Incidence and mortality of cancer in the Volta Region of Ghana

Adadey, Samuel Mawuli; Languon, Sylvester; Ayee, Richmond; Quansah, Darius; Quaye, Osbourne

doi:10.1177/1535370220931514

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Most patients were diagnosed with advanced stage of the disease and belonged to low social class; unemployed, no tertiary education and no medical insurance. Socio-economic factors have been found to be associated with CC [ 21 ]. There was a lot of treatment interruption on radiotherapy due to machine breakdown as well as financial challenges.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cervical cancer management in Zimbabwe (2019–2020)

et al. 2022

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Background Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer amongst women, and it is especially common in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The aim of the study was to determine the current patterns and characteristics of CC management in Zimbabwe in the HIV pandemic era, including the knowledge, attitude and practice of patience. Methods The study was a mixed method which incorporated a cross-sectional survey of 408 CC patients which was conducted from October 2019 to September 2020 using an interviewer administered paper questionnaire. The study was conducted at Parirenyatwa hospital, the only cancer treating public health facility in Harare, Zimbabwe. Differences in study outcome by categorical variables were assessed using the Person Chi-square (χ2) test. Odds ratios (unadjusted and adjusted) and 95%CIs for potential risk factors associated with the outcome were estimated using logistic regression model. Results From a total of 408 CC patients recruited into the study no prevention mechanism was available or known to these patients and only 13% knew that CC is caused by Human papillomavirus. Only 87 (21%) had ever been screened for CC and 83 (97%) of those who had been screened had the visual inspection with acetic acid procedure done. Prevention (screening uptake) is statistically high among the educated (with secondary education OR = 9.497, 95%CI: 2.349–38.390; with tertiary OR = 59.381, 95%CI: 11.937–295.380). Late presentation varied statistically significantly with marital status (high among the divorced, OR = 2.866; 95% CI: 1.549–5.305 and widowed OR = 1.997; 95% CI: 1.112–3.587), was low among the educated (Tertiary OR = .393; 95% CI: .166-.934), low among those living in the rural (OR = .613; 95% CI: .375-.987), high among those with higher parity OR = 1.294; 95% CI: 1.163–1.439). Less than 1% of the patients had surgery done as a means of treatment. Radiotherapy was administered to 350 (86%) of the patients compared to chemotherapy administered to 155 (38%). A total of 350 (86%) have failed to take medication due to its unavailability, while 344 (85%) missed taking medication due to unaffordability. Complementary and alternative medicines were utilized by 235 (58%). Majority, 278 (68%) were HIV positive, mainly pronounced within age (36–49 years OR = 12.673; 95% CI: 2.110–76.137), among those with higher education (secondary education OR = 4.981; 95%CI: 1.394–17.802 and in those with no co-morbidities (893.956; 95%CI: 129.611–6165.810). Conclusion CC management was inadequate from prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and palliative care hence there is need to improve CC management in Zimbabwe if morbidity and mortality are to be reduced to acceptable levels. Education helped improve prevention, but reduces chances of diagnosis, working as a doubled edged sword in CC management Prevention was high among the educated. Those in rural areas experience poor CC management. It should be noted that general education is good; however it must be complimented by CC awareness to improve CC management outcomes holistically. Cervical cancer management services need to be decentralized so that those in rural areas have easy access. Given that those with co-morbidities and high parity have better CC management, CC services need to be tied to co-morbidity and antenatal/post-natal care and management services.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cervical cancer management in Zimbabwe (2019–2020)

et al. 2022

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“…Similarly, there were 17,418 abdominal wall hernia repairs alone, more than all cancer operations combined [22]. To our knowledge, this is the only nationwide population‐based report of cancer surgical volume from an LMIC [23–27].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Global Surgical Oncology Benchmarks: Defining the Unmet Need for Cancer Surgery in Ghana

