Abstract:
Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a significant public health challenge in Sub-Sa haran Africa (SSA), driven by diverse risk factors such as household air pollution, occupational expo- sures, and smoking. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of COPD burden, including prevalence, mortality, disabili ty, and attributable risk factors across SSA from 1990 to 2021, using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study.
Methods: The study utilized GBD 2021 data, which integrates multiple sources and employs advanced modeling techniques to estimate COPD metrics. Key outcomes included age-standardized prevalence, years lived with dis ability (YLDs), mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Risk factor attribu tions were analyzed to identify regional variations.
Results: In 2021, SSA had an estimated 9.7 million COPD cases, with an age-standardized prevalence of 1787 per 100,000, marking a 7% increase since 1990. COPD-related disability (YLDs) reached 925,053, while mortality declined by 22% compared to 1990, with 105,000 deaths in 2021. COPD prevalence increased significantly from age 45 onwards, with notable gender disparities emerging after age 70. Household air pollution and occupational exposures were the leading risk factors, though smoking dominated in Southern SSA. Regional disparities were evident, with Southern SSA showing the highest prevalence but stable trends, while Central, Eastern, and Western SSA experienced rising rates.
Conclusion: Despite decreasing mortality, COPD prevalence and disability burden in SSA continue to rise, un derscoring the need for targeted interventions. Addressing household air pollution, occupational hazards, and im proving healthcare access are critical to mitigating COPD’s impact. Policymakers should prioritize region-specific strategies to reduce risk factors and enhance COPD management across SSA.
