Role of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) in Resource-Limited Settings (RLS)

Mosepele Mosepele, Elizabeth Botsile

As access to effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) expands globally, a decline in AIDS-related morbidity and mortality has been complicated by rising rates of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). This review provides a brief description of NCDs and existing gaps on knowledge about NCDs among HIV-infected adults mostly in Africa. Recent reports show that one in every five persons living with HIV has a chronic illness, predominantly diabetes and/or hypertension, depression, and most of these conditions are either not diagnosed or not being managed. Human papilloma virus-associated anal dysplasia occurs among 70% of HIV-infected women in RLS. Recognizing risk factors for NCDs and providing effective screening and optimal care remains challenging. Research is urgently needed to carefully characterize HIV-associated NCDs in RLS. Such studies should provide a framework for high-priority NCDs that the limited resources can be focused on in these settings.