African 'hotspot' for highly infectious diseases

Date:
February 25, 2022
Source:
Curtin University
Summary:
A regional corner of Africa is a hotspot for cases of HIV,
tuberculosis and malaria, prompting researchers to call for targeted
health support rather than a national response.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
A regional corner of Africa is a hotspot for cases of HIV, tuberculosis
and malaria, prompting researchers to call for targeted health support
rather than a national response.


==========================================================================
The new research, published today in BMJ Global Health, found a high
prevalence of all three infectious diseases in the Gambela region,
a regional centre located in western Ethiopia that borders South Sudan.

Lead author Dr Kefyalew Alene, from the Curtin School of Population
Health and the Telethon Kids Institute, said it was concerning to find
one region reporting large numbers of all three diseases.

"Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis and malaria are the
three most serious infectious diseases in the world, causing high
morbidity and mortality rates especially in low and middle-income
countries," Dr Alene said.

"This study identified that the Ethiopian region of Gambela, which is
home to more than 330,000 people, was a hotspot for high cases of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. The high prevalence of HIV, tuberculosis and
malaria in this region may be due to inadequate case management and
weaker health systems along the border." The study found the Gambela
region was characterised by low healthcare access, low socioeconomic
index, and high temperatures and rainfall.

Dr Alene said the study suggested the need for more targeted health
services to deal with the spate of cases concentrated to one part
of Africa.

"This highlights that targeting health services at a local level would
be more effective than a nation-wide service response," Dr Alene said.

"These findings can guide policymakers in Ethiopia to design
geographically targeted and integrated disease control programs to
achieve maximum impact in addressing the high prevalence of cases."
The research was co-authored by other experts from Curtin and the
Telethon Kids Institute, as well as Ethiopia's University of Gondar and
the National TB Control Program.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Curtin_University. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Kefyalew Addis Alene, Ahmed Elagali, Dylan D Barth, Susan F Rumisha,
Punam Amratia, Daniel J Weiss, Kendalem Asmare Atalell, Andargachew
Kumsa Erena, Peter W Gething, Archie C A Clements. Spatial
codistribution of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria in Ethiopia. BMJ
Global Health, 2022; 7 (2): e007599 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-007599 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220225085901.htm

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