A quantitative comparison between the essential medicines for rheumatic diseases in children and young people in Africa and the WHO model list
Authors' conclusion
Four countries (8.5%) in Africa have updated their National Essential Medicines Lists to reflect adequate care for children and young people with rheumatic diseases.
Study context
- Population
- National Essential Medicines Lists of the 54 countries of the WHO Africa region, medicines for rheumatic diseases in children and young people47 with a national list
- Participants
- 54 participants
- Exposure
- National Essential Medicines Lists of WHO Africa region countries vs the 2021 WHO EML and WHO EML for children
- Outcome
- Percentage similarity of national lists with the WHO EML for rheumatic diseases in children and young people
Methodological detailsdocument review of National Essential Medicines Lists, multiple linear regression
- Document review of National Essential Medicines Lists
- Multiple linear regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Countries with a National Essential Medicines List
- 47
- Countries with no medicines listed for rheumatic diseases
- 11
- Majority of countries had ≤50% similarity with the WHO EML; number of medicines, median (IQR)
- 3 (1- 4)
- Most common medicines: MTX, SSZ and AZA; etanercept available in countries
- 6
- Countries with only acetylsalicylic acid listed under 'Juvenile Joint diseases'
- 7
- Countries with lists updated to reflect adequate care
- 4 (8.5%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Predictors of the number of medicines on national lists (multiple linear regression)
- Variability predicted by health expenditure per capita, socio-demographic index and availability of rheumatology services
- 20%, p = 0.006
- Socio-demographic index
- P = 0.035, 95% CI 0.64-16.16
- Availability of rheumatology services (adult and/or paediatric)
- P = 0.033, 95% CI 0.13 - 2.90
Original publication
A quantitative comparison between the essential medicines for rheumatic diseases in children and young people in Africa and the WHO model list. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. Published 4 July 2024. doi:10.
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