Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://dx.doi.org/10.25673/115066
Title: Pathways and referral of patients with cancer in rural Ethiopia : a multi-center retrospective cohort study
Author(s): Trabitzsch, Josephin
Wondimagegnehu, Abigiya
Afework, Tsion
Stoeter, Ole
Gizaw, Muluken
Getachew Kelbore, SefoniasLook up in the Integrated Authority File of the German National Library
Feyisa, Jilcha Diribi
Taylor, Lesley
Wienke, AndreasLook up in the Integrated Authority File of the German National Library
Addissie, AdamuLook up in the Integrated Authority File of the German National Library
Kantelhardt, Eva JohannaLook up in the Integrated Authority File of the German National Library
Issue Date: 2023
Type: Article
Language: English
Abstract: Introduction: Well-organized patient pathways are essential to achieve early diagnosis and timely treatment of patients with cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa. This retrospective cohort study describes pathways and referral patterns of cancer patients in rural Ethiopia. Patients and Methods: The retrospective study took place from October to December 2020 at 2 primary- and 6 secondary-level hospitals in southwestern Ethiopia. Of 681 eligible patients diagnosed with cancer between July 2017 and June 2020, 365 patients were included. Structured interviews on the patients’ pathways were conducted by telephone. The primary outcome was successful referral, which was defined as occurring when the intended procedure was initiated at the receiving institution. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with successful referrals. Results: Patients visited on average 3 health care institutions from their first encounter with a provider until their final treatment initiation. After diagnosis, only 26% (95) of patients were referred for further cancer treatment, of which 73% were successful. Patients referred for diagnostic tests were 10 times more likely to complete referrals successfully than patients referred for treatment. Overall, 21% of all patients remained without any therapy. Conclusion: We found that referral pathways of patients with cancer in rural Ethiopia were largely cohesive. The majority of patients referred for diagnostic or treatment services followed the advice. Nevertheless, an unacceptable number of patients remained without any treatment. Capacity for cancer diagnosis and treatment at primary- and secondary-level health facilities in rural Ethiopia must be expanded to enable early detection and timely care.
URI: https://opendata.uni-halle.de//handle/1981185920/117022
http://dx.doi.org/10.25673/115066
Open Access: Open access publication
License: (CC BY 4.0) Creative Commons Attribution 4.0(CC BY 4.0) Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
Journal Title: The oncologist
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publisher Place: Oxford
Volume: 28
Issue: 6
Original Publication: 10.1093/oncolo/oyad032
Page Start: 359
Page End: 368
Appears in Collections:Open Access Publikationen der MLU

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