Understanding perceptions of neighborhood health and non-communicable disease risk in urban contexts in Ghana

Konkor, Irenius; Kuuire, Vincent Z.; Bisung, Elijah

doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115574

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…In both studies, the authors noted population growth and migration, colonization, urbanization, industrialization, commercialization, and globalization as key drivers of Ghana's epidemiologic transitions. Unfortunately, however, the increase in NCDs was solely attributed to lifestyle changes linked to socio-economic development of the country despite the obvious contributions of environmental conditions to the growing burden of NCDs in Ghana [10].…”

Section: Epidemiologic Transition In Ghanamentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiologic transition and the double burden of disease in Ghana: What do we know at the neighborhood level?

Konkor

Kuuire

2023

PLoS ONE

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Many developing countries including Ghana are currently experiencing dual disease burdens emerging from an unprecedented risk overlap that drive their epidemiological transitions. Yet, siloed and disintegrated approaches continue to take precedence in health research and policy programs that drive competition for limited resources to address competing health problems. The objective of this study was to offer empirical evidence in support of a cogent argument for an integrated framework for the study and management of infectious and chronic health conditions in Ghana. We did so by examining the prevalence, determinants, and neighborhoods trajectories of the double burden of disease using data from a cross-sectional neighborhood-based study in Ghana. We fitted multinomial multilevel multivariate models to a sample of 1377 individual surveys and the results presented as odds ratios. Findings show that amidst a rising burden of NCDs, infectious diseases remain the most common health condition and participants in deprived neighborhoods were significantly more likely to report poor health outcomes. Risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol consumption were significantly associated with NCDs and infectious diseases and respondents who reported being diagnosed with NCDs and infectious diseases in the past year were likely to engage in leisure time physical activities and eat healthy. Based on our findings, we recommend health reforms in Ghana and argue for the design and implementation of an integrated framework for the study and management of the double burden of disease in Ghana and similar developing country settings.

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Section: Epidemiologic Transition In Ghanamentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiologic transition and the double burden of disease in Ghana: What do we know at the neighborhood level?

Konkor

Kuuire

2023

PLoS ONE

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“…Moreover, tobacco use, unhealthy diets, the consumption of food with a high saturated fat content, and a lack of exercise are also factors affecting the onset of NCDs or can be the main cause of NCD development [ 2 , 3 ]. Alcohol consumption is also a major factor affecting the development of NCDs almost everywhere, and it also worsens the conditions of people who already have them [ 4 ]. Natural products have played a significant role in the pharmacological and medicinal fields due to the natural components they contain [ 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Therapeutic Potential of Pectin and Its Derivatives in Chronic Diseases

Dambuza,

Rungqu,

Oyedeji

et al. 2024

Molecules

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Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are described as a collection of chronic diseases that do not typically develop from an acute infection, have long-term health effects, and frequently require ongoing care and therapy. These diseases include heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic lung disease, neurological diseases, osteoporosis, mental health disorders, etc. Known synthetic drugs for the treatment or prevention of NCDs become increasingly dangerous over time and pose high risks due to side effects such as hallucination, heart attack, liver failure, etc. As a result, scientists have had to look for other alternatives that are natural products and that are known to be less detrimental and contain useful bioactive compounds. The increasing understanding of the biological and pharmacological significance of carbohydrates has helped to raise awareness of their importance in living systems and medicine, given they play numerous biological roles. For example, pectin has been identified as a class of secondary metabolites found in medicinal plants that may play a significant role in the treatment and management of a variety of NCDs. Pectin is mainly made of homogalacturonan, which is a linear polymer composed primarily of D-galacturonic acid units (at least 65%) linked in a chain by α-(1,4)-glycosidic linkages. There are also modified pectins or derivatives that improve pectin’s bioavailability. Pectin is found in the cell walls of higher plants (pteridophytes, angiosperms, and gymnosperms), particularly in the middle lamella of the plant material. Citrus pectin is used in various industries. This article compiles information that has been available for years about the therapeutic importance of pectin in chronic diseases, different modes of pectin extraction, the chemistry of pectin, and the potency of pectin and its derivatives.

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“…Unlike Africa which is dealing with a dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, the developed world is only dealing with noncommunicable diseases (Boutayeb, 2006;Konkor, 2023). The main factors contributing to the high prevalence and burden of communicable diseases (also called infectious diseases) in Africa are poverty, and poor sanitary and hygiene conditions (Alsan et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lymphatic Filariasis in Africa: A Mini Review

Shinkafi¹,

Dahiru²

2021

KJHS

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Lymphatic filariasis is a neglected parasitic helminth or zoonotic nematode infection that constitutes a public health problem, particularly in the tropical region. People who live in tropical regions in remote rural villages near rivers and streams are mostly affected by filariasis. The vector of filariasis is the mosquito. It transmits the worm it took from the blood of an infected person to another person. The nematode act by suppressing the immune system of the host. Despite the efforts to eliminate lymphatic filariasis targeted in 2020, the disease still affects the majority of tropical countries. There have been a lot of efforts to eliminate lymphatic filariasis however the effort is not enough as there are increasing cases of the disease. Only a few countries from the African region like Togo were able to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. Mass Drug Administration apart from the use of mosquito nets or wearing globes is an effective control measure to eliminate the debilitating zoonotic disease. Because of the morbidity associated with the disease, there is a need to eliminate it.

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Understanding perceptions of neighborhood health and non-communicable disease risk in urban contexts in Ghana

Cited by 3 publications

References 44 publications

Epidemiologic transition and the double burden of disease in Ghana: What do we know at the neighborhood level?

Epidemiologic transition and the double burden of disease in Ghana: What do we know at the neighborhood level?

Therapeutic Potential of Pectin and Its Derivatives in Chronic Diseases

Lymphatic Filariasis in Africa: A Mini Review

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