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Lumu W, Bahendeka S, Kibirige D, Wesonga R, Mutebi RK. Effectiveness of a nurse-led management intervention on systolic blood pressure among type 2 diabetes patients in Uganda: a cluster randomized trial. Clin Diabetes Endocrinol 2024; 10:16. [PMID: 38764058 PMCID: PMC11103986 DOI: 10.1186/s40842-024-00173-w] [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: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypertension (HT) is an orchestrator of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in people living with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Control of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and HT as a whole is suboptimal in diabetes, partly due to the scarcity of doctors. While nurse-led interventions are pragmatic and cost-effective in the control of HT in primary health care, their effectiveness on SBP control among patients with T2D in Uganda is scantly known. AIM We evaluated the effectiveness of a nurse-led management intervention on SBP among T2D patients with a high ASCVD risk in Uganda. METHODS A two-armed cluster randomized controlled trial compared the nurse-led management intervention with usual doctor-led care. The intervention involved training nurses to provide structured health education, protocol-based HT/CVD management, 24-h phone calls, and 2-monthly text messages for 6 months. The primary outcome was the mean difference in SBP change among patients with T2D with a high ASCVD risk in the intervention and control groups after 6 months. The secondary outcome was the absolute difference in the number of patients at target for SBP, total cholesterol (TC), fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG), and body mass index (BMI) after the intervention. The study was analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle. Generalized estimating equations were used to assess intra-cluster effect modifiers. Statistical significance was set at 0.05 for all analyses. RESULTS Eight clinics (n = 388 patients) were included (intervention 4 clinics; n = 192; control 4 clinics; n = 196). A nurse-led intervention reduced SBP by -11.21 ± 16.02 mmHg with a mean difference between the groups of -13.75 mmHg (95% CI -16.48 to -11.02, p < 0.001). An increase in SBP of 2.54 ± 10.95 mmHg was observed in the control group. Diastolic blood pressure was reduced by -6.80 ± 9.48 mmHg with a mean difference between groups of -7.20 mmHg (95% C1 -8.87 to -5.48, p < 0.001). The mean differences in the change in ASCVD score and glycated hemoglobin were -4.73% (95% CI -5.95 to -3.51, p = 0.006) and -0.82% (95% CI -1.30 to -0.35, p = 0.001), respectively. There were significant absolute differences in the number of patients at target in SBP (p = 0.001), DBP (p = 0.003), and TC (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION A nurse-led management intervention reduces SBP and ASCVD risk among patients with T2D. Such an intervention may be pragmatic in the screening and management of HT/ASCVD in Uganda. TRIAL REGISTRATION Pan African Clinical Trial Registry, PACTR202001916873358, registered on 6th October 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Lumu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mengo Hospital, P.O Box 7161, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Silver Bahendeka
- Mother Kevin Post Graduate Medical School-Uganda Martyrs University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Ronald Wesonga
- School of Statistics and Planning, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ronald Kasoma Mutebi
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
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Hutchinson B, Walter A, Campbell N, Whelton PK, Varghese C, Husain MJ, Nugent R, Kostova D, Honeycutt A. Scaling hypertension treatment in 24 low-income and middle-income countries: economic evaluation of treatment decisions at three blood pressure cut-points. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e071036. [PMID: 38626959 PMCID: PMC11029208 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Estimate the incremental costs and benefits of scaling up hypertension care in adults in 24 select countries, using three different systolic blood pressure (SBP) treatment cut-off points-≥140, ≥150 and ≥160 mm Hg. INTERVENTION Strengthening the hypertension care cascade compared with status quo levels, with pharmacological treatment administered at different cut-points depending on the scenario. TARGET POPULATION Adults aged 30+ in 24 low-income and middle-income countries spanning all world regions. PERSPECTIVE Societal. TIME HORIZON 30 years. DISCOUNT RATE 4%. COSTING YEAR 2020 USD. STUDY DESIGN DATA SOURCES: Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation's Epi Visualisations database-country-specific cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence, prevalence and death rates. Mean SBP and prevalence-National surveys and NCD-RisC. Treatment protocols-WHO HEARTS. Treatment impact-academic literature. Costs-national and international databases. OUTCOME MEASURES Health outcomes-averted stroke and myocardial infarction events, deaths and disability-adjusted life-years; economic outcomes-averted health expenditures, value of averted mortality and workplace productivity losses. RESULTS OF ANALYSIS Across 24 countries, over 30 years, incremental scale-up of hypertension care for adults with SBP≥140 mm Hg led to 2.6 million averted CVD events and 1.2 million averted deaths (7% of expected CVD deaths). 68% of benefits resulted from treating those with very high SBP (≥160 mm Hg). 10 of the 12 highest-income countries projected positive net benefits at one or more treatment cut-points, compared with 3 of the 12 lowest-income countries. Treating hypertension at SBP≥160 mm Hg maximised the net economic benefit in the lowest-income countries. LIMITATIONS The model only included a few hypertension-attributable diseases and did not account for comorbid risk factors. Modelled scenarios assumed ambitious progress on strengthening the care cascade. CONCLUSIONS In areas where economic considerations might play an outsized role, such as very low-income countries, prioritising treatment to populations with severe hypertension can maximise benefits net of economic costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Hutchinson
- Center for Global Noncommunicable Diseases, RTI International, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Adam Walter
- Health Economics Program, Social, Statistical, and Environmental Sciences, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Norm Campbell
- Community Health Sciences and Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Paul K Whelton
- Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Cherian Varghese
- Healthier Populations and Noncommunicable Diseases, World Health Organization South East Asia Regional Office, New Delhi, India
| | - Muhammad Jami Husain
- Division of Global Health Protection, Global Health Center, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Rachel Nugent
- Center for Global Noncommunicable Diseases, RTI International, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Deliana Kostova
- Division of Global Health Protection, Global Health Center, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Amanda Honeycutt
- Health Economics Program, Social, Statistical, and Environmental Sciences, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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Deressa HD, Abuye H, Adinew A, Ali MK, Kebede T, Habte BM. Access to essential medicines for diabetes care: availability, price, and affordability in central Ethiopia. Glob Health Res Policy 2024; 9:12. [PMID: 38584277 PMCID: PMC10999076 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-024-00352-3] [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] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetes is a major global public health burden. Effective diabetes management is highly dependent on the availability of affordable and quality-assured essential medicines (EMs) which is a challenge especially in low-and-middle-income countries such as Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the accessibility of EMs used for diabetes care in central Ethiopia's public and private medicine outlets with respect to availability and affordability parameters. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in 60 selected public and private medicine outlets in central Ethiopia from January to February 2022 using the World Health Organization/Health Action International (WHO/HAI) standard tool to assess access to EMs. We included EMs that lower glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol as these are all critical for diabetes care. Availability was determined as the percentage of surveyed outlets per sector in which the selected lowest-priced generic (LPG) and originator brand (OB) products were found. The number of days' wages required by the lowest paid government worker (LPGW) to purchase a one month's supply of medicines was used to measure affordability while median price was determined to assess patient price and price markup difference between public procurement and retail prices. RESULTS Across all facilities, availability of LPG and OB medicines were 34.6% and 2.5% respectively. Only two glucose-lowering (glibenclamide 5 mg and metformin 500 mg) and two blood pressure-lowering medications (nifedipine 20 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg) surpassed the WHO's target of 80% availability. The median price based on the least measurable unit of LPG diabetes EMs was 1.6 ETB (0.033 USD) in public and 4.65 ETB (0.095 USD) in private outlets. The cost of one month's supply of diabetes EMs was equivalent to 0.3 to 3.1 days wages in public and 1.0 to 11.0 days wages in private outlets, respectively, for a typical LPGW. Thus, 58.8% and 84.6% of LPG diabetes EMs included in the price analysis were unaffordable in private and public outlets, respectively. CONCLUSIONS There are big gaps in availability and affordability of EMs used for diabetes in central Ethiopia. Policy makers should work to improve access to diabetes EMs. It is recommended to increase government attention to availing affordable EMs for diabetes care including at the primary healthcare levels which are more accessible to the majority of the population. Similar studies are also recommended to be conducted in different parts of Ethiopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hachalu Dugasa Deressa
