Browsing by Author "Mapendo, Frank"

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    The Continued Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Education and Mental Health Among Sub-Saharan African Adolescents
    (Elsevier, 2022) Wang, Dongqing; Adedokun, Olufemi A; Millogo, Ourohiré; Madzorera, Isabel; Hemler, Elena C; Workneh, Firehiwot; Mapendo, Frank; Lankoandev, Bruno; Ismail, Abbas; Chukwu, Angela; Assefa, Nega; Watara, Sulemana; Lyatuu, Isaac; Okpara, Daniel; Abdullahi, Yasir Y; Zabre, Pascal; Vuai, Said; Soura, Abdramane Bassiahi
    This multicountry survey assessed the levels and the determinants of the impacts of the pandemic on education and mental health among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa and the potential factors that may exacerbate these adverse impacts. A phone survey was conducted among adolescents in nine diverse areas in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania between July and December 2021. Approximately 300 adolescents per area and 2,803 adolescents in total were included. The survey collected information on adolescents’ sociodemographic characteristics, current COVID-19 preventive measures, and the impacts of the pandemic on daily activities, education, and mental health. Log-binomial models were used to calculate the adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) for determinants of education and mental health outcomes. Overall, 17% of the adolescents were not receiving any education. Compared to boys, girls were 15% more likely than boys to lack fully in-person education (aPR: 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02, 1.30). Rural residence was associated with 2.7 times the prevalence of not currently receiving any education (aPR: 2.68; 95% CI: 2.23, 3.22). Self-reported experience of the current impacts of the pandemic on daily activities was associated with a higher prevalence of possible psychological distress (aPR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.55, 2.24), high anxiety level (aPR: 3.37; 95% CI: 2.25, 5.06), and high depression level (aPR: 3.01; 95% CI: 2.05, 4.41). The COVID-19 pandemic presents continued challenges to adolescents’ education and mental health. Multisectoral efforts are needed to ensure that adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa do not fall further behind due to the pandemic
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    Covid-19 preventive practices, psychological distress, and reported barriers to healthcare access during the pandemic among adult community members in sub-Saharan Africa: a phone survey
    (American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2022) Assefa, Nega; Abdullahi, Yasir Y.; Hemler, Elena C.; Lankoande, Bruno; Madzorera, Isabel; Wang, Dongqing; Ismail, Abbas; Chukwu, Angela; Workneh, Firehiwot; Mapendo, Frank; Millogo, Ourohire; Abubakari, Sulemana Watara; Febir, Lawrence Gyabaa; Lyatuu, Isaac; Dianou, Kassoum; Baernighausen, Till; Soura, Abdramane; Asante, Kwaku Poku; Smith, Emily; Vuai, Said; Worku, Alemayehu; Killewo, Japhet; Mwanyika-Sando, Mary; Berhane, Yemane; Sie, Ali; Tajudeen, Raji; Oduola, Ayo; Fawzi, Wafaie W.
    The COVID-19 pandemic has had serious negative health and economic impacts in sub-Saharan Africa. Continuous monitoring of these impacts is crucial to formulate interventions to minimize the consequences of COVID-19. This study surveyed 2,829 adults in urban and rural sites among five sub-Saharan African countries: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Ghana. Participants completed a mobile phone survey that assessed self-reported sociodemographic, COVID-19 preventive practices, psychological distress, and barriers to healthcare access. A modified Poisson regression model was used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% CIs to investigate potential factors related to psychological distress and barriers to reduced healthcare access. At least 15.6% of adults reported experiencing any psychological distress in the previous 2 weeks, and 10.5% reported that at least one essential healthcare service was difficult to access 2 years into the pandemic. The majority of participants reported using several COVID-19 preventive methods, with varying proportions across the sites. Participants in the urban site of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (aPR: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.74–3.03) and in the rural site of Kintampo, Ghana (aPR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.21–2.34) had a higher likelihood of experiencing any psychological distress compared with those in the rural area of Nouna, Burkina Faso. Loss of employment due to COVID-19 (aPR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.47–2.11) was also associated with an increased prevalence of psychological distress. The number of children under 5 years in the household (aPR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.14–1.33) and participant self-reported psychological distress (aPR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.48–2.27) were associated with an increased prevalence of reporting barriers to accessing health services, whereas wage employment (aPR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.49–0.90) was associated with decreased prevalence of reporting barriers to accessing health services. Overall, we found a high prevalence of psychological distress and interruptions in access to healthcare services 2 years into the pandemic across five sub-Saharan African countries. Increased effort and attention should be given to addressing the negative impacts of COVID-19 on psychological distress. An equitable and collaborative approach to new and existing preventive measures for COVID-19 is crucial to limit the consequences of COVID-19 on the health of adults in sub-Saharan Africa.
