Psychosocial and palliative care in African national cancer control plans: A qualitative study.

Objective: Low and middle income countries of Africa account for a disproportionate amount of the global health burden of cancer. Providing patients access to psychosocial oncology and palliative care through policy structures such as the National Cancer Control Plans (NCCP) is essential to improving the care provided to patients and their families. The first phase of this study sought to determine the extent to which palliative care and psychosocial oncology were integrated in NCCPs in African countries.

Effect of a novel pilot support group on distress and quality of life in breast cancer patients in Nigeria.

Objective: To assess the effect of a new breast cancer support group (BCSG) on breast cancer patients' self-reported distress and quality of life.

Methods: A single arm pre-post trial providing an eight session healthcare provider led BCSG. Primary outcome variables were distress and quality of life assessed using the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer (DT) and The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Breast plus Arm Morbidity (FACT-B+4), respectively.

Food insecurity among university students in the United States amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: This study reports on food insecurity (FI) amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participants And Methods: College students in four regions of the US completed the two-item validated Hunger Vital Sign™ screening tool on Qualtrics.

Results: FI increased significantly after March 2020 among US students (worry about food running out: 25% to 35%; food did not last: 17% to 21%) with significant regional increase in the Midwest and South.

Behavioural oncology research in Africa: Lessons from the last two decades and key considerations moving forward.

Objective: To analyse the state of behavioural oncology research in Africa and outline key considerations for future research.

Methods: Five bibliographic databases were searched to identify original English-language articles published between January 2000 and August 2020. The Behavioural Epidemiology Framework was applied to studies with data/findings from Africa to delineate their current state.

Impact of stigma and stigma-focused interventions on screening and treatment outcomes in cancer patients.

Background: Stigma is known to negatively influence cancer patients' psychosocial behaviour and treatment outcomes. The aim of this study was to systematically review the current data on cancer-related stigma across different populations and identify effective interventions used to address it.

Methodology: The protocol, search, appraisal, synthesis, analysis and reporting framework was used for conducting this systematic literature review.

PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON STUDENTS AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING.

Students at higher institutions of learning are more susceptible to psychosocial problems compared to the general public. These may further be exacerbated by the measures put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19. This mixed methods study examined the factors associated with the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on students' financial stability, interpersonal relationships and worries related to achieving academic milestones.

Impact of active coping, religion and acceptance on quality of life of patients with breast cancer in the department of radiotherapy, UCH, Ibadan.

Background: A breast cancer diagnosis as well as the treatment that follows has considerable consequences on women's physical functioning, psychological health and overall well-being, resulting in significant interference with patients' quality of life (QoL).

Purpose: The study seeks to assess the impact of active coping, religion and acceptance on the QoL of patients with breast cancer.

Participants: This study, which is descriptive in nature, assessed the QoL and coping mechanism of 110 patients with breast cancer receiving treatment at the radiotherapy clinic in the University College Hospital (UCH).