An integrative review of South African cancer nursing research published from 2002–2012

Abstract

Background: This integrative review aimed to quantify the publication output of South African cancer nursing research conducted between 2002 and 2012 and to identify key trends relevant to cancer nurse researchers. Objectives:To describe the publication output of cancer nursing research in terms of the journals of publication, authors, focus, participants and methods used, to explore whether the published work was funded and to assess the quality of the studies published.Methods: An integrative review was conducted using the key words South Africa in combination with cancer nursing and oncology nursing to search the databases Pubmed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Sabinet, Web of Science, Medline and OvidSP. A data extraction sheet was developed to document the required information from each paper and all publications were reviewed independently by the authors.Results: A total of 181 publications for potential inclusion were identified and 26 papers were included in this review. Cervical cancer, specifically the prevention of this disease, was the most popular diagnostic focus and theme of investigation. Most of the studies were descriptive and none of the studies met the criteria of the highest quality. Conclusion:Nursing added to the body of knowledge regarding the primary and secondary prevention of cancer. There is a need for work on both men and women diagnosed with the most common cancers, as well as the family and care giver. There is also a need for multidisciplinary work using complex interventions focusing on symptom management to improve patient outcomes. Introduction Problem statementThe significance of this article lies in the fact that it is the first review of South African cancer nursing research. South Africa, as a developing country, is an anomaly as it is both developed with a good infrastructure and developing, as it faces huge social and economic challenges, with a large gap between the poor dependent on developing aid and skilled professionals (Layne 1998:183). South Africa therefore faces the health challenges applicable to both the developed and developing world. In addition to primary and secondary cancer prevention, South African nursing research should be able to inform nurses practising in both the private healthcare system and the public sector, as both sectors provide patient services using sophisticated treatment (Abratt & Vorobiof 2003:395). It is not clear how many people are diagnosed with cancer annually as the histological-based National Cancer Registry only reflects data up to 2005 (National Health Laboratory Service 2012). However, it is estimated that one in six South African men and one in seven South African women will develop cancer during their lifetime (health24 2013). According to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) (CANSA 2012), the most prevalent cancers in women are breast, cervical, unknown primary site, colorectal and uterine cancer. In men, the most prevalent are prostate, unknown primary site, lung, colorectal and oesophagus cancer. Cancer patients experience va...

Cancer Nursing Research Output in Africa 2005 to 2014

“…20 In addition, mixed-method studies were assessed using the criteria outlined by O'Cathain et al 21 and case studies using Stake's instrument outlined by Crowe et al 22 These instruments were also used in the South African review. 19 The researchers used the same instruments, as it allowed comparison of the work using the same criteria and possibly simplifying future comparisons.…”

“…19 Quantitative research was assessed using the 3-point grading scale developed by Mann, 2 and qualitative work used the rating system developed by Cesario and colleagues. 20 In addition, mixed-method studies were assessed using the criteria outlined by O'Cathain et al 21 and case studies using Stake's instrument outlined by Crowe et al 22 These instruments were also used in the South African review.…”

Clinical nursing and midwifery research in African countries: A scoping review

“…For the purpose of this review, we define clinical nursing research as research conducted at the individual patient or client level, which includes at least one patient-related outcome. One integrative review examined only cancer nursing research (Maree and Schmollgruber, 2014); the other reviewed all nursing research (including organizational, policy-driven or pedagogical), limiting the ability to identify gaps in current clinical nursing research (Adejumo and LekalakalaMokgele, 2009). A scoping review allows for the mapping of a broad spectrum of research and can be used to inform future research (Arksey and O'Malley, 2005).…”

On being a caregiver: The experiences of South African family caregivers caring for cancer patients

“…Although the years 2000 to 2010 are seen as the period in which remarkable work was done in terms of research on the family caregiver of cancer patients (Fletcher, Miaskowski, Given, & Schumacher, ), the same trend does not apply to Africa, as families and caregivers are some of the under‐researched areas identified (Maree, Herbert, & Huiskamp, ; Maree & Schmollgruber, ; Molassiotis et al., ). Whether research from the developed world can inform Africa's cancer care providers is debatable.…”