scholarly journals Adoption of Information and Communication Technologies for Early Detection of Breast and Cervical Cancers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 222-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica M. DiCarlo ◽  
Sricharan Gopakumar ◽  
Preet K. Dhillon ◽  
Suneeta Krishnan
Keyword(s):  
Early Detection ◽  
Cancer Prevention ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Cervical Cancer Prevention ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Cervical Cancers ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Purpose In response to the growing burden of breast and cervical cancers, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are beginning to implement national cancer prevention programs. We reviewed the literature on information and communication technology (ICT) applications in the prevention of breast and cervical cancers in LMICs to examine their potential to enhance cancer prevention efforts. Methods Ten databases of peer-reviewed and gray literature were searched using an automated strategy for English-language articles on the use of mobile health (mHealth) and telemedicine in breast and cervical cancer prevention (screening and early detection) published between 2005 and 2015. Articles that described the rationale for using these ICTs and/or implementation experiences (successes, challenges, and outcomes) were reviewed. Bibliographies of articles that matched the eligibility criteria were reviewed to identify additional relevant references. Results Of the initial 285 citations identified, eight met the inclusion criteria. Of these, four used primary data, two were overviews of ICT applications, and two were commentaries. Articles described the potential for mHealth and telemedicine to address both demand- and supply-side challenges to cancer prevention, such as awareness, access, and cost, in LMICs. However, there was a dearth of evidence to support these hypotheses. Conclusion This review indicates that there are few publications that reflect specifically on the role of mHealth and telemedicine in cancer prevention and even fewer that describe or evaluate interventions. Although articles suggest that mHealth and telemedicine can enhance the implementation and use of cancer prevention interventions, more evidence is needed.

scholarly journals Cancer Control in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Is It Time to Consider Screening?

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shailja C. Shah ◽  
Violet Kayamba ◽  
Richard M. Peek ◽  
Douglas Heimburger
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Cancer Prevention ◽  
Cancer Control ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Life Years ◽  
Related Mortality ◽  
Low And Middle Income

The rising prevalence of noncommunicable diseases globally, with a strikingly disproportionate increase in prevalence and related mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), is a major threat to sustainable development. The epidemiologic trend of cancers in LMICs is of particular concern. Despite a lower incidence of cancer in LMICs compared with high-income countries, total cancer-related mortality is significantly higher in LMICs, especially in people younger than 65 years of age. The enormous economic impact of premature mortality and lost productive life years highlights the critical importance of galvanizing cancer prevention and management to achieve sustainable development. The rising burden of cancer in LMICs stresses an already weak health care and economic infrastructure and poses unique challenges. Although the WHO acknowledges that the effective management of cancer relies on early detection, accurate diagnosis, and access to appropriate multimodal therapy, the placement of priority on early detection cannot be assumed to be effective in LMICs, where limited downstream resources may be overwhelmed by the inevitable increases in number of diagnoses. This review discusses several factors and considerations that may compromise the success of cancer control programs in LMICs, particularly if the focus is only on early detection through screening and surveillance. It is intended to guide optimal implementation of cancer control programs by accentuating challenges common in LMICs and by emphasizing the importance of cancer prevention where relevant so that communities and stakeholders can work together to devise optimal means of combatting the growing burden of cancer.

scholarly journals Resources Required for Cervical Cancer Prevention in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

PLoS ONE ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. e0164000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole G. Campos ◽  
Monisha Sharma ◽  
Andrew Clark ◽  
Jane J. Kim ◽  
Stephen C. Resch
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Cancer Prevention ◽  
Cervical Cancer Prevention ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income

E-Government for Health Facilities in Africa

2015 ◽  
pp. 21-27
Author(s):  
Paul Macharia ◽  
Davies Kimanga ◽  
Onesimus Kamau
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Health Financing ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Bring Your Own Device ◽  
Workplace Flexibility ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Information And Communication

Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) face healthcare worker shortages, skill mix imbalances, and maldistributions; there is concern in their quality and productivity. Africa's infrastructural developments also are way behind the rest of the world, and this gap is widening. Scalable, cost-effective, and long-term strategies in healthcare services are greatly needed. This chapter explores how Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) could play an important role in improving healthcare. Components of e-health, an emerging field in medicine, clinical care, and public health are discussed. The role of m-health is explored, identifying the benefits of integrating mobile phone technologies in healthcare. To meet the health financing deficiencies, the chapter also explores how Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) could drive healthcare professionals' productivity through increased workplace flexibility.

scholarly journals Trade Facilitation Effects on International Trade: Evidence From Lower-Middle and Upper-Middle-Income Countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 254
Author(s):  
Alassane D. Yeo ◽  
Aimin Deng ◽  
Todine Y. Nadiedjoa
Keyword(s):  
International Trade ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Trade Facilitation ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Generalised Method Of Moments ◽  
The Impact

This paper presents an empirical analysis of the impact of trade facilitation on international trade, as well as the effects of two dimensions: hard and soft infrastructure. Using 18 primary variables, we constructed four indicators of 30 lower-middle-income and 33 upper-middle-income countries over the period 2011-2017. After applying the system-generalised method of moments (GMM), the main finding is that all trade facilitation indicators have a significant effect on exports. However, improvements in physical infrastructure are more likely to increase exports than the efficiency of borders, transport, information and communication technologies (ICTs) and institutions, from the most significant to the least significant. It is also found that the effect of hard infrastructure on exports is virtually the same as that of soft infrastructure. Hard and soft infrastructure must therefore be considered at the same level, as the effectiveness of international trade depends on both.

scholarly journals Early Detection of CKD: Implications for Low-Income, Middle-Income, and High-Income Countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (9) ◽  
pp. 1931-1940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello Tonelli ◽  
James A. Dickinson
Keyword(s):  
Early Detection ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Case Finding ◽  
High Income ◽  
Opportunity Costs ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Low And Middle Income

CKD is common, costly, and associated with adverse health outcomes. Because inexpensive treatments can slow the rate of kidney function loss, and because CKD is asymptomatic until its later stages, the idea of early detection of CKD to improve outcomes ignites enthusiasm, especially in low- and middle-income countries where renal replacement is often unavailable or unaffordable. Available data and prior experience suggest that the benefits of population-based screening for CKD are uncertain; that there is potential for harms; that screening is not a wise use of resources, even in high-income countries; and that screening has substantial opportunity costs in low- and middle-income countries that offset its hypothesized benefits. In contrast, some of the factors that diminish the value of population-based screening (such as markedly higher prevalence of CKD in people with diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, as well as high preexisting use of kidney testing in such patients) substantially increase the appeal of searching for CKD in people with known kidney risk factors (case finding) in high-income countries as well as in low- and middle-income countries. For both screening and case finding, detection of new cases is the easiest component; the real challenge is ensuring appropriate management for a chronic disease, usually for years or even decades. This review compares and contrasts the benefits, harms, and opportunity costs associated with these two approaches to early detection of CKD. We also suggest criteria (discussed separately for high-income countries and for low- and middle-income countries) to use in assessing when countries should consider case finding versus when they should consider foregoing systematic attempts at early detection and focus on management of known cases.

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