Informing policy with rapid evidence.
Providing policymakers across Africa with immediate access to grounded, locally-relevant research synthesised for urgent decision-making.
e.g. "climate adaptation Uganda" · "maternal health Rwanda"
81
Evidence Products
79
Evidence Briefs
2
Gap Maps
Policy Highlights &
Trending Synthesis
Rapid Response Brief: Tools Adapted for Screening Cognitive Impairment Among the Elderly at the Community Level in Africa
In Uganda, between 7.2% and 20% of individuals over 60 years old live with dementia, with increasing observations of cognitive impairment (CI) among the elderly in communities such as Mukono district. Early identification and management of CI are critical to prevent progression to severe stages. This brief synthesizes evidence on cognitive impairment screening tools adapted for use among elderly populations in low-income African settings. Commonly adapted tools for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) include the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Ascertain Dementia 8-item questionnaire (AD8), Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog), and Community Screening Instrument for Dementia (CSI-D). For dementia screening, tools such as the Identification of Dementia in Elderly Africans (IDEA) cognitive screen and AD8 are used. These tools have been culturally adapted and modified to accommodate low literacy levels, often supported by the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) 10-word list. Other reliable tests include the Memory Alteration Test, Brain Health Assessment, Memory Impairment Screen, and Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised. While these tools demonstrate high reliability in identifying CI in low-resource settings, their effectiveness depends on functional referral systems for definitive diagnosis. Screening raises public awareness and aids policymakers and health managers in planning appropriate services.
Rapid Response Brief: Options for Controlling Adverse Outcomes of Pre-eclampsia in Lower Health Facilities Before and During Transfer to Higher Facilities for Care
Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a life-threatening pregnancy complication and the second leading cause of maternal deaths in Uganda, with approximately 80% of maternal deaths in Mukono District attributed to PE occurring before and during referrals to higher-level health facilities. Despite training healthcare workers on the use of magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) and providing access to the drug, administration at lower-level facilities remains low due to fears of side effects and toxicity. This brief synthesizes evidence on interventions to improve PE management at lower health facilities before and during transfer to higher-level care. Effective strategies include behavioral change interventions such as clinical audits with feedback, refresher training, and reminders; clinical interventions like maintaining well-stocked emergency trays and use of checklists; and technological interventions including mobile health applications and WhatsApp-based referral communication platforms. The evidence suggests that combining multiple interventions targeting health worker behavior and care processes is essential to reduce adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with PE. However, the impact of these interventions on outcomes remains underexplored. This brief aims to inform decision-making for health system strengthening in Uganda to improve PE management and reduce maternal mortality.