Good clinical practice advice for the management of patients with gynaecological cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria and other resource-constrained countries

Okunade, Kehinde Sharafadeen; Okunowo, Adeyemi Adebola; Ohazurike, Ephraim; Anorlu, Rose

doi:10.3332/ecancer.2020.1075

Cited by 6 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…In some institutions, there was outright suspension of cancer care services. 10 The situation has improved with increasing awareness. As of now, more patients with cancer are being treated.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cancer and COVID-19 Experiences at African Cancer Centers: The Silver Lining

Grossheim¹,

Ruff

Ngoma

et al. 2021

JCO Global Oncology

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PURPOSE The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted cancer care in Africa, further exposing major health disparities. This paper compares and contrasts the experiences of 15 clinicians in six different African cancer centers to highlight the positive aspects (silver linings) in an otherwise negative situation. METHODS Data are from personal experience of the clinicians working at the six cancer centers blended with what is available in the literature. RESULTS The impact of COVID-19 on cancer care appeared to vary not only across the continent but also over cancer centers. Different factors such as clinic location, services offered, available resources, and level of restrictions imposed because of COVID-19 were associated with these variations. Collectively, delays in treatment and limited access to cancer care were commonly reported in the different regions. CONCLUSION There is a lack of data on cancer patients with COVID-19 and online COVID-19 and cancer registries for Africa. Analysis of the available data, however, suggests a higher mortality rate for cancer patients with COVID-19 compared with those without cancer. Positive or silver linings coming out of the pandemic include the adoption of hypofractionated radiation therapy and teleoncology to enhance access to care while protecting patients and staff members. Increasing collaborations using online technology with oncology health professionals across the world are also being seen as a silver lining, with valuable sharing of experiences and expertise to improve care, enhance learning, and reduce disparities. Advanced information and communication technologies are seen as vital for such collaborations and could avail efforts in dealing with the ongoing pandemic and potential future crises.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cancer and COVID-19 Experiences at African Cancer Centers: The Silver Lining

Grossheim¹,

Ruff

Ngoma

et al. 2021

JCO Global Oncology

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“…Hence, the role of TBAs in women's health in Nigeria cannot be overlooked. Maternity care guidelines during COVID-19 emphasise continuous care provided by skilled birth attendants, with adaptations to minimise non-urgent contact, including adopting telemedicine to maintain WHO's standard eight prenatal visits [23,24]. However, telemedicine is not widely available in Nigeria.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions and experiences of maternity care workers during COVID-19 pandemic in Lagos State, Nigeria; a qualitative study

Leung

Olufunlayo

Olateju

et al. 2022

BMC Health Serv Res

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Background The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic challenges provision and access to essential maternity care in low-resilience health systems. The aim of this study was to explore maternity healthcare workers’ experiences of, and perceptions about providing maternity care during the COVID-19 outbreak in Lagos State, Nigeria. Methods This qualitative study conducted individual, remote, semi-structured interviews with midwives and traditional birth attendants (TBAs). Eligible participants spoke English, and provided maternity care during COVID-19 in Lagos, Nigeria. Participants were recruited via purposive and snowball sampling, from primary health facilities in seven Local Government Areas of Lagos State. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically following the framework method. Results Sixteen midwives (n = 11) and TBAs (n = 5) were interviewed from March to April 2021. Two overarching themes were identified from the data. ‘Maternity care workers’ willingness and ability to work during the COVID-19 pandemic’ outlined negative influences (fear and uncertainty, risk of infection, burnout, transport difficulties), and positive influences (professional duty, faith, family and employer support). Suggestions to improve ability to work included adequate protective equipment, training, financial support, and workplace flexibility. ‘Perceived impact of COVID-19 on women’s access and uptake of maternity care’ highlighted reduced access and uptake of antenatal and immunisation services by women. Challenges included overstretched health services, movement and cost barriers, and community fear of health facilities. Participants reported delayed healthcare seeking and unattended home births. Midwives and TBAs identified a need for community outreach to raise awareness for women to safely access maternity services. Participants highlighted the responsibility of the government to improve staff welfare, and to implement public health campaigns. Conclusions Despite disruption to maternity care access and delivery due to COVID-19, midwives and TBAs in Lagos remained committed to their role in caring for women and babies. Nevertheless, participants highlighted issues of understaffing and mistrust in Lagos’ underfunded maternity care system. Our findings suggest that future resilience during outbreaks depends on equipping maternity care workers with adequate working conditions and training, to rebuild public trust and improve access to maternity care.

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“…The National Cancer Grid of India meanwhile appears to be finalising a set of official guidelines for cancer management during the COVID-19 outbreak [ 20 ]. Published literature from the African region were generally scanty, with mostly covering institutional responses to COVID-19 [ 21 – 22 ]. Country-specific recommendations also appear limited in the LMICs in Europe.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contingency planning for cancer care in low- and middle-income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic: a rapid assessment for future disaster resilience

Teoh¹,

Hoo²,

Murillo³

et al. 2022

ecancer

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Background: Many countries appear to be ill-prepared in their emergency responses towards the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, particularly in managing chronic diseases such as cancer. We aimed to gain insight on the preparedness of health systems within low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) in maintaining delivery of cancer care amid the pandemic. Methods:We performed a rapid review of publications focusing on emergency contingency plans for cancer care during the pandemic in LMICs. An online desk research was conducted to identify relevant policy documents, guidelines or scientific publications.Results: Very few LMICs had readily accessible documents to ensure continuity in delivery of cancer care during the pandemic. A majority of publications were focused on delivery of cancer treatment whereas early detection, diagnosis and delivery of supportive and survivorship care received very little attention. Far fewer of the published guidelines appear to have been formulated at the national level by governmental agencies. A vast majority of publications constituted consensus guidelines from professional societies, followed by sharing of best practices from local institutions. Overall, three main strategies have been recommended to maintain delivery of cancer care amid the pandemic in LMICs: 1) Modification of cancer treatment regimens, 2) Changes in methods of administration of curative and supportive cancer care and 3) Implementation of generic measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection in healthcare settings. Conclusion:All LMICs should consider collating best practices from the current pandemic and translating them into an explicit cancer preparedness plan, which can be escalated during future disasters.

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Good clinical practice advice for the management of patients with gynaecological cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria and other resource-constrained countries

Cited by 6 publications

References 21 publications

Cancer and COVID-19 Experiences at African Cancer Centers: The Silver Lining

Cancer and COVID-19 Experiences at African Cancer Centers: The Silver Lining

Perceptions and experiences of maternity care workers during COVID-19 pandemic in Lagos State, Nigeria; a qualitative study

Contingency planning for cancer care in low- and middle-income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic: a rapid assessment for future disaster resilience

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