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    COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and its determinants among Sub-Saharan African adolescents
    (PLOS, 2022) Wang, Dongqing; Chukwu, Angela; Mwanyika-Sando, Mary; Abubakar, Sulemana Watara; Assef, Nega; Madzorera, Isabel; Hemler, Elena C.; Ismai, Abbas; Lankoande, Bruno; Mapendo, Frank; Millogo, Ourohire´; Workneh, Firehiwot; Azemraw, Temesgen; Febir, Lawrence Gyabaa; James, Christabel; Tinkasimile, Amani; Asant, Kwaku Poku; Baernighausen, Till; Berhane, Yemane; Killewo, Japhet; Oduola, Ayoade M. J.; Sie, Ali; Smith, Emily R.; Soura, Abdramane Bassiahi; Raj, Tajudeen; Vuai, Said; Fawzi, Wafaie W.
    COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among adolescents poses a challenge to the global effort to control the pandemic. This multi-country survey aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa between July and December 2021. The survey was conducted using computer-assisted telephone interviewing among adolescents in five sub-Saharan African countries, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania. A rural area and an urban area were included in each country (except Ghana, which only had a rural area), with approximately 300 adolescents in each area and 2662 in total. Sociodemographic characteristics and perceptions and attitudes on COVID-19 vaccines were measured. Vaccine hesitancy was defined as definitely not getting vaccinated or being undecided on whether to get vaccinated if a COVID-19 vaccine were available. Log-binomial models were used to calculate the adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between potential determinants and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The percentage of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was 14% in rural Kersa, 23% in rural Ibadan, 31% in rural Nouna, 32% in urban Ouagadougou, 37% in urban Addis Ababa, 48% in rural Kintampo, 65% in urban Lagos, 76% in urban Dar es Salaam, and 88% in rural Dodoma. Perceived low necessity, concerns about vaccine safety, and concerns about vaccine effectiveness were the leading reasons for hesitancy. Healthcare workers, parents or family members, and schoolteachers had the greatest impacts on vaccine willingness. Perceived lack of safety (aPR: 3.52; 95% CI: 3.00, 4.13) and lack of effectiveness (aPR: 3.46; 95% CI: 2.97, 4.03) were associated with greater vaccine hesitancy. The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among adolescents is alarmingly high across the five sub-Saharan African countries, especially in Tanzania. COVID-19 vaccination campaigns among sub-Saharan African adolescents should address their concerns and misconceptions about vaccine safety and effectiveness.
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    Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine readiness and hesitancy among adults in sub-Saharan Africa
    (PLOS Global Public Healt, 2023) Abubakari, Sulemana Watara; Workneh, Firehiwot; Asante, Kwaku Poku; Hemler, Elena C.; Madzorera, Isabel; Wang, Dongqing; Ismai, Abbas; Nega Assefa; Azemraw, Temesgen; Lankoande, Bruno; Nuhu, Abdul Razak; Chukwu, Angela; Mapendo, Frank; Millogo, Ourohiré; Olufemi, Adedokun A.; Okpara, Daniel; Boudo, Valentin; Mwanyika-Sando, Mary; Berhane, Yemane; Baernighause, Till; Oduola, Ayoade; Vuai, Said; Sie, Ali; Soura, Abdramane; Killewo, Japhet; Tajudeen, Raji; Fawz, Wafaie W.; Smith, Emily R.
    There is very limited data on the extent and determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among adults living in sub-Saharan Africa since the global roll-out of vaccines began in 2021. This multi-country survey sought to investigate COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and other predictors of readiness to get vaccinated. We conducted surveys among adults residing in nine urban and rural areas in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania in late 2021. Log binomial regression models were used to identify prevalence and factors associated with vaccine hesitancy and beliefs around COVID-19 misinformation. We completed a total of 2,833 interviews. Among all respondents, 9% had never heard of a COVID-19 vaccine, 12% had been vaccinated, and 20% knew someone else who had been vaccinated. The prevalence of vaccine hesitancy varied by country (Ethiopia 29%, Burkina Faso 33%, Nigeria 34%, Ghana 42%, Tanzania 65%), but not by rural or urban context. People who did not think the vaccine was safe or effective, or who were unsure about it, were more likely to be vaccine hesitant. Those who reported they did not have a trusted source of information about the vaccine (aPR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.18,1.31) and those who thought the vaccine would not be made available to them within the year were more likely to be vaccine hesitant. Women were more likely to be vaccine hesitant (aPR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.19,1.43) and believe COVID-19 falsehoods (aPR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02,1.08). The most commonly believed falsehoods were that the vaccine was developed too fast and that there was not enough information about whether the vaccine was effective or not. Educational campaigns targeted at misinformation and tailored to suit each country are recommended to build trust in COVID-19 vaccines and reduce hesitancy.
