Asthma is one of the neglected diseases in Africa with a high prevalence. Allergic fungal diseases have been reported to complicate asthma progression and treatment outcomes. However, data about fungal asthma and its associated complications are limited in Africa. We aimed to estimate the burden of ...fungal asthma among adults and children in Africa using a systematic review.
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Data on asthma aetiology in Africa are scarce. We investigated the risk factors for asthma among schoolchildren (5–17 years) in urban Uganda. We conducted a case-control study, among 555 cases and 1115 controls. Asthma was diagnosed by study clinicians. The main risk factors for asthma were tertia...ry education for fathers (adjusted OR (95% CI); 2.32 (1.71–3.16)) and mothers (1.85 (1.38–2.48)); area of residence at birth, with children born in a small town or in the city having an increased asthma risk compared to schoolchildren born in rural areas (2.16 (1.60–2.92)) and (2.79 (1.79–4.35)), respectively; father’s and mother’s history of asthma; children’s own allergic conditions; atopy; and cooking on gas/electricity. In conclusion, asthma was associated with a strong rural-town-city risk gradient, higher parental socio-economic status and urbanicity. This work provides the basis for future studies to identify specific environmental/lifestyle factors responsible for increasing asthma risk among children in urban areas in LMICs.
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The global prevalence, morbidity and mortality related to childhood asthma among children has increased significantly over the last 40 years. Although asthma is recognized as the most common chronic disease in children, issues of underdiagnosis and undertreatment persist. There are substantial globa...l variations in the prevalence of asthma symptoms in children, with up to 13-fold differences between countries. The rising number of hospital admissions for asthma may reflect an increase in asthma severity, poor disease management and/or the effect of poverty. The financial burden of asthma is relatively high within developed countries (those for which data is available) spending 1 to 2% of their healthcare budget on this condition. Established in 1989, the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) attempts to raise awareness about the increasing prevalence of asthma, improve management and reduce the burden of asthma worldwide. Despite global efforts, GINA has not achieved its goal, even among developed nations. There are multiple barriers to reducing the global burden of asthma, including limited access to care and/or medications, and lack of prioritization as a public healthcare priority. In addition, the diversity of healthcare systems worldwide and large differences in access to care require that asthma management guidelines be tailored to local needs.
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The article "Asthma treatment in children: A guide to screening for and management of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression" discusses the risks associated with the use of corticosteroids in pediatric asthma treatment. It highlights that prolonged corticosteroid use can suppress the hypoth...alamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, potentially leading to adrenal insufficiency, especially during stress. The article reviews diagnostic and screening approaches, recommending specific tests and management strategies based on current evidence. It emphasizes the need for monitoring children on corticosteroids to mitigate the risk of serious complications and suggests modifications in treatment to prevent HPA axis suppression.
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This manual is designed to provide comprehensive malaria case management training for health workers at all levels, including clinical, nursing, dispensing, laboratory and records staff. The training covers the use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and the treatment of severe malaria. The fiv...e-day training programme includes interactive modules supported by job aids. The ideal group size is 20–30 participants, supported by a team of three trainers. Trainers should thoroughly review the manual, including the 'Adult Learning Techniques' module, and follow the 'Facilitator's Guide', while participants should use the 'Simplified Participant's Guide'. The training includes pre- and post-tests to assess knowledge improvement. Continuing Medical Education (CME) is encouraged after the training, and resources are provided in the appendix.
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This comic booklet introduces malaria and the mosquitoes that carry it in Africa. Through simple explanations and illustrations, it teaches readers about the habitats of mosquitoes, the species that transmit malaria and how ongoing research may lead to new ways of controlling them in the future. The... booklet is designed to help communities better understand malaria and support efforts to combat it.
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This document by Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) highlights the significant burden of malaria on children worldwide, emphasizing the need for effective prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. It reviews current challenges and progress in combating pediatric malaria, advocating for conti...nued research and investment to reduce malaria-related morbidity and mortality in children, especially in high-burden regions.
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The Malaria Prevention Campaign, launched in Oromia Region of Ethiopia recognized communities for taking specific actions to combat malaria. The focus of the campaign was around small, doable actions that families carry out to protect themselves against malaria. The community volunteers under direct...ion from the Community Mobilization Committee (CMC) energized and supported their communities, families, and schools to take the actions necessary to prevent malaria.
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Asthma is a heterogeneous condition characterised by chronic inflammation and variable expiratory airflow limitation, as well as airway reversibility. The diagnosis of asthma in young children is limited by the inability to perform objective lung function testing in this group of patients and the wi...de variety of conditions that can phenotypically present with asthma-like symptoms.
This article provides an evidence-based approach for clinicians to accurately diagnose asthma in young children and to assess the level of control to guide therapeutic decisions.
The South African Childhood Asthma Working Group (SACAWG) convened in January 2017 with task groups, each headed by a section leader, constituting the editorial committee on assessment of asthma epidemiology, diagnosis, control, treatments, novel treatments and self-management plans. The asthma diagnosis and control task groups reviewed the available scientific literature and assigned evidence according to the Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system, providing recommendations based on current evidence.
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Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children, imposing a consistent burden on health system. In recent years, prevalence of asthma symptoms became globally increased in children and adolescents, particularly in Low-Middle Income Countries (LMICs). Host (genetics, atopy) and environmental fa...ctors (microbial exposure, exposure to passive smoking and air pollution), seemed to contribute to this trend. The increased prevalence observed in metropolitan areas with respect to rural ones and, overall, in industrialized countries, highlighted the role of air pollution in asthma inception. Asthma accounts for 1.1% of the overall global estimate of “Disability-adjusted life years” (DALYs)/100,000 for all causes. Mortality in children is low and it decreased across Europe over recent years. Children from LMICs particularly suffer a disproportionately higher burden in terms of morbidity and mortality. Global asthma-related costs are high and are usually are classified into direct, indirect and intangible costs. Direct costs account for 50–80% of the total costs. Asthma is one of the main causes of hospitalization which are particularly common in children aged < 5 years with a prevalence that has been increased during the last two decades, mostly in LMICs. Indirect costs are usually higher than in older patients, including both school and work-related losses. Intangible costs are unquantifiable, since they are related to impairment of quality of life, limitation of physical activities and study performance. The implementation of strategies aimed at early detect asthma thus providing access to the proper treatment has been shown to effectively reduce the burden of the disease.
