- Department Epidemiology & Infectiology Disease, Faculty Medicine & Dentistry, CNRST/Univ Bamako, Bamako 3052, Mali
| | - Christiane Gerard
- Formerly Responsible for the Blood Bank, CHU-Liège, University of Liège, Liège 4000, Belgium
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7
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Fwoloshi S, Hines JZ, Barradas DT, Yingst S, Siwingwa M, Chirwa L, Zulu JE, Banda D, Wolkon A, Nikoi KI, Chirwa B, Kampamba D, Shibemba A, Sivile S, Zyambo KD, Chanda D, Mupeta F, Kapina M, Sinyange N, Kapata N, Zulu PM, Makupe A, Mweemba A, Mbewe N, Ziko L, Mukonka V, Mulenga LB, Malama K, Agolory S. Prevalence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Among Healthcare Workers-Zambia, July 2020. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 73:e1321-e1328. [PMID: 33784382 PMCID: PMC8083617 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare workers (HCWs) in Zambia have become infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, SARS-CoV-2 prevalence among HCWs is not known in Zambia. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional SARS-CoV-2 prevalence survey among Zambian HCWs in 20 health facilities in 6 districts in July 2020. Participants were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for health facility clustering, were calculated for each test separately, and a combined measure for those who had PCR and ELISA was performed. RESULTS In total, 660 HCWs participated in the study, with 450 (68.2%) providing a nasopharyngeal swab for PCR and 575 (87.1%) providing a blood specimen for ELISA. Sixty-six percent of participants were females, and median age was 31.5 years (interquartile range, 26.2-39.8). The overall prevalence of the combined measure was 9.3% (95% CI, 3.8%-14.7%). PCR-positive prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was 6.6% (95% CI, 2.0%-11.1%), and ELISA-positive prevalence was 2.2% (95% CI, .5%-3.9%). CONCLUSIONS SARS-CoV-2 prevalence among HCWs was similar to a population-based estimate (10.6%) during a period of community transmission in Zambia. Public health measures such as establishing COVID-19 treatment centers before the first cases, screening for COVID-19 symptoms among patients who access health facilities, infection prevention and control trainings, and targeted distribution of personal protective equipment based on exposure risk might have prevented increased SARS-CoV-2 transmission among Zambian HCWs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sombo Fwoloshi
- Zambia Ministry of Health, Lusaka, Zambia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.,Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia.,University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Jonas Z Hines
- Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Danielle T Barradas
- Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Samuel Yingst
- Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Mpanji Siwingwa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Lameck Chirwa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - James E Zulu
- Zambia Field Epidemiology Training Program, Lusaka, Zambia.,Zambia National Public Health Institute, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Dabwitso Banda
- Zambia Field Epidemiology Training Program, Lusaka, Zambia.,Zambia National Public Health Institute, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Adam Wolkon
- Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Kotey I Nikoi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Bob Chirwa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Davies Kampamba
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Aaron Shibemba
- Zambia Ministry of Health, Lusaka, Zambia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.,Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia.,University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Suilanji Sivile
- Zambia Ministry of Health, Lusaka, Zambia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.,Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia.,University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Khozya D Zyambo
- Zambia Ministry of Health, Lusaka, Zambia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.,Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Duncan Chanda
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.,University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Francis Mupeta
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.,Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia.,University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Muzala Kapina
- Zambia National Public Health Institute, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Nyambe Sinyange
- Zambia Field Epidemiology Training Program, Lusaka, Zambia.,Zambia National Public Health Institute, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Nathan Kapata
- Zambia National Public Health Institute, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Paul M Zulu
- Zambia National Public Health Institute, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Alex Makupe
- Zambia Ministry of Health, Lusaka, Zambia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.,Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia.,University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Aggrey Mweemba
- Zambia Ministry of Health, Lusaka, Zambia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.,Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia.,University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | | | | | - Lloyd B Mulenga
- Zambia Ministry of Health, Lusaka, Zambia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.,Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia.,University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia.,Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt Medical University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Simon Agolory
- Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lusaka, Zambia
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Musa HH, Musa TH, Musa IH, Musa IH, Ranciaro A, Campbell MC. Addressing Africa's pandemic puzzle: Perspectives on COVID-19 transmission and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Int J Infect Dis 2021; 102:483-488. [PMID: 33010461 PMCID: PMC7526606 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.09.1456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) has spread to almost every region of the world, infecting millions and resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. Although it was predicted that Africa would suffer a massive loss of life due to this pandemic, the number of COVID-19 cases has been relatively low across the continent. Researchers have speculated that several factors may be responsible for this outcome in Africa, including the extensive experience that countries have with infectious diseases and the young median age of their populations. However, it is still important for African countries to adopt aggressive and bold approaches against COVID-19, in case the nature of the pandemic changes. This short review will summarize the status of the outbreak in Africa and propose possible reasons for current trends, as well as discuss interventions aimed at preventing a rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan H Musa
- Biomedical Research Institute, Darfur College, Nyala, Sudan; Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Taha H Musa
- Biomedical Research Institute, Darfur College, Nyala, Sudan; School of Medicine, Darfur College, Nyala, Sudan
| | | | - Ibrahim H Musa
- Biomedical Research Institute, Darfur College, Nyala, Sudan
| | - Alessia Ranciaro
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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