Preventing Multimorbidity with Lifestyle Interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa: A New Challenge for Public Health in Low and Middle-Income Countries

Ahmad Alkhatib, Lawrence Achilles Nnyanzi, Brian Mujuni, Geofrey Amanya and Charles Ibingira
Additional contact information
Ahmad Alkhatib: School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University Tees Valley, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UK
Lawrence Achilles Nnyanzi: School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University Tees Valley, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UK
Brian Mujuni: College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 7072, Uganda
Geofrey Amanya: Ministry of Health, 6 Lourdel Road, Nakasero, Kampala P.O. Box 7272, Uganda
Charles Ibingira: College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 7072, Uganda

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 23, 1-14

Abstract: Objectives: Low and Middle-Income Countries are experiencing a fast-paced epidemiological rise in clusters of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, forming an imminent rise in multimorbidity. However, preventing multimorbidity has received little attention in LMICs, especially in Sub-Saharan African Countries. Methods: Narrative review which scoped the most recent evidence in LMICs about multimorbidity determinants and appropriated them for potential multimorbidity prevention strategies. Results: MMD in LMICs is affected by several determinants including increased age, female sex, environment, lower socio-economic status, obesity, and lifestyle behaviours, especially poor nutrition, and physical inactivity. Multimorbidity public health interventions in LMICs, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa are currently impeded by local and regional economic disparity, underdeveloped healthcare systems, and concurrent prevalence of communicable and non-communicable diseases. However, lifestyle interventions that are targeted towards preventing highly prevalent multimorbidity clusters, especially hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, can provide early prevention of multimorbidity, especially within Sub-Saharan African countries with emerging economies and socio-economic disparity. Conclusion: Future public health initiatives should consider targeted lifestyle interventions and appropriate policies and guidelines in preventing multimorbidity in LMICs.

Keywords: multimorbidity; non-communicable diseases; lifestyle prevention; public health; low and middle-income countries (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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