- School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 9086, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Addis Ababa City Administration Regional Health Bureau, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Habtamu Abuye
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wachemo University, Hossaena, Ethiopia
| | - Alemayehu Adinew
- School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 9086, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Mohammed K Ali
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, US
- Emory Global Diabetes Research Center of the Woodruff Health Sciences Center and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, US
| | - Tedla Kebede
- School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Bruck Messele Habte
- School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 9086, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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Deressa HD, Abuye H, Adinew A, Ali MK, Kebede T, Habte BM. Access to Essential Medicines for Diabetes Care: Availability, Price, and Affordability in Central Ethiopia. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3694051. [PMID: 38106116 PMCID: PMC10723550 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3694051/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Background Diabetes is a major global public health burden. Effective diabetes management is highly dependent on the availability of affordable and quality-assured essential medicines (EMs) which is a challenge especially in low-and-middle-income countries such as Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 60 selected public and private medicine outlets in central Ethiopia from January to February 2022 using the World Health Organization/Health Action International (WHO/HAI) standard tool to assess access to EMs. We included EMs that lower glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol as these are all critical for diabetes care. Availability was determined as the percentage of surveyed outlets per sector in which the selected lowest-priced generic (LPG) and originator brand (OB) products were found. The number of days' wages required by the lowest paid government worker (LPGW) to purchase a one month's supply of medicines was used to measure affordability while median price was determined to assess patient price and price markup difference between public procurement and retail prices. Results Across all facilities, availability of LPG and OB medicines were 34.6% and 2.5% respectively. Only two glucose-lowering (glibenclamide 5mg, metformin 500mg) and two blood pressure-lowering medications (nifedipine 20mg and hydrochlorothiazide 25mg) surpassed the WHO's target of 80% availability. The median price based on the least measurable unit of LPG diabetes EMs was 1.6 ETB (0.033 USD) in public and 4.65 ETB (0.095 USD) in private outlets, respectively. The cost of one month's supply of diabetes EMs was equivalent to 0.3 to 3.1 days wages in public and 1.0 to 11.0 days wages in private outlets, respectively, for a typical LPGW. Thus, 58.8% and 84.6% of LPG diabetes EMs included in the price analysis were unaffordable in private and public outlets, respectively. Conclusion There are big gaps in availability and affordability of EMs used for diabetes in central Ethiopia. Relevant stakeholders should work to improve access to EMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hachalu Dugasa Deressa
- School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Habtamu Abuye
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wachemo University, Hossaena, Ethiopia
| | - Alemayehu Adinew
- School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Mohammed K Ali
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Tedla Kebede
- School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University
| | - Bruck Messele Habte
- School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Schwab J, Wachinger J, Munana R, Nabiryo M, Sekitoleko I, Cazier J, Ingenhoff R, Favaretti C, Subramonia Pillai V, Weswa I, Wafula J, Emmrich JV, Bärnighausen T, Knauf F, Knauss S, Nalwadda CK, Sudharsanan N, Kalyesubula R, McMahon SA. Design Research to Embed mHealth into a Community-Led Blood Pressure Management System in Uganda: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2023; 12:e46614. [PMID: 38032702 PMCID: PMC10722357 DOI: 10.2196/46614] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uncontrolled hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. In Uganda, such diseases account for approximately 10% of all deaths, with 1 in 5 adults having hypertension (>90% of the hypertensive cases are uncontrolled). Although basic health care in the country is available free of cost at government facilities, regularly accessing medication to control hypertension is difficult because supply chain challenges impede availability. Clients therefore frequently suspend treatment or buy medication individually at private facilities or pharmacies (incurring significant costs). In recent years, mobile health (mHealth) interventions have shown increasing potential in addressing health system challenges in sub-Saharan Africa, but the acceptability, feasibility, and uptake conditions of mobile money approaches to chronic disease management remain understudied. OBJECTIVE This study aims to design and pilot-test a mobile money-based intervention to increase the availability of antihypertensive medication and lower clients' out-of-pocket payments. We will build on existing local approaches and assess the acceptability, feasibility, and uptake of the designed intervention. Furthermore, rather than entering the study setting with a ready-made intervention, this research will place emphasis on gathering applied ethnographic insights early, which can then inform the parameters of the intervention prototype and concurrent trial. METHODS We will conduct a mixed methods study following a human-centered design approach. We will begin by conducting extensive qualitative research with a range of stakeholders (clients; health care providers; religious, cultural, and community leaders; academics; and policy makers at district and national levels) on their perceptions of hypertension management, money-saving systems, and mobile money in the context of health care. Our results will inform the design, iterative adaptation, and implementation of an mHealth-facilitated pooled financing intervention prototype. At study conclusion, the finalized prototype will be evaluated quantitatively via a randomized controlled trial. RESULTS As of August 2023, qualitative data collection, which started in November 2022, is ongoing, with data analysis of the first qualitative interviews underway to inform platform and implementation design. Recruitment for the quantitative part of this study began in August 2023. CONCLUSIONS Our results aim to inform the ongoing discourse on novel and sustainable pathways to facilitate access to medication for the management of hypertension in resource-constrained settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION German registry of clinical trials DRKS00030922; https://drks.de/search/en/trial/DRKS00030922. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/46614.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine Schwab
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jonas Wachinger
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Richard Munana
- African Community Center for Social Sustainability, Nakaseke District, Uganda
| | - Maxencia Nabiryo
- Department of Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Isaac Sekitoleko
- African Community Center for Social Sustainability, Nakaseke District, Uganda
| | | | - Rebecca Ingenhoff
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Caterina Favaretti
- Professorship of Behavioral Science for Disease Prevention and Health Care, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Vasanthi Subramonia Pillai
- Professorship of Behavioral Science for Disease Prevention and Health Care, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ivan Weswa
- African Community Center for Social Sustainability, Nakaseke District, Uganda
| | - John Wafula
- African Community Center for Social Sustainability, Nakaseke District, Uganda
| | - Julius Valentin Emmrich
- mTOMADY gGmbh, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Till Bärnighausen
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Felix Knauf
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Samuel Knauss
- mTOMADY gGmbh, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christine K Nalwadda
- Department of Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Nikkil Sudharsanan
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Professorship of Behavioral Science for Disease Prevention and Health Care, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Robert Kalyesubula
- African Community Center for Social Sustainability, Nakaseke District, Uganda
- Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Shannon A McMahon
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
