scholarly journals Breast Cancer Patient Advocacy: Challenges and Opportunities in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 39-39
Author(s):  
Allison Dvaladze ◽  
Darya A. Kizub ◽  
Anna Cabanes ◽  
Gertrude Nakigudde ◽  
Bertha Aguilar ◽  
...  

PURPOSE Breast cancer advocacy movements, driven by advocate-led civil society organizations (CSOs), have proven to be a powerful force for the advancement of cancer control in high-income countries, playing a critical role in providing peer support, raising awareness, reducing stigma, educating the public, raising funds, influencing policy, and affecting national cancer research agendas by bringing the public’s concerns about cancer to policymakers and the medical community. Breast cancer patient advocacy movements are growing in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in response to an increasing cancer burden and disparities in outcomes; however, there are few studies on the experiences and needs of advocate-led breast cancer CSOs in LMICs. METHODS We conducted a qualitative study using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 98 participants representing 23 LMICs in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, East and Southern Africa, and Latin America. RESULTS Despite geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic differences, the common themes that emerged across the 3 regions are strikingly similar: trust, knowledge gaps, stigma, sharing experiences, and sustainability. We identified common facilitators—training/education, relationship building/networking, third-party facilitators, communication—and barriers—mistrust, stigma, organizational fragility, difficulty translating high-income country strategies—to establishing trust, collaboration, and advancing cancer advocacy efforts. To our knowledge, our study is the first to describe the role coalitions and regional networks play in advancing breast cancer advocacy in LMICs across multiple regions CONCLUSION Our findings reflect the importance of investing in three-way partnerships between CSOs, political leaders, and health experts. When provided with information that is evidence based and relevant to their respective environments, as well as opportunities to engage and network, advocates are better equipped to pursue evidence-based programs, advocate for appropriate solutions, and to hold their governments accountable to the commitments they make. Global and local actors can do more to create opportunities for education and engagement.

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hernan O Bayona ◽  
Mayowa Owolabi ◽  
Wayne Feng ◽  
James R Sawers ◽  
Paul Olowoyo ◽  
...  

Introduction: Implementation of contextually appropriate, evidence-based, expert-recommended stroke prevention guideline is particularly important in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), which bear disproportional larger burden of stroke while possessing fewer resources. Focus therefore, should be on approaches enabling healthcare systems to improve control of vascular risk factors. Objective: We aimed to compare important features of stroke prevention guidelines between LMICs and High Income Countries (HICs). Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, AJOL, SciELO, and LILACS databases for stroke prevention guidelines published between January 2005 and December 2015 by country. Primary search items included: “Stroke” and “Guidelines”. We critically appraised the articles for evidence level, issuance frequency and implementation aspects to clinical practice. Results: Among 45 stroke prevention guidelines published, 28 (62%) met eligibility criteria: 7 from LMICs (25%) and 21 from HICs (75%). LMIC-issued guidelines were less likely to have conflict of interest declarations (57% vs. 100%, p=0.01), involve high quality systematic reviews (57% vs. 95%, p= 0.03), had good dissemination channels (14% vs 71%, p=0.02). The patient views and preferences were the most significant stakeholder considerations in HICs (43%, p=0.04) compared with LMICs. Conclusion: The quality and quantity of stroke prevention guidelines in LMICs are less than those of HICs and need to be significantly improved upon.


2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (27_suppl) ◽  
pp. 152-152
Author(s):  
B. M. Blauvelt ◽  
S. K. Podder ◽  
O. Abulkhair ◽  
C. H. Barrios ◽  
C. Huang ◽  
...  

