Publications by authors named "Sarah Nyagabona"
Objective: Few studies characterizing clinical outcomes of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients in sub-Saharan Africa report the proportion of patients who initiate and complete treatment, information integral to contextualizing survival outcomes. This retrospective cohort study describes HNC patients who presented to Muhimbili National Hospital and Ocean Road Cancer Institute in 2018, the highest-volume oncology tertiary referral centers in Tanzania. Logistic regression was applied to assess predictors of treatment initiation and completion.
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- A middle-aged woman experienced chronic foot arthritis that led to a non-healing ulcer, which didn't respond to standard treatments.
- After developing neurological issues, she was treated with antitubercular medications that healed the ulcer but caused other serious complications, including cerebral tuberculoma and tuberculous meningitis.
- Despite efforts for diagnosis and treatment, she ultimately died from the complications and a likely hospital-acquired infection, underscoring the difficulties in identifying rare disease presentations in endemic regions.
Introduction: Due to the significant resources involved in creating HSCT programs there is a significant disparity in the availability of this treatment modality between the developed and developing countries. This manuscript details the process and the outcomes of the first HSCT program in East Africa which was started at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
Materials And Methods: Information and data were collected on the processes which had been implemented for starting the HSCT program at MNH.
Background: The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, in Africa is rising. Policymakers are charged with formulating evidence-based cancer control plans; however, there is a paucity of data on cancers generated from within Africa. As part of efforts to enhance cancer research training in East Africa, we performed a needs assessment and gap analysis of cancer-related research training resources in Tanzania.
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- Junior researchers’ productivity is closely linked to the quality of mentorship they receive, particularly at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) in Tanzania, which has developed a research group to enhance clinical and research capabilities.
- ORCI focuses on cancer treatment and has a strong early detection program for cervical cancer, supported by two decades of training for its physicians in the USA and Europe, which has fostered collaborative research efforts.
- The establishment of a Research Club by ORCI clinicians aims to advance cancer research initiatives in Tanzania, but mentorship is essential for effectively applying research methods and leveraging clinical data for meaningful outcomes.
Article Synopsis
- The Ministry of Health in Tanzania introduced National Cancer Treatment Guidelines in February 2020 to enhance and standardize cancer care across the country, particularly at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI).
- In June 2019, focus group discussions involving 21 oncology clinicians revealed both internal and external factors impacting the delivery of guideline-based care, highlighting issues like infrastructure, communication, and public awareness.
- The findings led to actionable strategies aimed at overcoming barriers and boosting the implementation of the TNCTG at ORCI, ultimately seeking to improve cancer treatment in Tanzania.
Purpose: Albinism affects some facets of the eye's function and coloration, as well as hair and skin color. The prevalence of albinism is estimated to be one in 2,000-5,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa and one in 270 in Tanzania. People in Tanzania with albinism experience sociocultural and economic disparities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Despite recent international efforts to develop resource-stratified clinical practice guidelines for cancer, there has been little research to evaluate the best strategies for dissemination and implementation in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Guideline publication alone is insufficient. Extensive research has shown that structured, multifaceted implementation strategies that target barriers to guideline use are most likely to improve adherence; however, most of this research has been conducted in high-income countries.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: East Africa is one of the fastest growing regions in the world and faces a rising burden of cancer; however, few people are equipped to effectively conduct research in this area.
Materials And Methods: A 31-item questionnaire was distributed to current trainees and recent graduates of the Master in Medicine in Clinical Oncology Program at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences in Tanzania. Areas that were assessed included (a) demographic information, (b) prior research training, (c) prior and current research activities, (d) attitudes toward the importance of research, and (e) supports and barriers to inclusion of research in an oncology career path.