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Harrison MA, Marfo AFA, Annan A, Ankrah DNA. Access to cardiovascular medicines in low- and middle-income countries: a mini review. Glob Health Res Policy 2023; 8:17. [PMID: 37221559 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-023-00301-6] [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: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many cardiovascular (CV) medicines are required for long term. However, with their limited resources, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) may have challenges with access to cardiovascular medicines. The aim of this review was to provide a summary of available evidence on access to cardiovascular medicines in LMICs. METHODS We searched PubMed and Google scholar for English language articles on access to cardiovascular medicines for the period 2010-2022. We also searched for articles reporting measures for challenges in access to CV medicines from 2007 to 2022. Studies conducted in LMICs, and reporting availability and affordability were included for review. We also reviewed studies reporting affordability or availability using the World Health Organisation/Health Action International (WHO/HAI) method. Levels of affordability and availability were compared. RESULTS Eleven articles met the inclusion criteria for review on availability and affordability. Although availability appears to have improved, many countries did not meet the availability target of 80%. Between economies and within countries, there are equity gaps in access to CV medicines. Availability is lower in public health facilities than private facilities. Seven out of 11 studies reported availability less than 80%. Eight studies which investigated availability in the public sector reported less than 80% availability. Overall, CV medicines, especially combined treatments are not affordable in the majority of countries. Simultaneous achievement of availability and affordability target is low. In the studies reviewed, less than 1-53.5 days wages were required to purchase one month supply of CV medicines. Failure to meet affordability was 9-75%. Five studies showed that, on average 1.6 days' wages of the Lowest-Paid Government Worker (LPGW) was required to purchase generic CV medicines in the public sector. Efficient forecasting and procurement, increased public financing and policies to improve generic use, among others are measures for improving availability and affordability. CONCLUSIONS Significant gaps exist in access to cardiovascular medicines in LMICs, and in many low-and lower middle-income countries access to cardiovascular medicines is low. To improve access and achieve the Global Action Plan on non-communicable diseases in these countries, policy interventions must be urgently instituted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Amankwa Harrison
- Pharmacy Department, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Korle Bu, P.O. Box 77, Accra, Ghana.
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Afia Frimpomaa Asare Marfo
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Augustine Annan
- Pharmacy Department, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Korle Bu, P.O. Box 77, Accra, Ghana
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Lumu W, Bahendeka S, Wesonga R, Kibirige D, Kasoma RM, Ssendikwanawa E. Atherogenic index of plasma and its cardiovascular risk factor correlates among patients with type 2 diabetes in Uganda. Afr Health Sci 2023; 23:515-527. [PMID: 37545918 PMCID: PMC10398456 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v23i1.54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) is a reliable predictor of coronary artery disease. There is paucity of data on AIP and its correlates among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Uganda. Objective To assess the profile of AIP and its cardiovascular risk factor correlates among patients with T2D in Uganda. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 8 health facilities with established T2D clinics in Central-Uganda. The study enrolled 500 patients aged 40 to 79 years. Data was collected on socio-demographic characteristics, lipid profile and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). The AIP was derived using log (triglycerides/high-density cholesterol) and further categorised as low cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk if the AIP was <0.1, intermediate risk (0.1-0.24) and high risk (≥0.24). Cardiovascular risk factors were defined according to international guidelines.Stata version 14 was used to analyse data, Pearson correlation analyses were conducted. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results There were 389(77.4%) females with a mean age of 55.07±8. 979 years. Low-risk was found in 43.6%, intermediate risk in 20.2% and high risk in 36.2% of the participants. AIP significantly correlated with waist circumference (r=0.1095, p<0.0147), waist-hip ratio (r=0.1926, p<0.001), Casteri Risk Index I (r=0.506, r=<0.001), Casteri Risk Index II (r=0.246, p<0.001) and atherogenic coefficient (r=0.186, p<0.001). Insignificant correlation was observed between AIP and fasting blood sugar (r=0.017, p=0.7042), HBA1C (r=0.0108, p=0.8099) and diabetes duration (r=0.0445, p=0.32). Conclusions AIP is significantly elevated and correlated with cardiovascular risk factors in patients with T2D. In clinical management, this may be a useful tool in risk stratifying patients with T2D.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Lumu
- Department of Medicine Mengo Hospital Kampala Uganda & Texila American University George Town Guyana
| | - Silver Bahendeka
- Department of Medicine, Mother Kevin Post-Graduate Medical School, Uganda Martyr's University
| | - Ronald Wesonga
- School of Statistics & Planning Makerere University Uganda
| | - Davis Kibirige
- Department of Medicine, Uganda Martyr's Hospital Lubaga, Kampala
| | - Ronald Mutebi Kasoma
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Uganda
| | - Emmanuel Ssendikwanawa
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Uganda
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Kibirige D, Chamba N, Andia-Biraro I, Kilonzo K, Laizer SN, Sekitoleko I, Kyazze AP, Ninsiima S, Ssekamatte P, Bongomin F, Mrema LE, Olomi W, Mbunda TD, Ntinginya NE, Sabi I, Sharples K, Hill P, Te Brake L, VandeMaat J, vanCrevel R, Critchley JA. Indicators of optimal diabetes care and burden of diabetes complications in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e060786. [PMID: 36351737 PMCID: PMC9644326 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-060786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Contemporary data on the attainment of optimal diabetes treatment goals and the burden of diabetes complications in adult populations with type 2 diabetes in Africa are lacking. We aimed to document the current status of attainment of three key indicators of optimal diabetes care and the prevalence of five diabetes complications in adult African populations with type 2 diabetes. METHODS We systematically searched Embase, PubMed and the Cochrane library for published studies from January 2000 to December 2020. Included studies reported any information on the proportion of attainment of optimal glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure (BP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) goals and/or prevalence of five diabetes complications (diabetic peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, foot ulcers and peripheral arterial disease). Random effect model meta-analysis was performed to determine the pooled proportion of attainment of the three treatment goals and the prevalence of five diabetes complications. RESULTS In total, 109 studies with a total of 63 890 participants (53.3% being females) were included in the meta-analysis. Most of the studies were conducted in Eastern African countries (n=44, 40.4%). The pooled proportion of attainment of an optimal HbA1c, BP and LDLC goal was 27% (95% CI 24 to 30, I2=94.7%), 38% (95% CI 30 to 46, I2=98.7%) and 42% (95% CI 32 to 52, I2=97.4%), respectively. The pooled prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, peripheral arterial disease and foot ulcers was 38% (95% CI 31 to 45, I2=98.2%), 32% (95% CI 28 to 36, I2=98%), 31% (95% CI 22 to 41, I2=99.3%), 19% (95% CI 12 to 25, I2=98.1%) and 11% (95% CI 9 to 14, I2=97.4%), respectively. CONCLUSION Attainment of optimal diabetes treatment goals, especially HbA1c, in adult patients with type 2 diabetes in Africa remains a challenge. Diabetes complications, especially diabetic peripheral neuropathy and retinopathy, are highly prevalent in adult populations with type 2 diabetes in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davis Kibirige
- Department of Medicine, Lubaga Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Nyasatu Chamba
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
- Department of Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
| | - Irene Andia-Biraro
- Department of Internal Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Immunomudation and Vaccines, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Kajiru Kilonzo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
- Department of Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
| | - Sweetness Naftal Laizer
- Department of Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
| | - Isaac Sekitoleko
- Non-Communicable Diseases Program, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute & London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Andrew Peter Kyazze
- Department of Internal Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sandra Ninsiima
- Department of Immunology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Phillip Ssekamatte
- Department of Immunology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Felix Bongomin
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Lucy Elauteri Mrema
- Department of Medicine, NIMR-Mbeya Medical Research Programme, Mbeya, Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Willyhelmina Olomi
