Prevalence and clinicopathological characteristics of de novo metastatic cancer at a major radiotherapy centre in West Africa: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Cancer is a major public health challenge in West Africa, with a significant proportion of cancer-related deaths attributed to distant metastasis. De novo metastatic cancer (DnMC), where metastasis is detected at diagnosis, presents considerable therapeutic challenges, particularly in limited-resource settings where novel treatments are often unavailable and/or unaffordable.

Aim: To determine the prevalence, incidence and clinicopathological characteristics of patients diagnosed with DnMC at a major radiotherapy center in West Africa.

Outcomes and Toxicities After Treatment for Men Diagnosed With Localized Prostate Cancer in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: Current management for clinically localized prostate cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) includes surgery, external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), and brachytherapy either alone or in combination, with plus or minus hormone therapy. The toxicity profiles and oncological outcomes of these treatment modalities vary. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence of treatment-related outcomes and toxicities for men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer in LMICs.

Setting up a new radiation therapy centre in Malawi: Opportunities and challenges.

Radiotherapy (RT) is one of the three pillars of cancer treatment (with surgery and systemic therapies) and has proven to be a cost-effective modality for curative and palliative treatment. In low and middle-income countries, access to RT treatment is limited posing many challenges to patients and caregivers. Many patients living in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as Malawi spend enormous sums of money to be treated abroad, through Government schemes, or, more commonly, go without treatment.

Radiation therapist education and the changing landscape in Africa.

In the changing global landscape, education programs for radiation therapists (RTTs), also known as therapeutic radiographers or radiation therapy technologists, at higher education institutions (HEIs) are non-existent in many African countries. In countries with local RTT education programs, there is evidence of a wide variety of qualification types, including in-house training, diploma and degree offerings. However, what is consistent is the integrated curriculum approach to classroom theory and clinical work-based learning that across the continent follows the general structure of a work-integrated learning (WIL) approach, to enhance clinical competence and meet the needs of the health sector.

A dosimetric evaluation of intensity modulated radiotherapy and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for prostate cancer in Ghana.

External beam radiotherapy incorporates treatment techniques such as three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), image-guided radiotherapy and volumetric modulated arc therapy to deliver high-energy radiation to cancer. The use of IMRT for cancer treatment is also associated with significant costs for patients in low-middle-income countries. The purpose of this study was to compare the dosimetric properties of 3DCRT and IMRT treatment plans for the external beam irradiation of patients with prostate cancer (Pca) to ascertain the superiority of IMRT in terms of dose homogeneity, conformity and dose limitation to organs at risk (OAR) in a resource-limited setting.

Assessment of malnutrition in patients undergoing chemotherapy at the National Oncology Centre of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.

Background: Globally, cancer is on the rise despite several interventions. The link between nutrition and cancer has long been established with the consequences of poor nutrition on cancer pathway being dire. Early nutrition intervention is recommended for all cancer patients.

Incidence and severity of acute radiation induced toxicities among breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant radiotherapy at a major cancer treatment center in Ghana.

Background: Adjuvant radiotherapy after mastectomy or breast conserving surgery (BCS) is the standard of care for majority of patients with breast cancer. This is however associated with mucosal and epidermal toxicity of organs at risk (OARs). Breast cancer patients are exposed to a plethora of wrong perceptions, misinformation and myths concerning the usefulness and adverse effects of radiotherapy.

Promoting sustainability activities in clinical radiography practice and education in resource-limited countries: A discussion paper.

Objective: Urgent global action is required to combat climate change, with radiographers poised to play a significant role in reducing healthcare's environmental impact. This paper explores radiography-related activities and factors in resource-limited departments contributing to the carbon footprint and proposes strategies for mitigation. The rationale is to discuss the literature regarding these contributing factors and to raise awareness about how to promote sustainability activities in clinical radiography practice and education in resource-limited countries.

Radiation-induced dermatitis among breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy in Ghana.

The aim of the study was to investigate radiation-induced epidermal desquamation among breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy with 6MV linac and Co-60 teletherapy units. METHOD: Quantitative data was collected using self-administered closed ended questionnaires addressing the desquamation in relation to some patient-and treatment-related factors. The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) criteria for acute skin toxicity was used to grade the toxicity.

Assessment of average glandular dose in mammography practice of a teaching hospital in Ghana.

Introduction: above the age of 40, women are advised to begin breast examinations and screenings for early detection of breast cancer. The average glandular dose (AGD) provides dosimetric information about the quantity of radiation received by the mammary glands during mammographic exposures. There is, therefore, the need to analyse the radiation dose received by patients presenting for mammography examinations.

The emergence of telemedicine in a low-middle-income country: challenges and opportunities.

The quality of cancer care delivery varies across different regions of Ghana, highlighting the need for improved access to quality healthcare services. Telemedicine has emerged as a promising solution to address this disparity, as it can reduce costs and improve access to healthcare services for cancer patients in remote areas. Despite the widely reported benefits of telemedicine, its adoption in low-resource settings has been slow due to several challenges.

