scholarly journals Cancer Prevention in Low-Resource Countries: An Overview of the Opportunity

2020 ◽  
pp. 72-83
Author(s):  
Sailaja Kamaraju ◽  
Jeffrey Drope ◽  
Rengaswamy Sankaranarayanan ◽  
Surendra Shastri
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Cancer Control ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Sub Saharan

Rising trends in the incidence of cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) add to the existing challenges with communicable and noncommunicable diseases. While breast and colorectal cancer incidence rates are increasing in LMICs, the incidence of cervical cancer shows a mixed trend, with rising incidence rates in China and sub-Saharan Africa and declining trends in the Indian subcontinent and South America. The increasing frequencies of unhealthy lifestyles, notably less physical activity, obesity, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption are causing a threat to health care in LMICs. Also, poorly developed health systems tend to have inadequate resources to implement early detection and adequate basic treatment. Inequalities in social determinants of health, lack of awareness of cancer and preventive care, lack of efficient referral pathways and patient navigation, and nonexistent or inadequate health care funding can lead to advanced disease presentation at diagnosis. This article provides an overview of opportunities to address cancer control in LMICs, with a focus on tobacco control, vaccination for cervical cancer, novel tools to assist with early detection, and screening for breast and other cancers.

Systematic review of cervical cancer prevalence and determinants of early detection in Sub-Saharan Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-36
Author(s):  
Eleazar Ndabarora ◽  
Dariya Mukamusoni ◽  
Clarte Ndikumasabo ◽  
Védaste Ngirinshuti
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Cervical Cancer Screening ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Early Management ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
Mesh Terms ◽  
Sub Saharan

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally and in Sub-Saharan Africa in particular. There is evidence that early detection and early management of cases are the best strategies to prevent and control this health threat, since treatment of the later stages of the diseases are very expensive. The objectives of the review were: (1) to identify and review studies on the prevalence of cervical cancer and determinants of early detection in Sub-Saharan Africa, and (2) to recommend further studies and interventions based on the findings of this review. Extensive literature search was conducted using the MeSH terms. Articles on cervical cancer and/or determinants of early detection which fulfilled inclusion criteria were reviewed independently by three reviewers. The prevalence of cervical cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa is increasing. Although there are evidences that cervical cancer screening programs are practical and feasible even in resource-limited settings in Sub-Saharan Africa, there is a very low uptake of cervical cancer screening and there are key factors that need to be addressed in order to make these programs established and effective.

Aging and the Rising Burden of Noncommunicable Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa and other Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Call for Holistic Action

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 806-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Razak M Gyasi ◽  
David R Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Demographic Aging ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are a prevalent and growing burden among older cohorts in sub-Saharan Africa and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as in many wealthier parts of the world. This stems from the combined effects of factors such as demographic aging, behavioral transitions, and developmental origins of health and disease. A crucial characteristic of many NCDs is that their personal and family impacts and costs are not accurately reflected in mortality data. Their effects are often chronic and long-term and can cause morbidity, loss of work ability, and impaired quality of life over a prolonged period. Unless addressed seriously, the continuing increase of NCDs and their burden in sub-Saharan African countries and other LMICs will almost certainly undermine progress toward achieving the target of reducing by 25% premature mortality from NCDs in these countries by 2025 and also one-third reduction of NCDs target by 2030. To have any chance of meeting or even getting near to these targets, this article calls for action by national and regional governments to strengthen universal health coverage (UHC), economic empowerment of vulnerable groups, public–private partnerships, effective fiscal regulation, and public education on NCDs, their risk factors and impacts in sub-Saharan Africa in particular and most LMICs globally.

scholarly journals E-Learning for Medical Education in Sub-Saharan Africa and Low-Resource Settings: Viewpoint (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Barteit ◽  
Albrecht Jahn ◽  
Sekelani S Banda ◽  
Till Bärnighausen ◽  
Annel Bowa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Education ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Low Resource ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Sub Saharan

