Interrelationship between noncommunicable diseases, COVID-19 and sociodemographic index in the economic community of West African States

Abstract

Background: Noncommunicable diseases (NCD) increase COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Objective: This study aimed to describe the interrelationship between NCD, COVID-19, and sociodemographic index (SDI) in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Methods: We extracted data from the global burden of disease (GBD) estimates. The GBD was used to estimate variations in epidemiologic data sources, model predictions, and 95% corresponding uncertainty intervals (UIs) for disability-adjusted life years (DALY). COVID-19 data were extracted and collated from web-based repositories as of December 18, 2020. We assessed the strength of association between the number of COVID-19 cases per thousand population, COVID-19 deaths, case-fatality rate, SDI, and DALY due to NCD using Pearson's correlation test. The level of statistical significance was P < 0.01. Results: Ghana's SDI of 0.56 and DALY% (95% UI) due to NCD of 40.66 (36.05–44.98) was the highest. Ghana had 177 COVID-19 cases/100,000 population while Niger has 11 cases/100,000 population as of December 18, 2020. Niger's SDI of 0.16 and DALY% (95% UI) due to NCD of 21.22 (16.72–25.6) were the minimum. We found a strong positive correlation between COVID-19 cases per thousand population and DALY due to NCD (r = 0.870, P<0.001, n = 15) and a strong positive correlation between SDI and DALY due to NCD (r = 0.647, P = 0.009, n = 15). Conclusion: Countries with higher SDI and DALY due to NCD experienced higher COVID-19 cases. NCD prevention and control should be promoted to reduce COVID-19–related mortality and morbidity in the ECOWAS.

Keywords

• chronic disease
• coronavirus disease
• health promotion
• socioeconomic factors
• west africa