Int J Epidemiol. 2026 Feb 18;55(2):dyag022. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyag022.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in adolescent and young adult females in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has not been comprehensively studied. To address this gap, we analysed data from the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) 2021, focusing on death due to NCDs in females aged 10-24 years in SSA.
METHODS: We extracted data from GBD 2021 on NCD deaths in females aged 10-24 years in SSA from 2000 to 2021. We presented the numbers and death rates of NCDs, and the proportion of NCDs in all-cause deaths was calculated. Pearson’s correlation was applied to explore the NCD burden on the socioeconomic development and health system. Additionally, we projected the NCD burden until 2050 by applying mixed-effects models.
RESULTS: In 2021, 52 083.13 (42 018.18∼61 630.88) NCD deaths, at a mortality rate of 27.59 (22.26∼32.64) per 100 000 population, emerged, accounting for 21.13% (17.57%∼24.22%) of the total deaths. Neoplasms, cardiovascular diseases, digestive diseases, neurological disorders, and diabetes and kidney diseases were the top five leading causes of deaths. Inverse associations were observed between the NCD death rates and indicators of the socioeconomic and health system (P < .001). An increasing trend was observed of the NCD death numbers and the contributing proportions since 2000, and it was predicted to continue increasing through to 2050, with the highest increasing trend in neoplasms.
CONCLUSION: The rising disease burden of NCDs for adolescent and young adult females in SSA has attracted attention. Targeted interventions and strengthened health systems should be prioritized to address the concerning NCD burden in adolescent girls in SSA.
PMID:41802219 | DOI:10.1093/ije/dyag022
