Incidence and risk factors of postoperative nausea and vomiting in Africa among patient under gone surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Patients who experience postoperative nausea and vomiting are not happy with their surgical outcomes. Preventing this problem expedites the patients’ return to normal activities following surgery and significantly increases their satisfaction. There are no condensed results that show the prevalence and contributing variables of postoperative nausea and vomiting in Africa. Thus, the purpose of this meta-analysis and comprehensive review was to ascertain the prevalence and contributing variables of postoperative nausea and vomiting in Africa. Methods: Studies were retrieved from the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Database, CINAHL, Scopus, Mednar, and Google Scholar databases using combinations of searching terms and Boolean operators. I-squared (I 2) statistics is used for evaluating study heterogeneity. Every publication is assessed for methodological quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal criteria. Using a funnel plot, publication bias is visually assessed. Subgroup analyses investigate the source of heterogeneity. To determine whether publication bias exists, the Eggers weighted regression test is employed. STATA software version 14 was used to perform statistical analyses. Results: In Africa, the combined incidences of nausea 24.96 % (95% CI: 17.903-32.018), vomiting 23.655 % (95% CI: 17.542-29.769) and nausea with vomiting 15.27 % (95% CI: 9.118-21.424) . History of motion sickness (odds ratio [OR]: 3.19 (95% CI 1.08–9.42), P < 0.036) and history of postoperative nausea and vomiting (OR: 4.33 (95% CI 2.654–7.07), P < 0.001) were factors linked to postoperative nausea and vomiting. Compared to their counterparts, patients who underwent more risky surgical procedures had a 1.4-fold increased chance of developing postoperative nausea and vomiting. Patients who skipped the use of prophylactic medication for nausea and vomiting had a 59% higher risk of experiencing postoperative nausea and vomiting than those who did [OR: 1.39 (95% CI (1.074–1.769), P < 0.012) and OR: 0.194 (95% CI (0.04–0.935), P < 0.001)], respectively. Conclusion: Postoperative nausea and vomiting were more common in surgically treated African individuals. Clinical interventions are needed to prevent, diagnose, and treat postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), with a focus on patients who have experienced motion sickness, high-risk surgery, or PONV in the past. It is advisable to use whole intravenous anesthesia based on Propofol for surgery, if feasible.