Interdisciplinary perspectives on multimorbidity in Africa: Developing an expanded conceptual model

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003434
• Publication Date: 2024-07-30T17:22:04Z
• Authors: Justin Dixon; Ben Morton; Misheck J. Nkhata; Alan Silman; Ibrahim G. Simiyu; Stephen A. Spencer; Myrna Van Pinxteren; Christopher Bunn; Claire Calderwood; Clare I. R. Chandler; Edith Chikumbu; Amelia C. Crampin; John R. Hurst; Modou Jobe; Andre Pascal Kengne; Naomi S. Levitt; Mosa Moshabela; Mayowa Owolabi; Nasheeta Peer; Nozgechi Phiri; Sally J. Singh; Tsaone Tamuhla; Mandikudza Tembo; Nicki Tiffin; Eve Worrall; Nateiya M. Yongolo; Gift T. Banda; Fanuel Bickton; Abbi-Monique Mama...; Edna Bosire; Marlen S. Chawani; Beatrice Chinoko; Mphatso Chisala; Jonathan Chiwanda; Sarah Drew; Lindsay Farrant; Rashida A. Ferrand; Mtisunge Gondwe; Celia L. Gregson; Richard Harding; Dan Kajungu; Stephen Kasenda; Winceslaus Katagira; Duncan Kwaitana; Emily Mendenhall; Adwoa Bemah Boama...; Modai Mnenula; Lovemore Mupaza; Maud Mwakasungula; Wisdom Nakanga; Chiratidzo Ndhlovu; Kennedy Nkhoma; Owen Nkoka; Edwina Addo Opare...; Jacob Phulusa; Alison Price; Jamie Rylance; Charity Salima; Sangwani Salimu; Joachim Sturmberg; Elizabeth Vale; Felix Limbani
• Keywords: Transformative Learning; Thematic Analysis; Conceptual framework

Multimorbidity is an emerging challenge for health systems globally. It commonly defined as the co-occurrence of two or more chronic conditions in one person, but its meaning remains a lively area academic debate, and utility concept beyond high-income settings uncertain. This article presents findings from interdisciplinary research initiative that drew together 60 applied partners working 10 African countries to answer questions: how useful multimorbidity within Africa? Can be adapted context optimise transformative potentials? During three-day concept-building workshop, we investigated definition was understood across diverse disciplinary regional perspectives, evaluated limitations existing concepts definitions, considered build context-sensitive, cross-cutting description multimorbidity. iterative process guided by principles grounded theory involved focus- whole-group discussions during thematic coding workshop discussions, further post-workshop development refinement. Three domains emerged discussions: current focus on constituent diseases; potential revised centre priorities, needs, social people living with (PLWMM); need respond varied conceptual priorities amongst stakeholders. These themes fed into expanded model centres catastrophic impacts can have PLWMM, families support structures, service providers, systems.