- Department of Medical Statistics, NIMR-Mbeya Medical Research Programme, Mbeya, Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Theodora D Mbunda
- Department of Medicine, NIMR-Mbeya Medical Research Programme, Mbeya, Mbeya, Tanzania
| | | | - Issa Sabi
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, NIMR-Mbeya Medical Research Programme, Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Katrina Sharples
- Centre for International Health, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Philip Hill
- Centre for International Health, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Lindsey Te Brake
- Department of Pharmacology, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Gelderland, The Netherlands
| | - Josephine VandeMaat
- Department of Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Gelderland, The Netherlands
| | - Reinout vanCrevel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Gelderland, The Netherlands
- University of Oxford Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
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9
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Stolbrink M, Thomson H, Hadfield RM, Ozoh OB, Nantanda R, Jayasooriya S, Allwood B, Halpin DMG, Salvi S, de Oca MM, Mortimer K, Rylance S. The availability, cost, and affordability of essential medicines for asthma and COPD in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review. Lancet Glob Health 2022; 10:e1423-e1442. [PMID: 36113528 PMCID: PMC9638033 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(22)00330-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cause a considerable burden of morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Access to safe, effective, quality-assured, and affordable essential medicines is variable. We aimed to review the existing literature relating to the availability, cost, and affordability of WHO's essential medicines for asthma and COPD in LMICs. METHODS A systematic review of the literature was done by searching seven databases to identify research articles published between Jan 1, 2010, and June 30, 2022. Studies on named essential medicines for asthma and COPD in LMICs were included and review articles were excluded. Two authors (MS and HT) screened and extracted data independently, and assessed bias using Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tools. The main outcome measures were availability (WHO target of 80%), cost (compared with median price ratio [MPR]), and affordability (number of days of work of the lowest paid government worker). The study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42021281069. FINDINGS Of 4742 studies identified, 29 met the inclusion criteria providing data from 60 LMICs. All studies had a low risk of bias. Six of 58 countries met the 80% availability target for short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs), three of 48 countries for inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs), and zero of four for inhaled corticosteroid-long-acting beta-agonist (ICS-LABA) combination inhalers. Costs were reported by 12 studies: the range of MPRs was 1·1-351 for SABAs, 2·6-340 for ICSs, and 24 for ICS-LABAs in the single study reporting this. Affordability was calculated in ten studies: SABA inhalers typically cost around 1-4 days' wages, ICSs 2-7 days, and ICS-LABAs at least 6 days. The included studies showed heterogeneity. INTERPRETATION Essential medicines for treating asthma and COPD were largely unavailable and unaffordable in LMICs. This was particularly true for inhalers containing corticosteroids. FUNDING WHO and Wellcome Trust.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Stolbrink
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK; Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | | | - Ruth M Hadfield
- Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, Deer Park, IL, USA
| | - Obianuju B Ozoh
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Rebecca Nantanda
- Makerere University Lung Institute, College of Health Sciences Kampala, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Shamanthi Jayasooriya
- British Thoracic Society Global Health Group, London, UK; University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Brian Allwood
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - David M G Halpin
- Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, Deer Park, IL, USA; University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Sundeep Salvi
- Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, Deer Park, IL, USA; Pulmocare Research and Education (PURE) Foundation, Pune, India
| | - Maria Montes de Oca
- Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, Deer Park, IL, USA; Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela; Centro Medico de Caracas Hospital, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Kevin Mortimer
- The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France; Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sarah Rylance
- Noncommunicable Disease Management Unit, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
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10
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Lotfizadeh A, Palafox B, Takallou A, Balabanova D, McKee M, Murphy A. Factors associated with the availability and affordability of essential cardiovascular disease medicines in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000072. [PMID: 36962256 PMCID: PMC10021589 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Despite their potential to prevent or delay the onset and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD), medicines for CVD remain unavailable and unaffordable to many in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We systematically reviewed the literature to identify factors associated with availability and affordability of CVD medicines in LMICs. A protocol for this study was registered on the PROSPERO register of systematic reviews (CRD42019135393). We searched Medline, EMBASE, Global Health, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, EconLit, Social Policy and Practice, and Africa Wide Information for studies analyzing factors associated with the presence of medicines (availability) or the price of these medicines as it relates to ability to pay (affordability) in LMICs. We performed a narrative synthesis of the results using an access to medicines framework that examines influences at different levels of the health system. We did not conduct a meta-analysis because of the differences in analytic approaches and outcome measures in different studies. The search was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Of 43 studies meeting inclusion criteria, 41 were cross-sectional. Availability and affordability were defined and measured in different ways. A range of factors such as sociodemographic characteristics, facility tier, presence of medicines on national essential medicine lists, and international subsidy programs were examined. The studies had variable quality and findings were often inconsistent. We find gaps in the literature on factors associated with availability and affordability of CVD medicines, particularly at the health program level. We conclude that there is a need for experimental and quasi-experimental studies that could identify causal factors and effective responses. Such studies would help further our understanding of how complex multifactorial influences impact these outcomes, which could inform policy decisions. Along with this, greater standardization of definitions and measurement approaches of availability and affordability are needed to allow for more effective comparisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Lotfizadeh
- PASHA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Centre for Global Chronic Conditions, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin Palafox
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Centre for Global Chronic Conditions, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Armin Takallou
- School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Dina Balabanova
- Department of Global Health and Development, Centre for Global Chronic Conditions, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin McKee
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Centre for Global Chronic Conditions, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adrianna Murphy
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Centre for Global Chronic Conditions, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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11
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Tetteh EK. Commodity security frameworks for health planning. EXPLORATORY RESEARCH IN CLINICAL AND SOCIAL PHARMACY 2021; 2:100025. [PMID: 35481117 PMCID: PMC9032076 DOI: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2021.100025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Building functional logistics systems and a healthy supplier base within low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are key ways of providing steady, predictable supplies of health commodities for unpredictable demands for healthcare and health. Efforts to provide secure supplies of health commodities, whenever and wherever they are needed, however cannot ignore questions of whether there exists an external supportive environment in LMICs. Health planners must focus not just on capacities internal to logistics systems but also on external capacities. Internal and external capacities must be considered together and not in isolation. For this reason, a capacity-oriented commodity security framework, applicable to all therapeutic categories, is presented to help health planners in LMICs identify and evaluate the interrelated root causes of unreliable supplies in their respective countries.
