Topics: Abstracts will be accepted for the following conference tracks:

• Track 1: Ending the Neglect of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) across the life course in Africa
• Track 2: Policy Frameworks and Strategies for Integrating NCD Interventions in Primary Health Care (PHC): from WHO PEN to PEN-Plus
• Track 3: PEN-Plus Unveiled: Pioneering Regional Strategies, Opportunities, and Frontiers
• Track 4: Engage, Empower, Excel: Community-Centric and Person-Centered NCD Care for All

Eligibility of Abstracts and Authors

Only abstracts with original work within the above tracks will be accepted for the conference. The abstract should not have been previously published or presented elsewhere. The primary author must have participated in the activities showcased in the abstract and obtained the necessary government approvals where sensitive data is used in the paper, as well as any necessary ethical clearance documents.

While a person may submit more than one abstract, only one abstract per person (primary author) will be accepted. Research should have been conducted within the last 5 years including landmark studies and must be relevant to the current African landscape.

Conflict of Interest: Authors of accepted abstracts will have to submit a disclosure of conflict-of-interest form that will be shared with the acceptance letter

Authors and Affiliations

Word count: The abstract should not exceed 350 words (which includes sub-headings but does not include the title, key words, list of authors and their addresses). Authors:

Authors should be listed as follows:

• First author: Provide first name, initials of the middle name (if any), and the last name (e.g., John M. Kamara).
• Co-authors: List each co-author in order of contribution by typing their first and middle names as initials, followed by their last name in full (e.g., J.K. Thompson, A.H. Karikari).
• Provide the organizational affiliations of the first author and all co-authors
• Indicate the corresponding author with an Asterix* and provide their email address and telephone number plus their alternate contacts.

Abstract Structure

Title: The title should be informative but concise with no subtitles or abbreviations/ acronyms. Write the title in sentence case and only capitalize proper nouns and scientific names where appropriate (e.g., Escherichia coli).

Introduction/Background: Address the scientific background and include the rationale for the study, as well as the public health significance of the subject. Explain why your study is important and what question(s) it will answer. A clearly stated background sets the stage and should include:

• A brief description of the topic and its public health significance
• Study objectives
• Research questions or study hypothesis if applicable

Methods

Describe the methods used for the study. Essential points to be included are:

• Study design
• Study setting
• Study population
• Sample size and sampling methods
• Eligibility criteria and case definitions, if any
• Data collection, management and analysis

Results

Present the significant findings (both positive and negative) of the study that are directly related to the study objectives. This section should not include discussion of the results. Provide both absolute numbers and their percentages/proportions, rates and ratios where applicable. Please note that since an abstract is a stand-alone and citable document, the results section should contain data. It should not include such statements as “Data will be discussed.” If considerable work is still pending before the conference submission, please indicate that the results are preliminary.

Conclusion

Be as concise as possible. Do not re-state data that is already included in the results. This section may include:

• An interpretation of key findings and their implications for public health practice
• Public health actions that are recommended and/or have been implemented as a consequence of the study

Note: Changes cannot be made to the final abstract after it has been submitted. However, in the event that your abstract is selected for presentation and has undergone significant changes after acceptance, those changes should be highlighted in the abstract presentation or poster.

Key words

Please include 4-6 key words. Use terms listed in the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) from the Index Medicus

Decisions and Next Steps: Accepted abstracts will be published in the conference book of abstracts. All selected abstract applicants for either oral or poster presentations are expected to attend the conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

For more information email the ICPPA2024abstracts@who.int