The impact of poverty reduction and development interventions on non-communicable diseases and their behavioural risk factors in low and lower-middle income countries: A systematic review

Abstract

IntroductionNon-communicable diseases (NCDs) disproportionately affect low- and lower-middle income countries (LLMICs) where 80% of global NCD related deaths occur. LLMICs are the primary focus of interventions to address development and poverty indicators. We aimed to synthesise the evidence of these interventions' impact on the four primary NCDs (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and cancer) and their common behavioural risk factors (unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco and alcohol use).MethodsWe systematically searched four online databases (Medline, Embase, Web of Science and Global Health) for primary research conducted in LLMICS, published between January 1st 1990 and February 15th 2016. Studies involved development or poverty interventions which reported on outcomes relating to NCDs. We extracted summary level data on study design, population, health outcomes and potential confounders.ResultsFrom 6383 search results, 29 studies from 24 LLMICs published between 1999 and 2015 met our inclusion criteria. The quality of included studies was limited and heterogeneity of outcome measures required narrative synthesis. One study measured impact on NCD prevalence, one physical activity and 27 dietary components. The majority of papers (23), involved agricultural interventions. Primary outcome measures tended to focus on undernutrition. Intensive agricultural interventions were associated with improved calorie, vitamin, fruit and vegetable intake. However, positive impacts were reliant on participant's land ownership, infection status and limited in generalisability. Just three studies measured adult obesity; two indicated increased income and consequential food affordability had the potential to increase obesity. Overall, there was poor alignment between included studies outcome measures and the key policy options and objectives of the Global Action Plan on NCDs.ConclusionsThough many interventions addressing poverty and development have great potential to impact on NCD prevalence and risk, most fail to measure or report these outcomes. Current evidence is limited to behavioural risk factors, namely diet and suggests a positive impact of agricultural-based food security programmes on dietary indicators. However, studies investigating the impact of improved income on obesity tend to show an increased risk. Embedding NCD impact evaluation into development programmes is crucial in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals and the rapid epidemiological transitions facing LLMICs.

Challenges for the adoption of ICT for diabetes self‐management in South Africa

“…The prevalence of diabetes is comparable with other low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC), where the burden of disease is disproportionate to higher income countries (Pullar et al, ). These prevalent inequalities in diabetes are aggravated by variances in lifestyle (Mutyambizi, Booysen, Stokes, Pavlova, & Groot, ).…”

“…Given the scenario of limited resources in health care systems, the use of information communication and technology (ICT) for medical self‐care has become an increasingly popular topic in literature (Bellei, Biduski, Cechetti, & De Marchi, ; Bodenheimer, Lorig, Holman, & Grumbach, ; Gammon, Berntsen, Koricho, Sygna, & Ruland, ; McMillan, Kirk, Hewitt, & Macrury, ; Nundy et al, ; Pullar et al, ). In the case of diabetes self‐care, seven behaviours form the basis of diabetes self‐management, namely, healthy eating, being active, blood glucose monitoring, taking medication, problem‐solving, healthy coping, and reducing risks (American Association of Diabetes Educators, ).…”

Community-level socioeconomic inequality in the incidence of ischemic heart disease: a nationwide cohort study

“…In fact, some studies have proposed that risk factors for non-communicable diseases, such as IHD, are more likely to be identified at lower SES levels and should, therefore, be controlled at the local level in order to reduce these risk factors [23,24].…”

Community-level socioeconomic inequality in the incidence of ischemic heart disease: a nationwide cohort study

“…Based on the results of this study, it is expected that the incidence of IHD will be lowered through community-level interventions such as promoting the use of educational materials on IHD or expanding smoking cessation areas. In fact, some studies have proposed that risk factors for non-communicable diseases, such as IHD, are more likely to be identified at lower SES levels and should, therefore, be controlled at the local level in order to reduce these risk factors [23,24].…”