Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/129175
Title: A comparative systematic review of risk factors, prevalence, and challenges contributing to non‑communicable diseases in South Asia, Africa, and Caribbeans
Authors: Bhuiyan, Miraj Ahmed
Galdes, Nicole
Cuschieri, Sarah
Hu, Ping
Keywords: Chronic diseases -- Developing countries
Chronic diseases -- South Asia
Chronic diseases -- Africa
Chronic diseases -- Caribbean Area
Health services accessibility -- Developing countries
Issue Date: 2024
Publisher: BioMed Central Ltd.
Citation: Bhuiyan, M. A., Galdes, N., Cuschieri, S., & Hu, P. (2024). A comparative systematic review of risk factors, prevalence, and challenges contributing to non-communicable diseases in South Asia, Africa, and Caribbeans. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 43(1), 140.
Abstract: Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a global epidemic challenging global public health authorities while imposing a heavy burden on healthcare systems and economies.
Aim: To explore and compare the prevalence of NCDs in South Asia, the Caribbean, and non-sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to identify both commonalities and differences contributing to the NCD epidemic in these areas while investigating potential recommendations addressing the NCD epidemic.
Method: A comprehensive search of relevant literature was carried out to identify and appraise published articles systematically using the Cochrane Library, Ovid, Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Science search engines between 2010 and 2023. A total of 50 articles fell within the inclusion criteria.
Results: Numerous geographical variables, such as lifestyle factors, socio-economic issues, social awareness, and the calibre of the local healthcare system, influence both the prevalence and treatment of NCDs. The NCDs contributors in the Caribbean include physical inactivity, poor fruit and vegetable intake, a sedentary lifestyle, and smoking, among others. While for South Asia, these were: insufficient societal awareness of NCDs, poverty, urbanization, industrialization, and inadequate regulation implementation in South Asia. Malnutrition, inactivity, alcohol misuse, lack of medical care, and low budgets are responsible for increasing NCD cases in Africa.
Conclusion: Premature mortality from NCDs can be avoided using efficient treatments that reduce risk factor exposure for individuals and populations. Proper planning, implementation, monitoring, training, and research on risk factors and challenges of NCDs would significantly combat the situation in these regions.
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/129175
Appears in Collections:Scholarly Works - FacM&SAna



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