Publications

Arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is an emerging public health issue in West Africa, with its rising prevalence significantly impacting individuals' quality of life and productivity. Despite the growing burden, arthritis management remains under-integrated into primary healthcare (PHC) systems in the region, which is primarily due to challenges such as limited healthcare resources, cultural misconceptions, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. This narrative review examines the current state of arthritis management in West Africa, identifying barriers to effective care and exploring strategies for integration into PHC systems. Key challenges include a shortage of trained healthcare providers, limited access to essential diagnostic tools, and cultural beliefs that delay diagnosis and treatment. However, opportunities for improvement exist through enhanced healthcare worker training, the adoption of multidisciplinary care approaches, community education, and the use of telemedicine to extend care to remote areas. Policy-level changes, increased healthcare funding, and research into local epidemiology and effective interventions are essential to improve the management of arthritis in West Africa.