Behavioural oncology research in Africa: Lessons from the last two decades and key considerations moving forward
Corresponding Author
Elochukwu Fortune Ezenwankwo
Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Cancer Research Initiative, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Correspondence
Elochukwu Fortune Ezenwankwo, Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorVeronica Ebere Ogbodo
College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
Search for more papers by this authorGrace Ogonnaya Alom
College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
Search for more papers by this authorIjeoma Blessing Nwadilibe
College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
Search for more papers by this authorChidimma Mirian Ofodum
Division of Public Health and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
Search for more papers by this authorChidimma Amarachukwu Nwankwo
College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
Search for more papers by this authorCallistus Chukwunwendu Okigbo
College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
Search for more papers by this authorChidimma Avemaria Omeje
College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
Search for more papers by this authorSomto Joseph Onyebuchi
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorCatherine Adebukola Oladoyimbo
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
Search for more papers by this authorAdaora Ezeani
Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium, UF, Gainesville, Florida, USA
Search for more papers by this authorElizabeth Oluwatoyin Akin-Odanye
Department of Clinical Psychology, University College Hospital Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria
Search for more papers by this authorMotolani Ogunsanya
College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Elochukwu Fortune Ezenwankwo
Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Cancer Research Initiative, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Correspondence
Elochukwu Fortune Ezenwankwo, Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorVeronica Ebere Ogbodo
College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
Search for more papers by this authorGrace Ogonnaya Alom
College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
Search for more papers by this authorIjeoma Blessing Nwadilibe
College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
Search for more papers by this authorChidimma Mirian Ofodum
Division of Public Health and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
Search for more papers by this authorChidimma Amarachukwu Nwankwo
College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
Search for more papers by this authorCallistus Chukwunwendu Okigbo
College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
Search for more papers by this authorChidimma Avemaria Omeje
College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
Search for more papers by this authorSomto Joseph Onyebuchi
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorCatherine Adebukola Oladoyimbo
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
Search for more papers by this authorAdaora Ezeani
Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium, UF, Gainesville, Florida, USA
Search for more papers by this authorElizabeth Oluwatoyin Akin-Odanye
Department of Clinical Psychology, University College Hospital Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria
Search for more papers by this authorMotolani Ogunsanya
College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
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. Research gaps/opportunities available for behavioural oncology research in Africa were further highlighted.
Results
Two hundred eighty-seven original research with findings from Africa has been published over the last two decades, with the highest contribution arising from Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa. Cervical and breast cancers were the most widely investigated. Prominently studied behaviours relate to cancer screening, health literacy, lifestyle, and vaccination. Behavioural oncology literature in Africa is generally in Phases I and III and lacks in measurement studies (<2%) and studies that seek to evaluate behaviour change/health promotion interventions (<6%) or translate them into practice (13.2%).
Conclusion
Embracing new and progressive approaches, including methodological/analytical paradigms and implementation science is imperative to advance the frontiers of behavioural oncology research in Africa. This calls for a responsive research approach that can mobilise multidisciplinary/multilevel coalitions, ensuring a research structure that effectively integrates behavioural research and cancer prevention/control in the region.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Open Research
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT
The data that support the findings of this study are available in the supporting information of this article.
Supporting Information
| Filename | Description |
|---|---|
| ecc13545-sup-0001-Additional file 1.docxWord 2007 document , 16 KB |
Table S1. Initial search strategy in PubMed* |
| ecc13545-sup-0002-Additional_File_2.docxWord 2007 document , 144.9 KB |
Table S2. Behavioural oncology research in Africa mapped against the Behavioural Epidemiology Framework |
| ecc13545-sup-0003-Additional File 3.docxWord 2007 document , 82.9 KB |
Supporting info item |
Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.
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