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12
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Mouton JP, Blockman M, Sekaggya-Wiltshire C, Semakula J, Waitt C, Pirmohamed M, Cohen K. Improving anticoagulation in sub-Saharan Africa: What are the challenges and how can we overcome them? Br J Clin Pharmacol 2021; 87:3056-3068. [PMID: 33586223 PMCID: PMC8359270 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.14768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients in sub-Saharan Africa generally have poor anticoagulation control. We review the potential reasons for this poor control, as well as the potential solutions. Challenges include the affordability and centralisation of anticoagulation care, problems with access to medicines and international normalised ratio monitoring, the lack of locally validated standardized dosing protocols, and low levels of anticoagulation knowledge among healthcare workers and patients. Increasing numbers of patients will need anticoagulation in the future because of the increasing burden of noncommunicable disease in the region. We propose that locally developed "warfarin care bundles" which address multiple anticoagulation challenges in combination may be the most appropriate solution in this setting currently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes P Mouton
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marc Blockman
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Jerome Semakula
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Catriona Waitt
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.,Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Munir Pirmohamed
- Wolfson Centre for Personalised Medicine, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Karen Cohen
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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13
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Tesema AG, Ajisegiri WS, Abimbola S, Balane C, Kengne AP, Shiferaw F, Dangou JM, Narasimhan P, Joshi R, Peiris D. How well are non-communicable disease services being integrated into primary health care in Africa: A review of progress against World Health Organization's African regional targets. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240984. [PMID: 33091037 PMCID: PMC7580905 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In Africa, mortality due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is projected to overtake the combined mortality from communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases by 2030. To address this growing NCD burden, primary health care (PHC) systems will require substantial re-orientation. In this study, we reviewed the progress of African countries towards integrating essential NCD services into PHC. METHODS A review of World Health Organization (WHO) reports was conducted for all 47 countries in the WHO African Region. To report each country's progress, we used an a priori framework developed by the WHO regional office for Africa (AFRO). Twelve indicators were used to measure countries' progress. The proportion of countries meeting each indicator was tabulated using a heat map. Correlation between country income status and attainment of each indicator was also assessed. FINDINGS No country met all the recommended indicators to integrate NCD services into PHC and seven countries met none of the indicators. Few countries (30%) had nationally approved guidelines for NCD management and very few reported availabilities of all essential NCD medicines (13%) and technologies (11%) in PHC facilities. There was no overall correlation between a country's GDP per capita and the aggregate of targets being met (rho = 0.23; P = .12). There was, however, a modestly negative correlation between out-of-pocket expenditure and overall country progress (rho = -0.58; P < .001). CONCLUSION Progress by AFRO Member States in integrating NCD care into PHC is variable across the region. Enhanced government commitment and judicious resource allocation to prioritize NCDs are needed. Particular areas of focus include increasing the uptake of simplified guidelines for NCDs; increasing workforce capacity to manage NCDs; and removing access barriers to essential medicines and basic diagnostic technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Seye Abimbola
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Christine Balane
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia
| | - Andre Pascal Kengne
- Non-communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council & University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Fassil Shiferaw
- World Health Organization, Ethiopia Office, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Jean-Marie Dangou
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | - Padmanesan Narasimhan
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rohina Joshi
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi, India
| | - David Peiris
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia
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14
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Namale G, Kamacooko O, Makhoba A, Mugabi T, Ndagire M, Ssanyu P, Ddamulira JBM, Yperzeele L, Cras P, Ddumba E, Seeley J, Newton R. Predictors of 30-day and 90-day mortality among hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke patients in urban Uganda: a prospective hospital-based cohort study. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2020; 20:442. [PMID: 33032527 PMCID: PMC7545850 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-020-01724-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We report here on a prospective hospital-based cohort study that investigates predictors of 30-day and 90-day mortality and functional disability among Ugandan stroke patients. Methods Between December 2016 and March 2019, we enrolled consecutive hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke patients at St Francis Hospital Nsambya, Kampala, Uganda. The primary outcome measure was mortality at 30 and 90 days. The modified Ranking Scale wasused to assess the level of disability and mortality after stroke. Stroke severity at admission was assessed using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Examination included clinical neurological evaluation, laboratory tests and brain computed tomography (CT) scan. Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariate Cox proportional hazard model were used for unadjusted and adjusted analysis to predict mortality. Results We enrolled 141 patients; 48 (34%) were male, mean age was 63.2 (+ 15.4) years old; 90 (64%) had ischemic and 51 (36%) had hemorrhagic stroke; 81 (57%) were elderly (≥ 60 years) patients. Overall mortality was 44 (31%); 31 (23%) patients died within the first 30 days post-stroke and, an additional 13 (14%) died within 90 days post-stroke. Mortality for hemorrhagic stroke was 19 (37.3%) and 25 (27.8%) for ischemic stroke. After adjusting for age and sex, a GCS score below < 9 (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] =3.49, 95% CI: 1.39–8.75) was a significant predictor of 30-day mortality. GCS score < 9 (aHR =4.34 (95% CI: 1.85–10.2), stroke severity (NIHSS ≥21) (aHR = 2.63, 95% CI: (1.68–10.5) and haemorrhagic stroke type (aHR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.13–4.66) were significant predictors of 90-day mortality. Shorter hospital stay of 7–13 days (aHR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.11–0.93) and being married (aHR = 0.22 (95% CI: 0.06–0.84) had protective effects for 30 and 90-day mortality respectively. Conclusion Mortality is high in the acute and sub-acute phase of stroke. Low levels of consciousness at admission, stroke severity, and hemorrhagic stroke were associated with increased higher mortality in this cohort of Ugandan stroke patients. Being married provided a protective effect for 90-day mortality. Given the high mortality during the acute phase, critically ill stroke patients would benefit from early interventions established as the post-stroke- standard of care in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gertrude Namale
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, P.O Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda.
