Population health outcomes in Nigeria compared with other west African countries, 1998–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study
Year: 2022
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Population-level health and mortality data are crucial for evidence-informed policy but scarce in Nigeria. To fill this gap, we undertook a comprehensive assessment of the burden of disease in Nigeria and compared outcomes to other west African countries. METHODS: In this systematic analysis, using data and results of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019, we analysed patterns of mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), life expectancy, healthy life expectancy (HALE), and health system coverage for Nigeria and 15 other west African countries by gender in 1998 and 2019. Estimates of all-age and age-standardised disability-adjusted life-years for 369 diseases and injuries and 87 risk factors are presented for Nigeria. Health expenditure per person and gross domestic product were extracted from the World Bank repository. FINDINGS: Between 1998 and 2019, life expectancy and HALE increased in Nigeria by 18% to 64·3 years (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 62·2-66·6), mortality reduced for all age groups for both male and female individuals, and health expenditure per person increased from the 11th to third highest in west Africa by 2018 (US$18·6 in 2001 to $83·75 in 2018). Nonetheless, relative outcomes remained poor; Nigeria ranked sixth in west Africa for age-standardised mortality, seventh for HALE, tenth for YLLs, 12th for health system coverage, and 14th for YLDs in 2019. Malaria (5176·3 YLLs per 100 000 people, 95% UI 2464·0-9591·1) and neonatal disorders (4818·8 YLLs per 100 000, 3865·9-6064·2) were the leading causes of YLLs in Nigeria in 2019. Nigeria had the fourth-highest under-five mortality rate for male individuals (2491·8 deaths per 100 000, 95% UI 1986·1-3140·1) and female individuals (2117·7 deaths per 100 000, 1756·7-2569·1), but among the lowest mortality for men older than 55 years. There was evidence of a growing non-communicable disease burden facing older Nigerians. INTERPRETATION: Health outcomes remain poor in Nigeria despite higher expenditure since 2001. Better outcomes in countries with equivalent or lower health expenditure suggest health system strengthening and targeted intervention to address unsafe water sources, poor sanitation, malnutrition, and exposure to air pollution could substantially improve population health. FUNDING: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Source: The Lancet
Authors: Blake Angell, Olutobi Sanuade, Ifedayo M O Adetifa, Iruka N Okeke, Aishatu Lawal Adamu, Muktar H Aliyu, Emmanuel A Ameh, Fatima Kyari, Muktar A Gadanya, Diana A Mabayoje, Adesola Yinka-Ogunleye, Tolu Oni, Rabiu Ibrahim Jalo, Fatimah I Tsiga-Ahmed, Sarah L Dalglish, Seye Abimbola, Tim Colbourn, Obinna Onwujekwe, Eme Theodora Owoaje, Gambo Aliyu, Sani H Aliyu, Belinda Archibong, Alex Ezeh, Chikwe Ihekweazu, Zubairu Iliyasu, Stephen Obaro, Ebenezer Babatunde Obadare, Friday Okonofua, Muhammed Pate, Babatunde L Salako, Fatima H Zanna, Scott Glenn, Ally Walker, Maha Ezalarab, Mohsen Naghavi, Ibrahim Abubakar
Institutions: The George Institute for Global Health, UNSW Sydney, The George Institute for Global Health, University College London, Northwestern University, University of Lagos, Kenya Medical Research Institute, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University of Ibadan, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Wellcome Trust, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, National Hospital Abuja, University of Abuja, Bayero University Kano, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, University of Cape Town, University of Cambridge, MRC Epidemiology Unit, The University of Sydney, University of Nigeria, National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Barnard College, Drexel University, University of Nebraska Medical Center, University of Kansas, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, University of Benin, World Bank, Harvard University, World Bank Group, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation
Language: English
Subfield: Health Information Management
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $6,500
OpenAlex ID: W4220671587