Contribution of noncommunicable diseases to medical admissions of elderly adults in Africa: A prospective, Cross-Sectional study in Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania

Rufus O. Akinyemi, Isameldin M.H. Izzeldin, Catherine Dotchin, William K. Gray, Olaleye Adeniji, Osheik A. Seidi, Josephine J. Mwakisambwe, Carl J. Mhina, Florence Mutesi, Helen Z. Msechu, Kien A. Mteta, Mayada A.M. Ahmed, Shahd H.M. Hamid, Nazik A.A. Abuelgasim, Sumia A.A. Mohamed, Ashraf Y.O. Mohamed, Fidelis Adesina, Mohammed Hamzat, Taiwo Olunuga, Venance P. MaroRichard Walker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives To describe the nature of geriatric medical admissions to teaching hospitals in three countries in Africa (Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania) and compare them with data from the United Kingdom. Design Cross-sectional cohort study. Setting Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Nigeria; Soba University Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan; Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania; and North Tyneside General Hospital, North Shields, United Kingdom. Participants All people aged 60 and older urgently medically admitted from March 1 to August 31, 2012. Measurements Data were collected regarding age, sex, date of admission, length of stay, diagnoses, medication, date of discharge or death, and discharge destination. Results In Africa, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) accounted for 81.0% (n = 708) of admissions (n = 874), and tuberculosis, malaria, and the human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome accounted for 4.6% (n = 40). Cerebrovascular accident (n = 224, 25.6%) was the most common reason for admission, followed by cardiac or circulatory dysfunction (n = 150, 17.2%). Rates of hypertension were remarkably similar in the United Kingdom (45.8%) and Africa (40.2%). Conclusions In the elderly population, the predicted increased burden of NCDs on health services in Africa appears to have occurred. Greater awareness and some reallocation of resources toward NCDs may be required if the burden of such diseases is to be reduced.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1460-1466
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society
Volume62
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2014

Keywords

  • Africa
  • elderly
  • geriatric
  • hospital admissions
  • low-income countries
  • noncommunicable disease

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Contribution of noncommunicable diseases to medical admissions of elderly adults in Africa: A prospective, Cross-Sectional study in Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this