et al. 2021

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Background The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery (LCoGS) recommended an annual surgical rate at which low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) could achieve most of the population‐wide benefits of surgery. However, condition‐specific guidelines were not proposed. To inform rates of surgery for cancer, we sought to assess the current met and unmet need for oncologic surgery in Ghana. Methods Data on all operations performed in Ghana over a one‐year period (2014–15) were obtained from representative samples of 48/124 first‐level and 12/16 referral hospitals and scaled‐up for nationwide estimates. Procedures for cancer were identified by indication. Using modified LCoGS methodology with disease prevalence, Ghana's annual rate of cancer surgery was compared to that of New Zealand to quantify current unmet needs. Results 232,776 surgical procedures were performed in Ghana; 2,562 procedures (95%UI 1878–3255) were for cancer. Of these, 964 (37%) were surgical biopsies. The annual rate of procedures treating cancer was 2115 surgeries/100,000 cancer cases, or 21% of the New Zealand benchmark. Cervical, breast, and prostate cancer were found to meet 2.1%, 17.2%, and 32.1% of their respective surgical need. Conclusions There is a large unmet need for cancer surgery in Ghana. Cancer surgery constitutes under 2% of the total surgeries performed in Ghana, an important proportion of which are used for biopsies. Therapeutic operative rate is deficient across most cancer types, and may lag behind improvements in screening efforts. As cancer prevalence and diagnosis increase in LMICs, cancer‐specific surgical capacity must be increased to meet these evolving needs.

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Factors Influencing the Practice of Breast Self-Examination among Female Tertiary Students in Ho, Ghana

Amegbedzi

Komesuor

Amu

et al. 2022

Advances in Public Health

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Background. Despite the implementation of various interventions towards the reduction of breast cancer prevalence, many women still report late symptoms to health facilities, and this decreases their chances of survival. Breast self-examination (BSE) is the most convenient form of examination to detect the development of breast cancer. We examined the factors that influence the practice of breast self-examination among female tertiary students in Ho, Volta Region of Ghana. Methods. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that recruited 506 female students from four tertiary institutions in the Ho Municipality in Ghana using questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics comprising frequency, percentage, Chi-square, and binary logistic regression were used in analyzing the data. Results. About 73% of the respondents had ever practised BSE. Out of the respondents who have ever practiced BSE, 79% were practising it at the time of the study. Students in their fourth year were above 4 times more likely (95% CI = 1.73–9.29, p = 0.014 ) to practise BSE than those in their first year. Also, students with good knowledge of BSE were 4 times more likely to practice BSE [(95% CI = 1.1–13.46), p = 0.036 ] and students with good perception about BSE were 12 times more likely to practice BSE [(95% CI = 1.21–122.73), p = 0.034 ]. Conclusion. The study found that 27% of the female students had never practised BSE. Those who practice BSE did not practice regularly and appropriately. Also, good knowledge and perception are associated with the practice of BSE. The implication of this result is the late presentation of breast cancer cases to health facilities and increases in breast cancer-related deaths in the country. Therefore, it is recommended that the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, and other stakeholders in Ghana’s healthcare should develop and implement innovative approaches and policies such as peer and support groups’ learning, and mass media BSE awareness aimed at ensuring better understanding and access to BSE education. This should be intensified during the foundation years such as the secondary and tertiary education levels to ensure the adoption of breast self-examination practice. It is also recommended that another study must be done using a qualitative approach to get an in-depth understanding of the steps and ways, by which female students practice BSE.

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Incidence and mortality of cancer in the Volta Region of Ghana

Cited by 3 publications

References 41 publications

Cervical cancer management in Zimbabwe (2019–2020)

Cervical cancer management in Zimbabwe (2019–2020)

Improving Global Surgical Oncology Benchmarks: Defining the Unmet Need for Cancer Surgery in Ghana

Factors Influencing the Practice of Breast Self-Examination among Female Tertiary Students in Ho, Ghana

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