ObjectiveTo identify reasons for poor asthma control in African children and adolescents.DesignSystematic reviewData sourcesPubMed, Scopus, CINHAL, PsycINFO, MEDLINE and Web of Science databases were systematically searched up to 31 May 2020. Hand searching was done on Sabinet, African Journal online and Google Scholar.Eligibility criteriaStudies identifying barriers to asthma control, where asthma control was assessed by the validated Asthma Control Test/Child Asthma Control Test and/or Asthma Control Questionnaire were included.Data extraction and synthesisTwo reviewers independently selected studies for inclusion with disagreements resolved by a research team discussion, including a third reviewer. Data were extracted using the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organization of Care data collection form. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the modified Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale. Identified barriers were reported in a thematic narrative synthesis.Primary outcomesPoorly controlled asthma and associated factors.ResultsFrom 914 records, three studies conducted between 2014 and 2019 in Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa met the inclusion criteria. A total of 883 children aged 4–19 years were analysed. Older age, concurrent allergy and city-dwelling significantly impacted asthma control. Few children with asthma symptoms in the community had ever used inhaled corticosteroids (6.7%) and identified reasons included lack of asthma diagnosis (38.8%) and no prescribed treatment (47.6%).ConclusionAsthma control in African children is impacted by age, allergy, urbanisation and lack of access to asthma diagnosis and treatment. More studies focusing on identifying barriers to asthma control in Africa are needed.PROSPERORegistration no: CRD42020196755)
Background. Echinococcus disease in still endemic in many low-middle-income countries, with 1 million people infected at any one time. Surgery, the mainstay of its treatment, is costly. Objectives. To describe the presentation, clinical features and outcomes of children referred with pulmonary hydatid disease at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban, South Africa. Methods. A 10-year review of children with pulmonary hydatid disease at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital was carried out. The data collected were demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiological. Cases were mapped geographically to analyse for clustering of cases. Spearman's correlation was used to assess for correlations between laboratory markers. Results. A total of 24 subjects, 75% of whom were male, were included. The mean (standard deviation) age at diagnosis was 8.9 (3.4) years. The mean delay in diagnosis was 5.8 (5.7) months. Of the subjects, 15 (71.4%) were from the Eastern Cape and 9 from KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Seventy-nine percent of the patients had been exposed to dogs, while 8% reported exposure to either sheep or cattle. There was right-sided preponderance, with 11 right-and 7 left-sided cysts; 6 patients had bilateral cysts, and 4 associated extrapulmonary cysts. Indirect haemagglutination assay was positive in 70%, and blood eosinophilia was present in 45% of the subjects, with no correlation between the two markers (p=0.22). Surgery was the only modality of treatment in 18 (75%) subjects, while 5 had had prior medical therapy for disseminated disease. The mean intensive care stay postoperatively was 2 (2) days with no mortality. Conclusion. Despite exposure to known risk factors and living in endemic regions, there is often a significant delay in diagnosis of pulmonary hydatid disease at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital.
BackgroundAsthma 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 risk factors for asthma in adolescents in an LMIC.MethodsA cross-sectional survey using the Global Asthma Network written and video questionnaires was conducted in adolescents aged 13 and 14 from randomly selected schools in Durban, South Africa, between May 2019 and June 2021.ResultsA total of 3957 adolescents (51.9% female) were included. The prevalence of lifetime, current and severe asthma was 24.6%, 13.7% and 9.1%, respectively. Of those with current and severe asthma symptoms; 38.9% (n=211/543) and 40.7% (n=147/361) had doctor-diagnosed asthma; of these, 72.0% (n=152/211) and 70.7% (n=104/147), respectively, reported using inhaled medication in the last 12 months. Short-acting beta agonists (80.4%) were more commonly used than inhaled corticosteroids (13.7%). Severe asthma was associated with: fee-paying school quintile (adjusted OR (CI)): 1.78 (1.27 to 2.48), overweight (1.60 (1.15 to 2.22)), exposure to traffic pollution (1.42 (1.11 to 1.82)), tobacco smoking (2.06 (1.15 to 3.68)), rhinoconjunctivitis (3.62 (2.80 to 4.67)) and eczema (2.24 (1.59 to 3.14)), all p<0.01.ConclusionAsthma prevalence in this population (13.7%) is higher than the global average (10.4%). Although common, severe asthma symptoms are underdiagnosed and associated with atopy, environmental and lifestyle factors. Equitable access to affordable essential controller inhaled medicines addressing the disproportionate burden of asthma is needed in this setting.
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