Prevalence of chronic conditions and multimorbidity among healthcare workers in Zimbabwe

Results from a screening intervention

Bibliographic Data

ID19590963
AuthorsClaire Jacqueline Calderwood (0000-0002-1926-7464, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, corresponding author), Edson Marambire (0000-0001-5944-5010, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, corresponding author), Farirai Peter Nzvere (0000-0002-3260-6889, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, corresponding author), Leyla Sophie Larsson (0000-0003-4869-4630, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, corresponding author), Rudo MS Chingono (0000-0002-7061-7861, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, corresponding author), Rudo M S Chingono, Fungai Kavenga (Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, corresponding author), Nicole Redzo (Biomedical Research and Training Institute, corresponding author), Tsitsi Bandason (0000-0003-0066-8345, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, corresponding author), Simbarashe Rusakaniko (0000-0002-3159-0205, University of Zimbabwe, corresponding author), Hilda Angela Mujuru (0000-0003-1615-3856, University of Zimbabwe, corresponding author), Victoria Simms (0000-0001-5664-6810, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, corresponding author), Palwasha Khan (0000-0002-0873-8355, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, corresponding author), Celia L Gregson (0000-0001-6414-0529, University of Bristol, corresponding author), Chiratidzo E Ndhlovu (0000-0001-7863-7974, University of Zimbabwe, corresponding author), Rashida A Ferrand (0000-0002-7660-9176, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, corresponding author), Katherine Fielding (0000-0002-6524-3754, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, corresponding author), Katharina Kranzer (0000-0001-5691-7270, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, corresponding author)
EditorsPanniyammakal Jeemon (0000-0003-4172-4307)
Year2024
Volume4
Issue1
Pagese0002630
Publication date2024-01-23
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375
PublisherPublic Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1371/journal.pgph.0002630
PMID38261562
OpenAlexW4391131523
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited25

The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in southern Africa is expanding and is superimposed on high HIV prevalence. Healthcare workers are a scarce resource; yet are vital to health systems. There are very limited studies on the burden of chronic conditions among healthcare workers in Africa, and none exploring multimorbidity (≥2 chronic conditions). We describe the epidemiology of infectious (HIV) and non-communicable chronic conditions, and multimorbidity, among Zimbabwean healthcare workers. Healthcare workers (≥18 years) in eight Zimbabwean provinces were invited to a voluntary, cross-sectional health-check, including HIV, diabetes, hypertension and mental health screening. Statistical analyses described the prevalence and risk factors for multimorbidity (two or more of HIV, diabetes, hypertension or common mental disorder) and each condition. Missing data were handled using multiple imputation. Among 6598 healthcare workers (July 2020–July 2022) participating in the health-check, median age was 37 years (interquartile range 29–44), 79% were women and 10% knew they were living with HIV. Half had at least one chronic condition: 11% were living with HIV, 36% had elevated blood pressure, 12% had elevated HbA1c and 11% had symptoms of common mental disorder. The overall prevalence of multimorbidity was 15% (95% CI: 13–17%); 39% (95% CI: 36–43%) among people aged 50 and older. Whilst most HIV was diagnosed and treated, other chronic conditions were usually undiagnosed or uncontrolled. Limiting our definition of multimorbidity to two or more screened conditions sought to reduce bias due to access to diagnosis, however, may have led to a lower reported prevalence than that found using a wider definition. Half of healthcare workers screened were living with a chronic condition; one in seven had multimorbidity. Other than HIV, most conditions were undiagnosed or untreated. Multisectoral action to implement contextually relevant, chronic disease services in Africa is urgently needed. Specific attention on health workers is required to protect and retain this critical workforce

Chronic condition · Comorbidity · Disease · Environmental health · Epidemiological transition · Health care · Interquartile range · Mental health · Multimorbidity · Population · Psychiatry · Public health · Chronic Disease Management Strategies · HIV/AIDS Impact and Responses · Medicine · Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia detection and treatment · Epidemiology · Gerontology · Internal Medicine