scholarly journals Improving Care for Children With Cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa Through Distance-Based Nursing Education

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 31-31
Author(s):  
Marilyn Hockenberry ◽  
Tadala Mulemba ◽  
Aisha Nedege ◽  
Kitsiso Madumetse ◽  
Jennifer Higgins
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Education ◽  
Pediatric Oncology ◽  
Core Competencies ◽  
Course Evaluation ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Oncology Nursing ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Dynamic Learning ◽  
Children With Cancer ◽  
Sub Saharan

PURPOSE Nursing specialization in the care of children with cancer provides the foundation for implementing successful pediatric oncology treatment programs throughout the world. Whereas the burden of childhood cancer care is highest in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), opportunities for continuing nursing specialization are extremely limited. The Global HOPE Initiative, part of Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, TX, has developed and implemented a distance-based training program for nurses working in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS After a needs assessment, the program was developed using the Internet-based, open-sourced education platform, MOODLE. MOODLE is an acronym for Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment, an online learning management system that provides custom learning environments. As Internet access can be difficult at the clinical sites, computer tablets are provided with all educational materials downloaded from the MOODLE learning site. Courses are taught using a modular approach and core competencies established for each module. Zoom and WhatsApp technologies are used for shared learning discussions. A Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) for Global HOPE Nursing was implemented monthly to support the growth of the distance-based learning network. RESULTS This distance-based education program teaches the principles of nursing care for a child with cancer and has been implemented in Malawi, Uganda, and Botswana, where 35 nurses are now enrolled. Formal course evaluation includes written pre- and post-tests and simulated checkoffs on essential pediatric oncology nursing competencies, such as chemotherapy administration. Sixteen nurses have completed the program in the first year and significant improvement in knowledge, self-competency, and skills was found. CONCLUSION The success of this distance-based learning program emphasizes the importance of formal training for nurses in LMICs to become full-time specialists in pediatric oncology nursing. Education programs that build capacity to develop specialists in pediatric oncology nursing are essential to improve global cure rates for children with cancer in LMICs.

Distance-Based Education for Nurses Caring for Children With Cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 321-329
Author(s):  
Marilyn Hockenberry ◽  
Tadala Mulemba ◽  
Aisha Nedege ◽  
Kitsiso Madumetse ◽  
Jennifer Higgins
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Education ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Pediatric Oncology ◽  
Core Competencies ◽  
Course Evaluation ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Oncology Nursing ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Children With Cancer ◽  
Sub Saharan

Nursing specialization in the care of children with cancer provides the foundation for implementing successful childhood cancer and blood disorder treatment programs throughout the world. Excellence in nursing education is at the center of all that is needed to maximize cures for children with cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). While the burden of childhood cancer care is the highest in LMIC, opportunities for continuing nursing education and specialization are extremely limited. Capacity-building programs using distance-based learning opportunities have been successful in sub-Saharan Africa and provide insight into successful, continuing professional development. The Global Hematology-Oncology Pediatric Excellence (HOPE) program part of Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas, has developed and implemented a distance-based training program designed for nurses working in sub-Saharan Africa. Following a needs assessment, Global HOPE developed a program using both the Moodle (modular object-oriented dynamic learning environment) distance-based learning platform and computer notebooks that hold the course content. The program teaches basic principles of nursing care for a child with cancer and has been implemented in Malawi, Uganda, and Botswana. Courses are taught using a modular approach and core competencies are established for each module. Frequent teaching sessions using Zoom and WhatsApp reinforce independent learning experiences. Formal course evaluation includes written pre- and posttests, self-competency assessments, and simulated checkoffs on essential pediatric oncology nursing competencies. The success of this distance-based learning program emphasizes the importance of formal training for nurses in LMIC to become full-time specialists in pediatric oncology nursing.

scholarly journals Promoting pediatric oncology nursing excellence in sub-Saharan Africa using project ECHO

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 100363
Author(s):  
Marilyn Hockenberry ◽  
Rhahim Bank ◽  
Aisha Nedege ◽  
Tadala Mulemba ◽  
Joan Nakabiri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pediatric Oncology ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Oncology Nursing ◽  
Project Echo ◽  
Sub Saharan

scholarly journals Shaping the Role of sub-Saharan African Nurses and Midwives: Stakeholder’s perceptions of the Nurses’ and Midwives’ tasks and roles

2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi M. Seboni ◽  
Mabel K.M. Magowe ◽  
Leana R. Uys ◽  
Mary B. Suh ◽  
Komba N. Djeko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Education ◽  
Role Expectations ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Job Descriptions ◽  
Community Members ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Future Of Nursing ◽  
Nurses And Midwives

