Raising COPD Awareness in Africa (RACE Africa)
The ‘Raising COPD Awareness in Africa’ (RACE Africa) project was funded by the Global Initiative on Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) in 2024 to address the growing burden of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) across the continent. The major focus was to reduce the high rate of COPD underdiagnosis and undertreatment by educating healthcare workers, assessing COPD awareness in the communities, and disseminating culturally appropriate educational materials to the public. It was implemented in seven cities across five African countries:
- Lagos (Nigeria)
- Port Harcourt, and Katsina (Nigeria)
- Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)
- Kigali (Rwanda)
- Douala (Cameroon)
- Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
Healthcare worker education:
Led by the team in Lagos, team members across all five countries worked collaboratively to develop a standard slide deck based on the GOLD strategy for use in the training of health care workers across all sites. The scope of the materials ranged from risk factors, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of COPD, including strategies for active case finding.
Healthcare Worker Education Slides – English
Healthcare Worker Education Slides – French
Tailored one day workshops were subsequently conducted for healthcare workers across six cities. The medical professionals trained included doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and other community healthcare workers. The workshops comprised interactive lectures with practical demonstrations of peak flow measurement as a component of active case finding. Workshop participants were provided with peak flow meters and a screening questionnaire in some countries to facilitate active case finding.
A spirometry referral pathway was established at all sites, allowing workshop participants to refer patients with suspected COPD identified through case finding.
A pre- and post-workshop questionnaire on the knowledge and practice of COPD was administered to assess the impact of these workshops. The analysed data indicated a positive impact of the training on the knowledge of the attendees. This underscores the value of the workshop and the potential for impact on clinical care.
Healthcare Worker Questionnaire
COPD awareness in the communities
A questionnaire was developed based on previous studies that was used to assess COPD awareness in the community. The questionnaire also assessed and compared awareness of asthma and HIV. A data collection framework was established, enabling the screening and survey of over 7,000 individuals across the seven cities. Trained field workers collected data from households and public spaces. Participants were drawn from urban communities that were selected to ensure representative insights.
COPD Awareness in the Community Questionnaire
The findings from this survey showed low population literacy about COPD with wide variation across cities. In contrast, there was nearly universal awareness about asthma and HIV. This understanding supports the need for ongoing campaigns in Africa to improve COPD awareness as a strategy for improved diagnosis and treatment.
The findings from this survey showed low population literacy about COPD with wide variation across cities. In contrast, there was nearly universal awareness about asthma and HIV. This understanding supports the need for ongoing campaigns in Africa to improve COPD awareness as a strategy for improved diagnosis and treatment.
Development and distribution of educational materials
To complement healthcare worker training and public engagement, a set of educational materials was produced and distributed. These included posters, fliers, and an animated video, all designed to convey key messages about COPD prevention, symptoms, and treatment. Importantly, materials were translated into several local languages, such as Pidgin English, Yoruba, Hausa, French, Amharic, and others, ensuring accessibility and resonance with diverse audiences. Distribution channels encompassed face to face encounters in the communities, clinics, pharmacies, schools, and digital platforms, maximizing reach and impact.
Community Education Flyers:
Community Education Videos:
Conclusion and Next Steps
The RACE Africa project has demonstrated the value of targeted education and community engagement in moving the needle towards tackling respiratory health challenges. There is need to build on these foundations, expanding training programs, enhancing data collection efforts, and deepening collaboration with local partners. Continued investment is recommended to sustain momentum, evaluate long-term outcomes, and scale successful interventions to additional regions.
RACE AFRICA BLOG FOR NCD ALLIANCE