Critical Public Health · Available online 2 Jul 2026 · In press · DOI 10.1080/09581596.2026.2694859
Ahmed Muhammad Bashir, Abdisalam Ismail Hassan, Iqra Mohamud Sheikh Nur, Mohamed Sheikh Hassan
Background Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are an emerging cause of morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings. In Somalia, limited and fragmented evidence has hindered accurate assessment of the national CVD burden and health-system response.Methods We conducted a descriptive scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidance to summarize the burden, clinical patterns, risk factors, and health-system capacity related to CVDs in Somalia. Peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2024 were identified through PubMed, PubMed Central, ScienceDirect, and selected regional open-access journals. Of 330 records identified, 143 were screened after duplicate removal, 45 underwent full-text assessment, and 17 met the eligibility criteria for narrative synthesis.Results Most included studies were hospital-based and conducted in Mogadishu, where specialized cardiovascular services are concentrated. Ischemic heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and rheumatic heart disease were the most frequently reported conditions. National data suggest a hypertension prevalence of 27%–28%, while dyslipidemia affects more than 70% of people with type 2 diabetes. Hospital cohorts reported a mean CVD presentation age of 50–52 years, indicating relatively premature disease onset. Cardiovascular services remain centralized, with limited diagnostic capacity and shortages of trained specialists.Conclusion Available evidence indicates a growing CVD burden in Somalia. Improved surveillance, prevention, workforce development, and decentralization of cardiovascular services are urgently required.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
Read the article at the publisher →
Bashir, A., Hassan, A., Nur, I., et al. (2026). The burden of cardiovascular diseases in Somalia: a scoping review of challenges and the way forward. Critical Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/09581596.2026.2694859