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Burden of fungal asthma in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Kwizera, R.; Musaazi, J.; Meya, D.B.; et al. PLOS ONE, which is part of the Public Library of Science (PLOS) (2019) CC2

Asthma is one of the neglected diseases in Africa with a high prevalence. Allergic fungal diseases have been reported to complicate asthma progression and treatment outcomes. However, data about fungal asthma and its associated complications are limited in Africa. We aimed to estimate the burden of ... more

A 20-year follow-up study on chronic respiratory effects of exposure to cotton dust

Wang, X-R.; Zhang, H-X.; Sun, B-X.; et al. European Respiratory Journal, part of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) (2005) CC2

The article "A 20-year follow-up study on chronic respiratory effects of exposure to cotton dust" evaluates the long-term impact of cotton dust exposure on respiratory health. It followed a cohort of Chinese cotton and silk workers from 1981 to 2001, comparing lung function and symptoms. Results sho... more

Barriers and determinants of asthma control in children and adolescents in Africa: a systematic review

Mphahlele, R.E.; Kitchin, O.; Masekela, R. BMJ Open (2021) CC

The article "Barriers and determinants of asthma control in children and adolescents in Africa: a systematic review" analyzes factors contributing to poor asthma control in African youth. Based on studies conducted between 2014 and 2019 in Nigeria, Uganda, and South Africa, the review identifies key... more

Under- and over-diagnosis of COPD: a global perspective

Ho T., Cusack R.P., Chaudhary N. et al. Breathe, part of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) (2019) CC2

The article "Under- and over-diagnosis of COPD: a global perspective" reviews the worldwide variation in the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and issues related to its misdiagnosis. It highlights that COPD is under-diagnosed due to factors such as limited access to spiromet... more

Epidemiology and Challenges of Managing COPD in sub-Saharan Africa

Magitta, N.F.; Sciences, A. Acta Scientific Medical Sciences (2018) CC2

There is paucity of data on the burden and specific drivers operative in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the African setting and populations. Lack of awareness and inadequate knowledge on the aetio-pathogenesis of the disease together with inadequate capacity for ... more

Prioritised research agenda for prevention and control of chronic respiratory diseases

Bousquet, J.; Kiley, J.; Bateman, E.D. European Respiratory Journal (ERJ) (2010) C_WHO

The article outlines the prioritized research agenda for the prevention and control of chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) as part of the World Health Organization's (WHO) action plan on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) from 2008 to 2013. It highlights the significant global impact of CRDs, including... more

Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2023
recommended

UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (2024) CC

At the end of 2023, an estimated 117.3 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced due to persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations and events seriously disturbing the public order. The latest Global Trends report, published in June 2024, provides key statistical trends on forc... more

Ensuring quality health care by reducing HIV-related stigma and discrimination

World Health Organization WHO (2024) C_WHO

Providing quality, stigma-free services is essential to equitable health care for all and achieving global HIV goals and broader Sustainable Development Goals related to health. Every person has the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Countries have a legal obliga... more

International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) - A handbook for pharmacists

Nunes da Cunha I., Autry E. et al International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) (2022) CC2

The document "Chronic Respiratory Diseases: A Handbook for Pharmacists" outlines the significant role pharmacists play in managing asthma and COPD, emphasizing patient education, disease prevention, medication management, and promoting healthy lifestyles. It highlights the importance of pharmacists ... more

The Burden of Pediatric Asthma

Ferrante, G.; La Grutta, S. Frontiers in Pediatrics (2018) CC

Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children, imposing a consistent burden on health system. In recent years, prevalence of asthma symptoms became globally increased in children and adolescents, particularly in Low-Middle Income Countries (LMICs). Host (genetics, atopy) and environmental fa... more

Task-shifting to improve asthma education for Malawian children: a qualitative analysis

Nkhalamba, L.; Rylance, S.; Muula, S. A. et al. Human Resources for Health (2021) CC

Background Asthma education, a key component of long-term asthma management, is challenging in resource-limited settings with shortages of clinical staff. Task-shifting educational roles to lay (non-clinical) staff is a potential solution. We conducted a randomised controlled trial of an enhanced a... more

Symptom-based screening tool for asthma syndrome among young children in Uganda

Nantanda, R.; Siersma, V.; Ndeezi, G. et al. npj Primary Care Respiratory Medicine (2020) CC

Under-diagnosis of asthma in ‘under-fives’ may be alleviated by improved inquiry into disease history. We assessed a questionnaire-based screening tool for asthma among 614 ‘under-fives’ with severe respiratory illness in Uganda. The questionnaire responses were compared to post hoc consensu... more