To explore the role expectations of different stakeholders in the health care system on the roles and tasks that nurses and midwives perform, in order to clarify and strengthen these roles and shape the future of nursing education and practice in sub-Saharan Africa. Qualitative focus group discussions were held with different stakeholders (nurses, health service managers, patients and their caregivers, community members and leaders and other health professionals) in eight African countries in order to establish their role expectations of nurses and midwives. Three questions about their role expectations and the interviews were taped, transcribed, and translated into English and analysed. There was consensus amongst the stakeholders regarding eight role functions: taking care of patients; giving health information; managing the care environment; advocating for patients; services and policies; providing emergency care; collaborating with other stakeholders; and providing midwifery care to women, infants and their families. There was disagreement amongst the stakeholders about the role of diagnosis and prescribing treatment. Nursing derives its mandate from communities it serves, and the roles expected must therefore form part of nursing regulation, education and practice standards. Health planners must use these as a basis for job descriptions and rewards. Once these are accepted in the training and regulation of nursing, they must be marketed so that recipients are aware thereof.Om die rol verwagtings van verskillende rolspelers in die gesondheidsisteem aangaande die rolle en take van die verpleegkundiges en vroedvroue te ondersoek, om daardeur uitklaring en helderheid en bekragtiging van hierdie rolle te verkry, waardeur die toekoms van verpleeg-onderwys en praktyk in sub-Sahara Afrika gevorm kan word. Kwalitatiewe fokus groepe is met verskillende rolspelers (verpleegkundiges, gesondheidsdiens bestuurders, pasiënte en hulle versorgers, lede van die gemeenskap, leiers en lede van andere gesondheidsprofessies) in agt Afrika lande gehou om hul rolverwagtings van verpleegkundiges en vroedvroue te bepaal. Drie vrae is oor die rolverwagtings gevra. Die onderhoude is opgeneem, getranskribeer, in Engels vertaal, en geanaliseer. Daar was konsensus tussen rolspelers oor agt rol funksies: versorging van pasiënte; die gee van gesondheidsinligting; bestuur van die sorgomgewing; voorspraak vir pasiënte; dienste en beleid; voorsiening van nooddienste; samewerking met ander rolspelers; en voorsiening aan moeder en kindersorg vir vroue en hul gesinne. Ooreenstemming is nie bereik aangaande die rol van diagnose en voorskryf van behandeling nie. Verpleging kry sy mandaat van die gemeenskappe wat gedien word en daarom behoort die rolverwagtings deel te vorm van verpleeg-regulasie, onderwys en praktyk- standaarde. Gesondheidsdiensbeplanners behoort hierdie verwagtings as basis te gebruik vir werksbeskrywings en erkenning. Na die aanvaarding van hierdie verwagtings in verpleegopleiding en regulering, moet dit bekend gemaak word sodat die gemeenskap daarvan bewus is. 

scholarly journals Status of Palliative Oncology Care for Children and Young People in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Perspective Paper on Priorities for New Frontiers

2021 ◽  
pp. 1395-1405
Author(s):  
Eve Namisango ◽  
Nickhill Bhakta ◽  
Joanne Wolfe ◽  
Michael J. McNeil ◽  
Richard A. Powell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Systems ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Late Presentation ◽  
Health Systems Strengthening ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Children With Cancer ◽  
Cancer Symptoms ◽  
Palliative Oncology ◽  
Oncology Care ◽  
Sub Saharan

PURPOSE The burden of cancer disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries. Low 5-year survival figures for children with cancer in low-income countries are due to late presentation at diagnosis, treatment abandonment, absence of sophisticated multidisciplinary care, and lack of adequate resources. The reasons for late presentation are partly due to limited awareness of cancer symptoms, high treatment costs, and facility-level barriers to timely access to treatment. Given the systemic challenges, the regional need for palliative oncology care for children care is high. Despite the enormity of the need for palliative oncology for children with cancer in Africa, its level of development remains poor. This paper presents the evidence on the status of palliative oncology care for children in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS This review provides an overview of the current status of palliative oncology care for children in sub-Saharan Africa, using the WHO building blocks for health systems strengthening as reference points, before proposing a forward-looking prioritized agenda for its development. RESULTS We noted that survival rates for children with cancer remain much poorer in Africa compared with developed countries and palliative oncology care resources are scant. Our results also show low coverage for palliative oncology care services for children, lack of a critical mass of health workers with the skills to deliver the care, a lack of robust documentation of the burden of cancer, widespread lack of access to essential controlled medicines, limited funding from government and limited coverage for palliative oncology care in most cancer control plans. CONCLUSION This review highlights priority areas for action that align to the WHO health system building blocks for strengthening health systems.