UNSTRUCTURED E-learning has been heralded as a revolutionary force for medical education, especially for low-resource countries still suffering from a dire lack of health care workers. However, despite over two decades of e-learning endeavors and interventions across sub-Saharan Africa and other low- and middle-income countries, e-learning for medical education has not gained momentum and continues to fall short of the anticipated revolution. Many e-learning interventions have been cul-de-sac pilots that have not been scaled up but rather terminated after the pilot phase. This is usually a result of not adopting a system-wide approach, which leads to insufficient scope of training, insufficient technological maintenance and user support, unattainably high expectations, and unrealistic financial planning. Thus, a multitude of e-learning evaluations have failed to provide scientifically sound evidence of the effectiveness of e-learning for medical education in low-resource countries. Instead, it appears that technological development has overwhelmed rather than revolutionized medical education. The question of how to push e-learning into a higher gear in low-resource countries persists. Provision of e-learning as a technology is insufficient. E-learning needs to be vigorously and sustainably integrated into the local educational setting and aligned with national strategies and other national endeavors and interventions. Adhering to a standardized framework for the implementation and evaluation of e-learning endeavors is key, especially to bridge the gap in robust evidence that should also guide e-learning implementations. The primary objective of e-learning for medical education is to strengthen the health system in order to serve the population’s health care needs and expectations. Currently, medical e-learning does not measure up to its potential or do justice to medical students in low-resource countries. Technology may help unfold the potential of e-learning, but an all-encompassing change is needed. This can only be achieved through a joint effort that follows a systematic and standardized framework, especially for implementation and evaluation.

scholarly journals Factors influencing cervical cancer screening in a Kenyan Health Facility: a mixed qualitative and quantitative study

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 1180 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Njuguna ◽  
S. Ilovi ◽  
P. Muiruri ◽  
K. Mutai ◽  
J. Kinuthia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Cervical Cancer Screening ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Main Barrier

Background: Cervical cancer is the commonest cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality among women in developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Screening for cervical cancer among HIV infected women is crucial as they are more at risk of developing the disease and progressing faster once infected with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).Methods: We aimed to determine the factors affecting the utilization of cervical cancer screening among HIV infected women above 18 years of age at Kenyatta National Hospital by conducting a cross-sectional mixed quantitative and qualitative methods study. Descriptive and inferential analysis was carried out on quantitative data to determine significant associations with cervical cancer utilization. Qualitative data were analyzed after coding for significant clauses and transcribing to determine themes arising.Results: Three hundred and twenty eight of the total 387 women enrolled reported they had been advised by their health providers to go for screening. However, only 179 (46%) reported cervical cancer screening.  Women were more likely to report cervical cancer screening if recommendation by a staff was made (p <0.001), and prior to joining KNH CCC (p <0.001). Qualitatively the main barrier to screening included fear of screening due to concerns about excessive pain or bleeding, lack of proper communication on screening procedures and long waiting timeConclusions: The utilization of cervical cancer screening services was low despite high rates of health care recommendation. The women were more likely to utilize the service if recommendation from the health care worker was made, and if they had ever screened before.

Cervical Cancer and its Aetiology in Sub-saharan Africa: A Literature Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 574
Author(s):  
Godstime I. Irabor ◽  
Ayodele J. Omotoso ◽  
Martin A. Nnoli ◽  
Kenneth A. Omoruyi ◽  
Edoise M. Isiwele
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Sub Saharan

scholarly journals BioLPG for Clean Cooking in Sub-Saharan Africa: Present and Future Feasibility of Technologies, Feedstocks, Enabling Conditions and Financing

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3916
Author(s):  
Kimball C. Chen ◽  
Matthew Leach ◽  
Mairi J. Black ◽  
Meron Tesfamichael ◽  
Francis Kemausuor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Waste ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Green Economy ◽  
Energy Access ◽  
Liquefied Petroleum Gas ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Private Sector Investment ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Public And Private Sector

Energy supply for clean cooking is a priority for Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG, i.e., propane or butane or a mixture of both) is an economically efficient, cooking energy solution used by over 2.5 billion people worldwide and scaled up in numerous low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Investigation of the technical, policy, economic and physical requirements of producing LPG from renewable feedstocks (bioLPG) finds feasibility at scale in Africa. Biogas and syngas from the circular economic repurposing of municipal solid waste and agricultural waste can be used in two groundbreaking new chemical processes (Cool LPG or Integrated Hydropyrolysis and Hydroconversion (IH2)) to selectively produce bioLPG. Evidence about the nature and scale potential of bioLPG presented in this study justifies further investment in the development of bioLPG as a fuel that can make a major contribution toward enabling an SSA green economy and universal energy access. Techno-economic assessments of five potential projects from Ghana, Kenya and Rwanda illustrate what might be possible. BioLPG technology is in the early days of development, so normal technology piloting and de-risking need to be undertaken. However, fully developed bioLPG production could greatly reduce the public and private sector investment required to significantly increase SSA clean cooking capacity.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document