| | - Onesmus Kamacooko
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, P.O Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Anthony Makhoba
- St. Francis Hospital Nsambya affiliated to Uganda Martyrs University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Timothy Mugabi
- St. Francis Hospital Nsambya affiliated to Uganda Martyrs University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Maria Ndagire
- St. Francis Hospital Nsambya affiliated to Uganda Martyrs University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Proscovia Ssanyu
- St. Francis Hospital Nsambya affiliated to Uganda Martyrs University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - John Bosco M Ddamulira
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Laetitia Yperzeele
- Stroke unit and Antwerp Neuro-Vascular Center, department of Neurology, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp Belgium and Research group on Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Patrick Cras
- Born Bunge Institute, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Department of Neurology, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Edward Ddumba
- St. Francis Hospital Nsambya affiliated to Uganda Martyrs University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Janet Seeley
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, P.O Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda.,London School of Hygiene &Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Robert Newton
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, P.O Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda.,University of York, York, UK
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15
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Klatman EL, Ogle GD. Access to insulin delivery devices and glycated haemoglobin in lower-income countries. World J Diabetes 2020; 11:358-369. [PMID: 32864048 PMCID: PMC7438184 DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v11.i8.358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Young people with type 1 diabetes in low-and-middle income countries face many challenges in accessing care, with various essential supplies needed for survival and long-term health.
AIM To study insulin delivery devices and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) testing.
METHODS A survey was conducted in 2019 of leading diabetes centres in 41 countries supported by the Life for a Child Program. The survey covered numerous aspects concerning availability and costs at all levels of the health system, local usage patterns and attitudes, obstacles, and other aspects.
RESULTS Thirty-seven countries returned the survey (90.2% response rate). Key findings included: Syringe use was most common (83.1%), followed by insulin pens (16.7%) and pumps (0.2%). 48.6% of public health systems did not provide syringes, even with a co-payment. Use of suboptimal syringe/needle combinations was common. Needles were generally reused in almost all countries (94.3%, n = 35). Aside from donated supplies, there was variable access to HbA1c testing within public health facilities, and, when available, patients often had to cover the cost. Provision was further compromised by numerous problems including stock-outs, and challenges with understanding the test, equipment maintenance, and refrigeration.
CONCLUSION Large gaps exist for adequate access to appropriate insulin delivery devices and HbA1c testing. Public health systems in low-and-middle income countries should increase affordable provision. There are also needs for specific health professional training and diabetes education; elimination of customs duties and taxes; development of inexpensive, robust HbA1c testing methods that do not require refrigeration of testing supplies; differential pricing schemes; and other solutions.
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16
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Tusubira AK, Akiteng AR, Nakirya BD, Nalwoga R, Ssinabulya I, Nalwadda CK, Schwartz JI. Accessing medicines for non-communicable diseases: Patients and health care workers' experiences at public and private health facilities in Uganda. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235696. [PMID: 32634164 PMCID: PMC7340292 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasingly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. Successful management requires consistent access to appropriate medicines. Availability of NCD medicines is generally low, especially in the public sector, however, little is known about other factors affecting access. We explored barriers and facilitators of access to medicines for diabetes and hypertension at public and private health facilities in Uganda. Methods We conducted a qualitative descriptive study at six public hospitals and five private health facilities in different regions of Uganda. Data collection included 36 in-depth interviews and 14 focus group discussions (n = 128) among purposively selected adult outpatients with diabetes and/or hypertension and 26 key informant interviews with healthcare workers and patient association leaders. Transcripts were coded and emerging themes identified using the Framework method. Results Four main themes emerged: Stocking of medicines and supplies, Financial factors, Individual behaviour and attitudes, and Service delivery at health facilities. Stocking of medicines and supplies mainly presented barriers to access at public facilities including frequent stockouts, failure to stock certain medicines and low quality brands often rejected by patients. Financial factors, especially high cost of medicines and limited insurance coverage, were barriers in private facilities. Free service provision was a facilitator at public facilities. Patients’ confusion resulting from mixed messages and their preference for herbal treatments were cross-sector barriers. While flexibility in NCD service provision was a facilitator at private facilities, provider burnout and limited operating hours were barriers in public facilities. Patient-driven associations exist at some public facilities and help mitigate inadequate medicine stock. Conclusion Access to NCD medicines in Uganda is influenced by both health system and patient factors. Some factors are sector-specific, while others cross-cutting between public and private sectors. Due to commonalities in barriers, potential strategies for overcoming them may include patient-driven associations, public-private partnerships, and multi-modal health education platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew K. Tusubira
- Uganda Initiative for Integrated Management of Non-Communicable Diseases, Kampala, Uganda
- * E-mail:
| | - Ann R. Akiteng
- Uganda Initiative for Integrated Management of Non-Communicable Diseases, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Brenda D. Nakirya
- Uganda Initiative for Integrated Management of Non-Communicable Diseases, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ritah Nalwoga
- Uganda Initiative for Integrated Management of Non-Communicable Diseases, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Isaac Ssinabulya
- Uganda Initiative for Integrated Management of Non-Communicable Diseases, Kampala, Uganda
- Uganda Heart Institute, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Christine K. Nalwadda
- Uganda Initiative for Integrated Management of Non-Communicable Diseases, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jeremy I. Schwartz
- Uganda Initiative for Integrated Management of Non-Communicable Diseases, Kampala, Uganda
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
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17