Risk factors for asthma among schoolchildren who participated in a casecontrol study in urban Uganda

Mpairwe, H.; Namutebi, M.; Nkurunungi, G. et al. eLife (2019) CC

Data on asthma aetiology in Africa are scarce. We investigated the risk factors for asthma among schoolchildren (5–17 years) in urban Uganda. We conducted a case-control study, among 555 cases and 1115 controls. Asthma was diagnosed by study clinicians. The main risk factors for asthma were tertia... more

Prevalence, severity and risk factors for asthma in school-going adolescents in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Mphahlele, R.; Lesosky, M.; Masekela, R. BMJ Open Respiratory Research (2023) CC

Background Asthma remains highly prevalent, with more severe symptoms in low-income to middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with high-income countries. Identifying risk factors for severe asthma symptoms can assist with improving outcomes. We aimed to determine the prevalence, severity and ris... more

Parental understanding of wheeze and its impact on asthma prevalence estimates

Michel, G.; Silverman, M.; Strippoli, M-P. F. et al. European Respiratory Journal (2006) CC

The epidemiology of wheeze in children, when assessed by questionnaires, is dependent on parents' understanding of the term “wheeze”. In a questionnaire survey of a random population sample of 4,236 children aged 6–10 yrs, parents' definition of wheeze was assessed. Predictors of a correct ... more

International study of asthma and allergies in childhood (ISAAC): rationale and methods

Asher, M.I.; Keil, U.; Anderson, H.R. European Respiratory Journal (1995) CC

he aetiology of asthma and allergic disease remains poorly understood, despite considerable research. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), was founded to maximize the value of epidemiological research into asthma and allergic disease, by establishing a standardized m... more

Mpox Technical Factsheet

Africa CDC (2024) CC

Mpox is a zoonotic disease caused by a double-stranded DNA virus that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family. The disease presents with symptoms similar to smallpox but with a lesser severity. It was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a poxlike disease occurred in co... more

African Union AMR Landmark Report: Voicing African Priorities on the Active Pandemic

Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2024) CC

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a leading cause of death in the African region, surpassing fatalities from malaria, HIV, and TB. In response to this critical threat, the region has adopted the AMR Global Action Plan and the African Union Framework for Antimicrobial Resistance Control 2...020 – 2025, which is tailored to meet the specific needs of African nations through a coordinated approach. While most countries in the region have developed and prioritized National Action Plans (NAPs) to tackle AMR, the overall response remains inadequate given the magnitude of the threat, which endangers human, animal, environmental, aquatic, and plant health. Africa bears a significant burden of infectious diseases, accounting for approximately 95% of malaria deaths, 70% of people living with HIV, and 25% of TB deaths globally. In 2019, AMR was linked to approximately 55,000 deaths from HIV, 30,000 from malaria, and 255,000 overall. Major drivers of AMR in the region include the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials in human and food systems, migration, suboptimal vaccination rates, and environmental contamination from hospital and pharmaceutical effluents. Additionally, there is a lack of access to quality-assured antimicrobials and diagnostics, compounded by inadequate knowledge about AMR. Unlike high-income countries, where indiscriminate antimicrobial use is the primary factor driving AMR, African countries face additional challenges, including a lack of access to clean and safe water, poor Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programs, inadequate infection prevention measures, and suboptimal vaccinations for preventable diseases. One in three hospitals in the region lacks clean, safe running water, and one in eight people defecate openly due to inadequate sanitation. Investments in WASH, infection prevention, and biosecurity could save approximately 700,000 lives annually. Addressing AMR in Africa requires a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach involving the entire society. Sustainable access to antimicrobials, including antibiotics, vaccines, and therapeutics, is crucial, as lack of access leads to more morbidity and mortality than AMR itself. Support for the region should focus on preventing infections, strengthening health and food systems, developing human resources, ensuring sustainable access to diagnostics and therapeutics, and investing in laboratory infrastructure to support surveillance and data generation. more

2024 global AIDS report — The Urgency of Now: AIDS at a Crossroads

UNAIDS (2024) CC

This UNAIDS 2024 report brings together new data and case studies which demonstrate that the decisions and policy choices taken by world leaders this year will decide the fate of millions of lives and whether the world’s deadliest pandemic is overcome.

Transforming Vision into Reality: The 2024 Global Alliance Progress Report on Ending AIDS in Children by 2030

UNAIDS (2024) CC

This status report shows how far we have come—and how much further we must go—if we hope to meet the global commitments to end AIDS in children. It offers a snapshot of global progress and permits an early assessment of the impact of the Global Alliance’s work.

Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2023 recommended

Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2023
recommended