Background The older person population is rapidly increasing globally, including sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Concurrently, malnutrition is also increasing among older persons in SSA, with a dearth of empirical evidence on nutritional status and associated factors among the older persons in the region to inform effective interventions to promote healthy ageing. Aim/Objective This review assessed the nutritional status and associated factors among older persons in SSA. Method PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library electronic databases were searched for published articles from 2010 to 2021 using keywords and Boolean logic. Also, we carried out a free web-based search to retrieve other relevant evidence that assesses the older persons’ nutritional status. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow chart was used to appraise the research articles that responded to the study’s research questions. Findings Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria, from which data were extracted as findings. The malnutrition prevalence was between 6 to 54% among older persons in SSA. We found that the prevalence of malnutrition vary and could be as high as 28.4% in a low socio-economic status area. Of these studies, twelve (12) provided data on undernutrition with prevalence ranging from 2.9 to 41%;10 provided data on overweight (8.1–54.1%) and 5 on obesity (2.7–44.7%). Seventeen of the studies evaluated factors associated with malnutrition; 4 studies revealed the association between socioeconomic status and malnutrition, 7 studies reported a significant association between dietary habits and malnutrition. Four studies showed an association between educational status and malnutrition. Disease conditions associated with malnutrition were reported in four of the studies. Conclusion This review shows that malnutrition is a problem among older persons in SSA coupled with many risk factors which should be given critical attention. We recommend nutrition education for older persons as well as the development of nutrition interventions for this vulnerable group.
Background Suicide poses a debilitating threat to various aspects of adolescents’ lives worldwide. Although suicide prevention efforts are evident globally through the upsurge of literature on this subject matter, there is limited evidence on the prevalence and correlates of suicidal behaviours among school-going adolescents in Saint Lucia. Methods Authors data set from the Global School-based Student Health Survey to examine the prevalence, predisposing and protective factors of suicidal behaviours among 1,864 students from schools in Saint Lucia. Results We found a prevalence of 25.5%, 22.1%, and 17.5% for suicidal ideation, suicidal plan and suicidal attempt, respectively. After adjusting for other factors, we found that being a male and having understanding parents were protective of suicidal behaviours. However, suicidal ideation was predicted by being physically attacked, bullied, parental/guidance tobacco use, loneliness, and worrying. Also, being a victim of physical attack and bullying, having close friends, being lonely, and worrying were predictive of making suicidal plans among adolescents. The risk of attempting suicide was predicted by cigarette smoking, current use of tobacco and related products, bullying, having close friends, being lonely, and worrying. Conclusion The findings of this study posit the need for school-based interventions to help address triggers of suicidal behaviours among adolescents in Saint Lucia to attain the global Sustainable Development Goals targets of suicide prevention.
This study investigated the prevalence and predictors of alcohol use among school-going-age adolescents in Panama. Using a national school-based cross-sectional survey, data from a proportionate sample of school-going adolescents aged 13–17 years were obtained from the 2018 Panama Global School-based Student Health Survey [GSHS]. Data were analysed with a Pearson’s Chi-square test and weighted binary logistic regression. The results were reported with their corresponding adjusted odds ratio (AOR) at a 95% confidence interval (CI) and level of significance set at p < 0.05. The prevalence of alcohol use among adolescents in Panama was 30.6%. The odds of alcohol use were lower among adolescents in a lower grade than those in upper grades, and lower in those who did not eat from a restaurant than those who ate from a restaurant. Further, the likelihood of alcohol use was significantly high among those who engaged in physical fights, were seriously injured, were mostly worried, and whose parents used any form of tobacco. Other results showed that the odds of alcohol use were high among sedentary respondents, those who had multiple sexual partners and those who used amphetamines. Based on the present findings, a collaborative approach (i.e., stakeholders- the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry of Education- community–individual levels) towards the development and adherence of appropriate interventions aimed at reducing alcohol use is required in Panama. Specific preventive interventions would be fundamental in promoting a positive school climate to help reduce adolescents’ alcohol use and, perhaps, other anti-social behaviours (e.g., physical fights and bullying).
Introduction Injuries form one of the leading causes of death and disability among human populations. Notwithstanding the growing evidence of injuries worldwide, little is known about the case of adolescents in Samoa. The study aimed to explore the prevalence and risk factors associated with serious injuries among adolescents in Samoa. Methods The 2017 Global School-Based Student Health Survey data from Samoa was analysed using the Chi-square test and binomial logistic regression analysis with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) at a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results The prevalence of serious injury among in-school adolescents in Samoa is 46.8%. Sex (male) (AOR = 1.60, CI = 1.29–1.98) was a significant predictor of serious injuries among adolescents in Samoa. Other predictors of serious injuries included physical attack (AOR = 2.21, CI = 1.66–2.94), Physical fights (AOR = 2.27, CI = 1.84–2.80) and being bullied (AOR = 1.59, CI = 1.28–1.99). Conclusion Samoa’s serious injury rate among in-school adolescents requires multidisciplinary programmes like anti-bullying campaigns, violence-free relationship education and policies.
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