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Godman B, Basu D, Pillay Y, Mwita JC, Rwegerera GM, Anand Paramadhas BD, Tiroyakgosi C, Okwen PM, Niba LL, Nonvignon J, Sefah I, Oluka M, Guantai AN, Kibuule D, Kalemeera F, Mubita M, Fadare J, Ogunleye OO, Distiller LA, Rampamba EM, Wing J, Mueller D, Alfadl A, Amu AA, Matsebula Z, Kalungia A, Zaranyika T, Masuka N, Wale J, Hill R, Kurdi A, Timoney A, Campbell S, Meyer JC. Review of Ongoing Activities and Challenges to Improve the Care of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Across Africa and the Implications for the Future. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:108. [PMID: 32265688 PMCID: PMC7098994 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There has been an appreciable increase in the number of people in Africa with metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in recent years as a result of a number of factors. Factors include lifestyle changes, urbanisation, and the growing consumption of processed foods coupled with increasing levels of obesity. Currently there are 19 million adults in Africa with diabetes, mainly T2DM (95%), estimated to grow to 47 million people by 2045 unless controlled. This has a considerable impact on morbidity, mortality and costs in the region. There are a number of issues to address to reduce the impact of T2DM including improving detection rates and current access to services alongside addressing issues of adherence to prescribed medicines. There are also high rates of co-morbidities with infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis in patients in Africa with T2DM that require attention. Objective Document ongoing activities across Africa to improve the care of patients with T2DM especially around issues of identification, access, and adherence to changing lifestyles and prescribed medicines. In addition, discussing potential ways forward to improve the care of patients with T2DM based on ongoing activities and experiences including addressing key issues associated with co-morbidities with infectious diseases. Our Approach Contextualise the findings from a wide range of publications including internet based publications of national approaches coupled with input from senior level government, academic and other professionals from across Africa to provide future guidance. Ongoing Activities A number of African countries are actively instigating programmes to improve the care of patients with T2DM starting with improved diagnosis. This recognises the growing burden of non-communicable diseases across Africa, which has been neglected in the past. Planned activities include programmes to improve detection rates and address key issues with diet and lifestyle changes, alongside improving monitoring of care and activities to enhance adherence to prescribed medicines. In addition, addressing potential complexities involving diabetes patients with infectious disease co-morbidities. It is too early to fully assess the impact of such activities. Conclusion There are a number of ongoing activities across Africa to improve the management of patients with diabetes including co-morbidities. However, more needs to be done considering the high and growing burden of T2DM in Africa. Ongoing research will help further benefit resource allocation and subsequent care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Godman
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.,Division of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa.,Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.,Health Economics Centre, University of Liverpool Management School, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Debashis Basu
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Yogan Pillay
- HIV & AIDS, TB and Maternal, Child and Women's Health, National Department of Health, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Julius C Mwita
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Godfrey Mutashambara Rwegerera
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana.,Department of Medicine, Princess Marina Hospital, Gaborone, Botswana
| | | | - Celda Tiroyakgosi
- Botswana Essential Drugs Action Program, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Patrick Mbah Okwen
- Effective Basic Services (eBASE) Africa, Bamenda, Cameroon.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Loveline Lum Niba
- Effective Basic Services (eBASE) Africa, Bamenda, Cameroon.,Department of Public Health, University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon
| | | | - Israel Sefah
- Department of Pharmacy, Keta Municipal Hospital, Ghana Health Service, Keta, Ghana
| | - Margaret Oluka
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Anastasia N Guantai
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Dan Kibuule
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Francis Kalemeera
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Mwangana Mubita
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Joseph Fadare
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.,Department of Medicine, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Olayinka O Ogunleye
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Lagos, Nigeria.,Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Larry A Distiller
- Centre for Diabetes & Endocrinology (Pty) Ltd, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Enos M Rampamba
- Division of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Pharmacy, Tshilidzini Regional Hospital, Limpopo Department Of Health, Shayandima, South Africa
| | - Jeffrey Wing
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Debjani Mueller
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Charlotte Maxeke Medical Research Cluster, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Abubakr Alfadl
- National Medicines Board, Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum, Sudan.,Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Unaizah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Aubrey Kalungia
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Trust Zaranyika
- Department of Medicine, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Nyasha Masuka
- Independent Health Systems Consultant, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Janney Wale
- Independent Consumer Advocate, Brunswick, VIC, Australia
| | - Ruaraidh Hill
- Liverpool Reviews and Implementation Group, Liverpool University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Amanj Kurdi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.,Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Angela Timoney
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.,NHS Lothian Director of Pharmacy, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Campbell
- Centre for Primary Care, Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Johanna C Meyer
- Division of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
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18
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Availability, prices and affordability of essential medicines for treatment of diabetes and hypertension in private pharmacies in Zambia. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226169. [PMID: 31834889 PMCID: PMC6910693 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To explore availability, prices and affordability of essential medicines for diabetes and hypertension treatment in private pharmacies in three provinces of Zambia. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 99 pharmacies across three Zambian provinces. Methods were based on a standardized methodology by the World Health Organization and Health Action International. Availability was analysed as mean availability per pharmacy and individual medicine. Median prices were compared to international reference prices and differences in price between medicine forms (original brand or generic product) were computed. Affordability was assessed as number of days’ salaries required to purchase a standard treatment course using the absolute poverty line and mean per capita provincial household income as standard. An analysis identifying medicines considered both available and affordable was conducted. Results Two antidiabetics and nine antihypertensives had high-level availability (≥80%) in all provinces; availability levels for the remaining surveyed antidiabetics and antihypertensives were largely found below 50%. Availability further varied markedly across medicines and medicine forms. Prices for most medicines were higher than international reference prices and great price variations were found between pharmacies, medicines and medicine forms. Compared to original brand products, purchase of generics was associated with price savings for patients between 21.54% and 96.47%. No medicine was affordable against the absolute poverty line and only between four and eleven using mean per capita provincial incomes. Seven generics in Copperbelt/Lusaka and two in Central province were highly available and affordable. Conclusions The study showed that the majority of surveyed antidiabetic and antihypertensive medicines was inadequately available (<80%). In addition, most prices were higher than their international reference prices and that treatment with these medicines was largely unaffordable against the set affordability thresholds. Underlying reasons for the findings should be explored as a basis for targeted policy initiatives.
