TITLE:
Characteristics of the Epidemiological Transition from 1990 to 2020 in Côte d’Ivoire
AUTHORS:
Guillaume Okoubo, Daniel Kouadio Ekra, Ekissi Orsot Tetchi, Calixte Guehi
KEYWORDS:
Epidemiological Transition, Omran’s Theory of Epidemiological Transition, Communicable Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Côte d’Ivoire
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Epidemiology,
Vol.15 No.1,
February
8,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: Since it was theorised by Abdel Omran in 1971, the epidemiological transition has been well documented in Latin America, Asia and even increasingly in Africa south of the Sahara. According to this theory, sub-Saharan Africa is in the first phase of development corresponding to the “age of plague and famine”. Given the health statistics currently available, more and more low- and middle-income countries, including those in sub-Saharan Africa, are experiencing an increase in mortality and the economic impact associated with non-communicable diseases. Côte d’Ivoire is one of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa where non-communicable diseases are currently on the rise. Despite the significant changes observed over the last decades, few studies have been carried out on the epidemiological transition in Côte d’Ivoire. It therefore seemed necessary to examine the changes in patterns of disease occurrence and causes of death in Côte d’Ivoire. Objectives: This work aimed to determine the reality of the epidemiological transition in Côte d’Ivoire and characterize its facies from 1990 to 2020. Methods: A literature review was carried out using PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, Google, institutional websites (WHO, World Bank), university library websites and institutional reports from Côte d’Ivoire. The indicators sought were mortality, morbidity, life expectancy and fertility. Results: Mortality fell overall from 13.88‰ to 9.70‰, with variations linked to cyclical situations. Life expectancy rose by 52.6 to 59.03 years, although it is still below 60. Fertility has fallen from 6.3 to 4.5 children. There is a general downward trend in morbidity due to communicable diseases between 2009 and 2019, followed by an increase in non-communicable diseases. Conclusion: Côte d’Ivoire is undergoing an original and complex epidemiological transition that needs to be taken into account in health policies and strategies.