Survival rate of cervical cancer: a five year review at a Major Teaching Hospital in Ghana, West Africa.

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among females in Ghana. Despite the magnitude of the public health challenge posed by CC in Ghana, survival data as well as reported incidence and mortality rates are primarily based on studies conducted in the capital city of the country. Even though age at diagnosis is known to affect the overall survival of CC patients, the role of this factor in the prognosis of CC patients in Ghana has not been sufficiently explored.

Biochemical outcome after curative treatment for localized prostate cancer with external beam radiotherapy: a cross-sectional study.

Although many patients who receive definitive radiotherapy (RT) for localised prostate cancer (CaP) experience long-term disease-free survival and better quality of life, some also have biochemical progression during follow-up. Oftentimes this implies additional treatment for patients with the accompanying challenges of cumulative treatment side effects, inconvenience and financial toxicity. This study retrospectively assessed the clinicopathological characteristics and biochemical outcomes of patients treated for localised CaP with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) between 2015 and 2020 at a major cancer treatment centre in Accra, Ghana.

The sexuality of women with cervical cancer undergoing definitive radiotherapy in Ghana.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess the sexuality of cervical cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy at a major cancer treatment center in Ghana. This is an area of interest as globally; cervical cancer kills approximately 342,000 people per annum with an estimated number of 604,000 new cases in 2020. Acknowledging the World Health Organization's definition of sexual health as a state of physical, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality, this paper sheds light on how these dimensions affect the quality of life of cervical cancer patients.

Diversities in the place of delivery choice: a study among expectant mothers in Ghana.

Background: In this study, the factors that influence the choice of place of delivery among expectant mothers in both rural and urban settings in the northern part of Ghana were identified and compared using the conceptual framework provided by Thaddeus and Maine.

Methods: A mixed-method study was used to examine expectant mothers and their responses related to factors that affect their choice of place of delivery through a concurrent triangulation using health professional interviews and a detailed participant survey. The sample consisted of 552 expectant mothers between the ages of 15 and 49 years.

Financial toxicity of cancer care in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The costs associated with cancer diagnosis, treatment and care present enormous financial toxicity. However, evidence of financial toxicity associated with cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is scarce.

Aim: To determine the prevalence, determinants and how financial toxicity has been measured among cancer patients in LMICs.

Antiretroviral therapy adherence and viral suppression among HIV-infected adolescents and young adults at a tertiary hospital in Ghana.

With the introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART), many HIV-infected children are growing into adolescence and adulthood. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Fevers Unit of one of the teaching hospitals in Ghana. The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) and pill count were used to assess adherence, while measured viral load levels of participants were used to assess viral suppression.

Factors associated with the appropriate use of asthma medications among adult asthmatic patients attending asthma clinic in a teaching hospital.

Introduction: asthma tends to be more severe with worse symptoms in Africa due to late diagnosis and delayed initiation of treatment. To identify patient and treatment-related factors which influence the appropriate use of asthma medications.

Methods: the study was institution based cross-sectional design.

Radiological determination of the cranial index of present-day Ghanaians.

The cranial index (CI) of Ghanaians is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to measure the CI in a population of Ghanaians in order to classify them against pre-determined CI categories. A systematic random sampling method was used to select 300 normal computed tomography (CT) head scans of adult Ghanaians from the largest hospital in Ghana.

Assessment of clinical outcome and health insurance coverage among patients with breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a global health concern in terms of morbidity and mortality. Risksharing mechanisms such as health insurance provide resources and promote access to healthcare. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between health insurance coverage and clinical outcome of breast cancer patients.

Quality of life among cervical cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.

Introduction: There has been an increasing rate of the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in Ghana. Cancer and the treatment's side effects have adverse effects on the patients and this affects patient's well-being and lifestyle during and after radiotherapy. The study sought to assess the impact of demographic and clinical characteristics on Quality of Life (QoL) among cervical cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy in Ghana.

Sexual and reproductive health of adolescents in schools for people with disabilities.

Introduction: Persons with disabilities have the same sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs as the abled people but they often face barriers to SRH information and services which are necessary for healthy and safe relationships, protection from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study sought to access the SRH services among adolescents with disabilities in four Special Needs Schools in Ghana.

Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional study design with a quantitative approach to data collection between the months of January to March, 2018.

Socio-demographic determinants of body mass index among school children in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Background: African specific studies on the factors associated with the growth pattern of children are needed to guide evidence and develop effective population-based interventions that can be tailored to the unique African context.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the socio-economic correlates of body mass index (BMI) of primary and secondary school children in Ebonyi State, which is situated in south-eastern Nigeria.

Methodology: This was a quantitative, cross-sectional study that utilised clustering and stratified sampling techniques to select 1000 learners from primary and secondary schools located in Abakaliki local government area.