Natisha Dukhi

Cape town, Human Sciences Research Council, South Africa
Title : 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.