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Asthma is the most common chronic condition in children worldwide. It affects daytime activities, sleep and school attendance and causes anxiety to parents, families and other carers. The quality of asthma diagnosis and management globally still needs substantial improvement. From infancy to the tee...nage years, there are age-specific challenges, including both underdiagnosis and overdiagnosis with stigma-related barriers to treatment in some cultures and in adolescents. The Paediatric Asthma Project Plan has been initiated to strengthen diagnosis and management of asthma. This encompasses a vision for the next 10–15 years, building on the knowledge and experience from previous educational projects. It will take into account the educational needs of patients, carers and healthcare professionals as well as the accessibility and affordability of medication, particularly in low and middle-income countries where the prevalence of asthma is rising more rapidly. This overview presents a first step for those involved in the diagnosis and management of childhood asthma to strengthen care for children globally.
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BACKGROUND. Asthma is a heterogeneous condition characterised by chronic inflammation and variable expiratory airflow limitation, as well as airway reversibility. The burden of asthma in children is increasing in low- and middle-income countries and remains under-recognised and poorly managed.
OBJE...CTIVES. To quantify the burden of asthma in the South African (SA) population and identify the risk factors associated with disease severity in the local context.
METHODS. The SA Childhood Asthma Working Group (SACAWG) convened in January 2017 with task groups, each headed by a section leader, constituting the editorial committee on assessment of asthma epidemiology, diagnosis, control, treatments, novel treatments and self-management plans. The epidemiology task group reviewed the available scientific literature and assigned evidence according to the Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system.
CONCLUSIONS. Asthma in children remains a common condition, which has shown an increasing prevalence in urban and rural populations of SA. Of concern is that almost half of children in urban communities experience severe asthma symptoms, and many asthmatics lack a formal diagnosis and thus access to treatment. Exposure to tobacco smoke and living in highly polluted areas increase the severity of wheezing in young children.
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This document defines the framework for Malawi’s National HIV Programs. Considering public health benefits and risks, as well as funding and resource implications, deviations from these guidelines are not supported by the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture (MoEAC) has been implementing the Integrated School Health Programme in various forms since before the country attained political independence in 1990. School health goes beyond the physical health of the learner, in that it includes the holistic wellbeing... of the individual learner, meaning that the school environment should be safe and conducive to learning. The National Safe Schools Framework (NSSF) is an exciting dimension of the Integrated School Health Programme. The Programme focuses on promoting the health, safety and wellbeing of learners and other school stakeholders in Namibia, and the NSSF was developed to provide practical guidance to the schools and school stakeholders on how to systematically improve the standards of school safety, and how to develop a culture of care in any school.
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This document sets out key messages to support malaria prevention and control efforts, for teachers, pupils and the wider community. It is designed to facilitate health education in schools by encouraging teachers to guide pupils through the core messages about malaria and emphasise the most importa...nt points. Pupils are expected to actively engage by taking notes and applying what they learn. Ultimately, the goal is to equip children with the practical knowledge to influence behavioural change at both the individual and community levels.
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This malaria education poster by Children for Health uses clear, child-friendly language to raise awareness of malaria and promote its prevention. Using simple language and engaging visuals, it informs children and caregivers about key facts, symptoms and protective behaviours, such as using insecti...cide-treated nets and seeking timely treatment. Designed for use in schools and communities, the poster supports health education initiatives aimed at reducing the impact of malaria in endemic regions by encouraging children to play an active role in preventing the disease.
Accessed on 20/06/2025.
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The '100 Health Messages for Children to Learn & Share' is an educational resource developed by Children for Health. It is aimed at children aged 8–14, particularly young adolescents (aged 10–14), who often care for younger siblings. The set contains 100 simple, accurate and adaptable health mes...sages, with 10 messages on each of the following topics: Malaria, diarrhoea, nutrition, coughs and colds, intestinal worms, water and sanitation, immunisation, HIV and AIDS, accidents and injuries, and early childhood development. The messages have been reviewed by medical and education experts and are designed for use by parents, teachers and health workers in schools, homes, clinics and clubs. The resource encourages active learning through memorisation, discussion, and creative activities, empowering children to become health educators in their communities.
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This educational video provides an overview of malaria, including its causes, symptoms and how it is transmitted. It focuses on the most vulnerable groups: children under five, pregnant women, people living with HIV/AIDS, and travellers or migrants. Using engaging visuals and background music, the v...ideo emphasises the importance of prevention strategies such as insecticide-treated bed nets, antimalarial medication and raising public awareness.
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Ce conte musical sensibilise les enfants et les adolescents à la menace que représente le moustique, vecteur du paludisme, une maladie qui tue un enfant toutes les 30 secondes. Il explique de manière simple et ludique comment se protéger efficacement, notamment grâce à l'utilisation d'une mous...tiquaire. Ce film éducatif vise à encourager un changement de comportement durable en insistant sur l'importance de la prévention comme moyen principal de lutte contre cette maladie mortelle.
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The Child and the liberation from the shadow of the terrible big fear
Дитина і звільнення від тіні її надзвичайно великого страху
Trauma Bilderbuch
Ілюстрована книга