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    The COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on diet quality and food prices in sub-Saharan Africa
    (Public Library of Science (PLOS), 2023) Ismail, Abbas; Madzorera, Isabel; Apraku, Edward A.; Tinkasimile, Amani; Dasmane, Dielbeogo; Zabre, Pascal; Ourohire, Millogo; Assefa, Nega; Chukwu,Angela; Workneh, Firehiwot; Mapendo, Frank; Lankoande, Bruno; Hemler, Elena; Wang, Dongqing; Abubakari, Sulemana W.; Asante, Kwaku P.; Baernighausen, Till; Killewo, Japhet; Oduola, Ayoade; Sie, Ali; Soura, Abdramane; Vua, Said; Smith, Emily; Berhane, Yemane; Fawz, Wafaie W.
    Background Sub-Saharan Africa faces prolonged COVID-19 related impacts on economic activity, livelihoods and nutrition, with recovery slowed down by lagging vaccination progress. Objective This study investigated the economic impacts of COVID-19 on food prices, consumption and dietary quality in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania. Methods We conducted a repeated cross-sectional study using a mobile platform to collect data from July-December, 2021 (round 2). We assessed participants’ dietary intake of 20 food groups over the previous seven days and computed the primary outcome, the Prime Diet Quality Score (PDQS), and Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), with higher scores indicating better quality diets. We used generalized estimating equation (GEE) linear regression models to assess factors associated with diet quality during COVID-19. Results Most of the respondents were male and the mean age was 42.4 (±12.5) years. Mean PDQS (±SD) was low at 19.4(±3.8), out of a maximum score of 40 in this study. Respondents (80%) reported higher than expected prices for all food groups. Secondary education or higher (estimate: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.32, 1.15), medium wealth status (estimate: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.81), and older age were associated with higher PDQS. Farmers and casual laborers (estimate: -0.60, 95% CI: -1.11, -0.09), lower crop production (estimate: -0.87, 95% CI: -1.28, -0.46) and not engaged in farming (estimate: -1.38, 95% CI: -1.74, -1.02) were associated with lower PDQS. Conclusion Higher food prices and lower diet quality persisted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Economic and social vulnerability and reliance on markets (and lower agriculture production) were negatively associated with diet quality. Although recovery was evident, consumption of healthy diets remained low. Systematic efforts to address the underlying causes of poor diet quality through transforming food system value chains, and mitigation measures, including social protection programs and national policies are critical.
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    The COVID-19 pandemic and its prolonged impacts on food prices, food consumption and diet quality in sub-Saharan Africa
    (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 2022) Ismail, Abbas; Madzorera, Isabel; Apraku, Edward A.; Tinkasimile, Amani; Dasmane, Dielbeogo; Zabre, Pascal; Ourohire, Millogo; Assefa, Nega; Chukwu, Angela; Workneh, Firehiwot; Mapendo, Frank; Lankoande, Bruno; Hemler, Elena; Wang, Dongqing; Abubakari, Sulemana W.; Asante, Kwaku P.; Baernighausen, Till; Killewo, Japhet; Oduola, Ayoade; Sie, Ali; Soura, Abdramane; Vuai, Said; Smith, Emily; Berhane, Yemane; Fawzi, Wafaie W.
    Background Sub-Saharan Africa faces prolonged COVID-19 related impacts on economic activity, livelihoods, nutrition, and food security, with recovery slowed down by lagging vaccination progress. Objective This study investigated the economic impacts of COVID-19 on food prices, consumption and dietary quality in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania. Methods We conducted a repeated cross-sectional study and used a mobile platform to collect data. Data collected from round 1 (July-November, 2020) and round 2 (July-December, 2021) were considered. We assessed participants’ dietary intake of 20 food groups over the previous seven days. The study’s primary outcome was the Prime Diet Quality Score (PDQS), with higher scores indicating better dietary quality. We used linear regression and generalized estimating equations to assess factors associated with diet quality during COVID-19. Results Most of the respondents were male and the mean age (±SD) was 42.4 (±12.5) years. Mean PDQS (±SD) was low at 19.1 (±3.8) before COVID-19, 18.6(±3.4) in Round 1, and 19.4(±3.8) in Round 2. A majority of respondents (80%) reported higher than expected prices for all food groups during the pandemic. Secondary education or higher (estimate: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.32, 1.15), older age (estimate: 30-39 years: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.35, 1.19, or 40 years or older: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.30, 1.13), and medium wealth status (estimate: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.81) were associated with higher PDQS. Farmers and casual laborers (estimate: -0.60, 95% CI: -1.11, - 0.09), lower crop production (estimate: -0.87, 95% CI: -1.28, -0.46) and not engaged in farming (estimate: -1.38, 95% CI: -1.74, -1.02) associated with lower PDQS. Conclusion Diet quality which had declined early in the pandemic had started to improve. However, consumption of healthy diets remained low, and food prices remained high. Efforts should continue to improve diet quality for sustained nutrition recovery through mitigation measures, including social protection.