Natisha Dukhi
Cape town, Human Sciences Research Council, South AfricaTitle : Analysis of anaemia prevalence in children and adolescents in BRICS countries using an artificial intelligence approach
Abstract
In mobilizing cooperation for
nutrition and addressing the various forms of malnutrition, including
micronutrient deficiencies, the BRICS, countries, that include Brazil, Russia,
India, China and South Africa, have made some significant strides. The BRICS
nations, contributing to 42% of the global population, are making efforts
towards achieving declines in undernourishment and reducing hunger. South-South
cooperation is instrumental in promoting health and well-being via nutrition
and addressing malnutrition and the economic and social burden as it impacts
individuals, communities and populations globally. Common amongst BRICS
countries, namely Russia, India and South Africa, is the issue of anaemia in
children and adolescents. Globally, and according to the World Health
Organization anaemia is a major and common public health concern affecting both
the developed and developing countries. The most vulnerable age groups affected
are young children aged less than five years old, adolescents and women of
childbearing age. This study utilizes an artificial intelligence approach for
analyzing anaemia prevalence in children and adolescents in BRICS nations. It
posits that the use of machine learning in this area of health research is still
novel. The weightage assessment of the crosslink between anaemia risk
indicators using a machine learning approach will assist policy makers in
identifying the priority areas to intervene in the BRICS countries. Health
interventions utilizing artificial intelligence and more specifically, machine
learning techniques, remains nascent in LMICs but could lead to improved health
outcomes.
Biography
Natisha Dukhi is a Senior
Research Specialist at the Human Sciences Research Council. She has over a
decade experience as a Medical Scientist, specializing in Human Anatomy,
Physiology, Pathophysiology and Nutrition. She completed a PhD in Public Health
at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She is an eclectic behavioural scientist,
with various interdisciplinary research focuses. Her areas of expertise include
Nutrition, Maternal, Adolescent and Child Health, health promotion and
non-communicable diseases, with specific interest in mHealth, artificial
intelligence in Health, and gender-based violence. She serves as a PI, co-PI
and Project Director on various interdisciplinary surveys. Her scientific
experience and collaborations have led to various interdisciplinary
publications, book chapters and conference proceedings. She has various
affiliations that include the Public Health Association of South Africa,
African Academy of Sciences, South African Young Academy of Science, African
ChangeMakers South Africa, Southern Africa and Africa Science Leadership
Programmes, Women in Leadership Programme- Africa Research Excellence Fund,
Women in Science Without Borders, Women in Global Health, among others. She is
also a BRICS Young Scientist awardee, and a recipient of the Gro Brundtland
Award for outstanding work in public health and sustainable development.