Disease Burden in Africa

This book evaluates African healthcare systems from multiple perspectives. By examining empirical data from various African countries, it analyzes the effects of socioeconomic factors such as urbanization, population growth, and education on various health indicators, including the situation of health professionals, patients's decision making, health resource distribution, mortality rates, and the burden of disease. Furthermore, topics such as the use of social media in healthcare and insurance policy in Africa are addressed. This book appeals to scholars and professionals interested in healthcare in Africa.

Antimicrobial resistance is recognised among the world’s most challenging problems. Despite its global spread, Africa, specifically sub-Saharan Africa, is the most affected by this malaise. Poor living conditions and inadequate access to sanitation and potable water supplies are among contributing factors that have influenced a high disease burden on the continent, requiring extensive antimicrobials. Weak health systems and the absence of firm policies further aggravate the problem, as the use of antimicrobials is mostly unregulated. The increasing demand for animal protein to meet the starving populations’ demands has also influenced the use of these antimicrobials, including those banned on other continents, for food animal production. The ripple effect of indiscriminate use in humans and animals is the massive discharge of antimicrobials, their residues, antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms and their associated genes into the environment.

This book examines the effects of poverty, COVID-19, and other social factors on the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, reproductive health, and diabetes in rural South Africa.

This volume is the study of healthcare systems in rural settings. Chapters include case studies and research in the field of rural health.

By Vasuthevan, S ; Mthembu, S

This fully updated and expanded second edition provides an overview of the major neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, such as leishmaniasis, buruli ulcer, schistosomiasis and many more. The well-structured chapters explore in detail the epidemiology and biology of these parasitic diseases. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches as well as prevention strategies are also reviewed. Furthermore, the book discusses the burden of disease in sub-Saharan Africa, taking into account the social and economic impact on the region and its health system.

This fully updated and expanded second edition provides an overview of the major neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, such as leishmaniasis, buruli ulcer, schistosomiasis and many more. The well-structured chapters explore in detail the epidemiology and biology of these parasitic diseases. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches as well as prevention strategies are also reviewed. Furthermore, the book discusses the burden of disease in sub-Saharan Africa, taking into account the social and economic impact on the region and its health system.