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19
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Rogers HE, Akiteng AR, Mutungi G, Ettinger AS, Schwartz JI. Capacity of Ugandan public sector health facilities to prevent and control non-communicable diseases: an assessment based upon WHO-PEN standards. BMC Health Serv Res 2018; 18:606. [PMID: 30081898 PMCID: PMC6080524 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-018-3426-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasing in prevalence in low-income countries including Uganda. The Uganda Ministry of Health has prioritized NCD prevention, early diagnosis, and management. However, research on the capacity of public sector health facilities to address NCDs is limited. Methods We developed a survey guided by the literature and the standards of the World Health Organization Pacakage of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions for Primary Health Care in Low-Resource Settings. We used this tool to conduct a needs assessment in 53 higher-level public sector facilities throughout Uganda, including all Regional Referral Hospitals (RRH) and a purposive sample of General Hospitals (GH) and Health Centre IVs (HCIV), to: (1) assess their capacity to detect and manage NCDs; (2) describe provider knowledge and practices regarding the management of NCDs; and (3) identify areas in need of focused improvement. We collected data on human resources, equipment, NCD screening and management, medicines, and laboratory tests. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize our findings. Results We identified significant resource gaps at all sampled facilities. All facilities reported deficiencies in NCD screening and management services. Less than half of all RRH and GH had an automated blood pressure machine. The only laboratory test uniformly available at all surveyed facilities was random blood glucose. Sub-specialty NCD clinics were available in some facilities with the most common type being a diabetes clinic present at eleven (85%) RRHs. These facilities offered enhanced services to patients with diabetes. Surveyed facilities had limited use of NCD patient registries and NCD management guidelines. Most facilities (46% RRH, 23% GH, 7% HCIV) did not track patients with NCDs by using registries and only 4 (31%) RRHs, 4 (15%) GHs, and 1 (7%) HCIVs had access to diabetes management guidelines. Conclusions Despite inter-facility variability, none of the facilities in our study met the WHO-PEN standards for essential tools and medicines to implement effective NCD interventions. In Uganda, improvements in the allocation of human resources and essential medicines and technologies, coupled with uptake in the use of quality assurance modalities are desperately needed in order to adequately address the rapidly growing NCD burden. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-018-3426-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary E Rogers
- The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Ann R Akiteng
- Uganda Initiative for Integrated Management of Non-Communiable Diseases, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Gerald Mutungi
- Uganda Initiative for Integrated Management of Non-Communiable Diseases, Kampala, Uganda.,Programme for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, Department of Community Health, Government of Uganda Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Adrienne S Ettinger
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jeremy I Schwartz
- Uganda Initiative for Integrated Management of Non-Communiable Diseases, Kampala, Uganda. .,Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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20
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Beran D, Ewen M, Lipska K, Hirsch IB, Yudkin JS. Availability and Affordability of Essential Medicines: Implications for Global Diabetes Treatment. Curr Diab Rep 2018; 18:48. [PMID: 29907884 DOI: 10.1007/s11892-018-1019-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this review is to highlight the key issues with regard to the value, affordability, and availability of diabetes treatments. RECENT FINDINGS Many of the medicines needed to manage diabetes are available as generics and, if purchased appropriately, can be made affordable to many individuals and systems. With new treatments for diabetes, additional costs to individuals and systems need to be assessed in terms of added clinical benefit and financial impact. As healthcare finances are limited, increased spending on diabetes medicines means fewer resources for other areas of diabetes care or for the population as a whole. This increased expenditure is driven by rising prevalence as well as the cost of newer treatments. With an increasing burden of disease and changing patterns of medicines in the market, we stress the need to focus attention on ensuring access for individuals to essential medicines. Universal health care offers unique opportunity to address the issue of access to medicines and the wider issues surrounding access to diabetes care, but this will require concerted action bringing together governments, civil society and the private sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Beran
- Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, University of Geneva and Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 6, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Margaret Ewen
- Health Action International, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kasia Lipska
- Section of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Irl B Hirsch
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - John S Yudkin
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
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21
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Disparities in availability of essential medicines to treat non-communicable diseases in Uganda: A Poisson analysis using the Service Availability and Readiness Assessment. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0192332. [PMID: 29420640 PMCID: PMC5805288 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Although the WHO-developed Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) tool is a comprehensive and widely applied survey of health facility preparedness, SARA data have not previously been used to model predictors of readiness. We sought to demonstrate that SARA data can be used to model availability of essential medicines for treating non-communicable diseases (EM-NCD). Methods We fit a Poisson regression model using 2013 SARA data from 196 Ugandan health facilities. The outcome was total number of different EM-NCD available. Basic amenities, equipment, region, health facility type, managing authority, NCD diagnostic capacity, and range of HIV services were tested as predictor variables. Findings In multivariate models, we found significant associations between EM-NCD availability and region, managing authority, facility type, and range of HIV services. For-profit facilities’ EM-NCD counts were 98% higher than public facilities (p < .001). General hospitals and referral health centers had 98% (p = .004) and 105% (p = .002) higher counts compared to primary health centers. Facilities in the North and East had significantly lower counts than those in the capital region (p = 0.015; p = 0.003). Offering HIV care was associated with 35% lower EM-NCD counts (p = 0.006). Offering HIV counseling and testing was associated with 57% higher counts (p = 0.048). Conclusion We identified multiple within-country disparities in availability of EM-NCD in Uganda. Our findings can be used to identify gaps and guide distribution of limited resources. While the primary purpose of SARA is to assess and monitor health services readiness, we show that it can also be an important resource for answering complex research and policy questions requiring multivariate analysis.
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Kibirige D, Kampiire L, Atuhe D, Mwebaze R, Katagira W, Muttamba W, Nantanda R, Worodria W, Kirenga B. Access to affordable medicines and diagnostic tests for asthma and COPD in sub Saharan Africa: the Ugandan perspective. BMC Pulm Med 2017; 17:179. [PMID: 29216852 PMCID: PMC5721472 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-017-0527-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Equitable access to affordable medicines and diagnostic tests is an integral component of optimal clinical care of patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In Uganda, we lack contemporary data about the availability, cost and affordability of medicines and diagnostic tests essential in asthma and COPD management. Methods Data on the availability, cost and affordability of 17 medicines and 2 diagnostic tests essential in asthma and COPD management were collected from 22 public hospitals, 23 private and 85 private pharmacies. The percentage of the available medicines and diagnostic tests, the median retail price of the lowest priced generic brand and affordability in terms of the number of days’ wages it would cost the least paid public servant were analysed. Results The availability of inhaled short acting beta agonists (SABA), oral leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA), inhaled LABA-ICS combinations and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in all the study sites was 75%, 60.8%, 46.9% and 45.4% respectively. None of the study sites had inhaled long acting anti muscarinic agents (LAMA) and inhaled long acting beta agonist (LABA)-LAMA combinations. Spirometry and peak flow-metry as diagnostic tests were available in 24.4% and 6.7% of the study sites respectively. Affordability ranged from 2.2 days’ wages for inhaled salbutamol to 17.1 days’ wages for formoterol/budesonide inhalers and 27.8 days’ wages for spirometry. Conclusion Medicines and diagnostic tests essential in asthma and COPD care are not widely available in Uganda and remain largely unaffordable. Strategies to improve access to affordable asthma and COPD medicines and diagnostic tests should be implemented in Uganda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davis Kibirige
- Department of Medicine, Uganda Martyrs Hospital Lubaga, P.O. BOX 7146, Kampala, Uganda. .,Medical unit, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceutical Kenya Limited, Kampala, Uganda.
| | | | - David Atuhe
- Department of Medicine, Case hospital Kampala, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Raymond Mwebaze
- Department of Medicine, St. Francis hospital Nsambya, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Winceslaus Katagira
- Makerere Lung Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Winters Muttamba
- Makerere Lung Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rebecca Nantanda
- Makerere Lung Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - William Worodria
- Division of Pulmonology, Mulago National Referral and Teaching hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bruce Kirenga
- Makerere Lung Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.,Division of Pulmonology, Mulago National Referral and Teaching hospital, Kampala, Uganda
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