152 Background: Non-Western, non-Caucasian populations comprise 90% of the world’s estimated 3.2 billion women, living mostly in low and middle income nations. While medical advances have greatly reduced breast cancer morbidity and mortality in developed nations, those are on the rise in many low and middle income nations. The purpose of the study was to identify emerging needs and challenges observed by breast cancer thought leaders in diverse regions of the world consisting mainly of lesser developed nations to identify strategies for improving breast cancer control. Methods: 225 breast cancer medical, advocacy and policy leaders from 30 countries in Latin America, Asia, the Middle East/North and South Africa, Canada and Australia participated in this study. The study sample was composed of 203 breast cancer specialists, 12 patient advocates and 10 policy makers. Results: The most salient needs and challenges identified were to: (1) develop nurses trained in breast cancer patient and family care, management, education and clinical research (48%); (2) individualize breast cancer therapy (47%); and (3) improve understanding of the reasons for apparently higher proportions of younger women presenting with more aggressive tumors among these predominantly non-Caucasian populations (45%). Analysis of these and other needs identified evolved into 4 key themes and sub-dimensions involving nurses to improve breast cancer control: Capacity, Research, Advocacy and Access. Conclusions: The most significant need identified by this study was to increase both the capacity and capability of breast cancer nurses. A comprehensive approach to doing this would include: (1) increasing capacity to educate nurses in breast cancer patient education and related care issues in nursing schools and teaching hospitals; (2) working with local medical societies, educational institutions and governmental authorities to enable nurses to work as primary care practitioners; and (3) increasing participation of nurses in breast cancer clinical research, working with clinicians and in collaboration with breast cancer research centers of excellence from around the world.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1038
Author(s):  
Ana Carolina B. Leme ◽  
Sophia Hou ◽  
Regina Mara Fisberg ◽  
Mauro Fisberg ◽  
Jess Haines

Research comparing the adherence to food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) across countries with different socio-economic status is lacking, which may be a concern for developing nutrition policies. The aim was to report on the adherence to FBDGs in high-income (HIC) and low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC). A systematic review with searches in six databases was performed up to June 2020. English language articles were included if they investigated a population of healthy children and adults (7–65 years), using an observational or experimental design evaluating adherence to national FBDGs. Findings indicate that almost 40% of populations in both HIC and LMIC do not adhere to their national FBDGs. Fruit and vegetables (FV) were most adhered to and the prevalence of adhering FV guidelines was between 7% to 67.3%. HIC have higher consumption of discretionary foods, while results were mixed for LMIC. Grains and dairy were consumed below recommendations in both HIC and LMIC. Consumption of animal proteins (>30%), particularly red meat, exceeded the recommendations. Individuals from HIC and LMIC may be falling short of at least one dietary recommendation from their country’s guidelines. Future health policies, behavioral-change strategies, and dietary guidelines may consider these results in their development.


PLoS Medicine ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. e1001122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarun Dua ◽  
Corrado Barbui ◽  
Nicolas Clark ◽  
Alexandra Fleischmann ◽  
Vladimir Poznyak ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arafat Tfayli ◽  
Sally Temraz ◽  
Rachel Abou Mrad ◽  
Ali Shamseddine

Breast cancer is a major health care problem that affects more than one million women yearly. While it is traditionally thought of as a disease of the industrialized world, around 45% of breast cancer cases and 55% of breast cancer deaths occur in low and middle income countries. Managing breast cancer in low income countries poses a different set of challenges including access to screening, stage at presentation, adequacy of management and availability of therapeutic interventions. In this paper, we will review the challenges faced in the management of breast cancer in low and middle income countries.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aprill Z. Dawson ◽  
Rebekah J. Walker ◽  
Jennifer A. Campbell ◽  
Leonard E. Egede

<p><strong>INTRODUCTION: </strong>Low and middle-income countries face a continued burden of chronic illness and non-communicable diseases while continuing to show very low health worker utilization. With limited numbers of medical schools and a workforce shortage the poor health outcomes seen in many low and middle income countries are compounded by a lack of within country medical training.</p><p><strong>METHODS: </strong>Using a systematic approach, this paper reviews the existing literature on training outcomes in low and middle-income countries in order to identify effective strategies for implementation in the developing world. This review examined training provided by high-income countries to low- and middle-income countries.</p><p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Based on article eligibility, 24 articles were found to meet criteria. Training methods found include workshops, e-learning modules, hands-on skills training, group discussion, video sessions, and role-plays. Of the studies with statistically significant results training times varied from one day to three years. Studies using both face-to-face and video found statistically significant results.</p><p><strong>DISCUSSION:</strong> Based on the results of this review, health professionals from high-income countries should be encouraged to travel to low- middle-income countries to assist with providing training to health providers in those countries.</p>


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