Pediatric oncology nursing education in Morocco: A collaborative effort

2002 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 52-52
Author(s):  
Georgette Chammas ◽  
Patricia McCarthy ◽  
Bobby Robertson ◽  
Judith A. Wilimas ◽  
Bassem I. Razzouk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Education ◽  
Pediatric Oncology ◽  
Oncology Nursing ◽  
Collaborative Effort

scholarly journals Presentation and Outcomes of Childhood Cancer Patients at Uganda Cancer Institute

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 2333794X1984974 ◽  
Author(s):  
Innocent Mutyaba ◽  
Henry R. Wabinga ◽  
Jackson Orem ◽  
Corey Casper ◽  
Warren Phipps
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Kaposi Sarcoma ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Children With Cancer ◽  
Non Hodgkin Lymphoma ◽  
Cox's Regression ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Poor Outcomes ◽  
Histological Confirmation

Introduction. Limited data suggest that children with cancer in sub-Saharan Africa have poor survival. We aimed to describe the presentation, treatment outcomes, and factors associated with survival among children with cancer managed at Uganda Cancer Institute. Methods. We retrospectively evaluated patients with childhood cancer (age ≤19 years) from Kyadondo County treated at Uganda Cancer Institute from 2006 to 2009. Cox’s regression and Kaplan-Meier methods were used to study 1-year survival. Results. Among 310 patients studied, median age was 7 years (range = 0.25-19 years), 64% were boys, and 92% had histological confirmation of cancer diagnosis. The commonest diagnoses were Burkitt lymphoma (BL, N = 87), Kaposi sarcoma (KS, N = 68), non-BL non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL, N = 32), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL, N = 28), Wilms (N = 28), and Hodgkin disease (HD, N = 20). Advanced disease at diagnosis was common for all cancers (ranging from 45% for KS to 83% for non-BL NHL). Overall, 33.2% abandoned treatment. One-year survival was 68% for HD (95% confidence interval [CI] = 11.3-40.6), 67% for KS (95% CI = 52.1-77.9), 55% for BL (95% CI = 42-66.9), 44% for Wilms (95% CI = 22.5-63), 43% for non-BL NHL (95% CI = 23.3-61.3), and 20% for ALL (95% CI = 6.4-38.7). In univariate and multivariate analysis, anemia and thrombocytopenia were associated with mortality for several cancers. Conclusion. Survival among children with cancer in Uganda is poor. Advanced stage disease and loss to follow-up likely contribute to poor outcomes. Anemia and thrombocytopenia may augment traditional staging methods to provide better prognostic factors in Uganda and warrant further evaluation.

scholarly journals A sustainable model for pediatric oncology nursing education in low-income countries

2011 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara W. Day ◽  
Jose Garcia ◽  
Federico Antillon ◽  
Judith A. Wilimas ◽  
Leslie M. McKeon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Education ◽  
Pediatric Oncology ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Oncology Nursing

scholarly journals Development of Nutrition Educational Materials for Pediatric Oncology Patients in Tanzania

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 42-42
Author(s):  
Anna Gillespie ◽  
Yadurshini Raveendran ◽  
Dafrosa Monko ◽  
Robert Gisiri ◽  
Kristin Schroeder
Keyword(s):  
Eating Habits ◽  
Food Selection ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Nutrition Knowledge ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Educational Materials ◽  
Children With Cancer ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

PURPOSE More than 30% of children in sub-Saharan Africa are malnourished at baseline. Patients with cancer become further malnourished by metabolically active tumors and starvation during extended hospital stays when parents cannot afford food. If cancer outcomes could be improved by optimizing nutrition, then this would provide a cost-effective intervention for future implementation and research. The current study targeted caregiver nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and practices to develop educational materials for children who are diagnosed with cancer at Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania. METHODS A quantitative survey developed using UN Food and Agriculture guidelines was used to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of nutrition among caregivers of children with cancer presenting from June to August 2019. On the basis of responses, targeted education materials—A2 posters, A4 posters, and 50 pamphlets—were developed in collaboration with a local nutritionist to address gaps in caregiver nutrition knowledge. RESULTS A total of 36 caregivers and 21 stakeholders completed surveys. The majority of caregivers reported food insecurity (94%) and limited knowledge on nutrition (92%). Identified key knowledge gaps included appropriate food selection, understanding of macronutrients, and food safety. Specific media—posters and pamphlets—were designed to be simple and targeted for specific symptoms, as well as to encourage positive eating habits among patients and families. CONCLUSION This study developed a targeted intervention to improve nutrition knowledge for caregivers of children with cancer. The multiple media sources created can be used alongside verbal education sessions by nutritionists to increase exposure and the likelihood of retention and application. Although this was developed at a single institution, the media created targeted consensus nutrition information for children with cancer and is mostly pictorial, so it can be used regardless of literacy or language. Implementation evaluation is ongoing, with plans to share these materials with pediatric cancer centers throughout Tanzania and sub-Saharan Africa.

The Latin American Center for Pediatric Oncology Nursing Education

2013 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 340-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara W. Day ◽  
Lorena Segovia ◽  
Paola Viveros ◽  
Mohammad R. Alqudimat ◽  
Gaston K. Rivera
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Education ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Pediatric Oncology ◽  
Oncology Nursing

scholarly journals Scaling up interventions for depression in sub-Saharan Africa: lessons from Zimbabwe

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Chibanda ◽  
R. Verhey ◽  
E. Munetsi ◽  
S. Rusakaniko ◽  
F. Cowan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Workers ◽  
Core Competencies ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
District Health ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Extensive Consultation ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Hiv Programs

BackgroundThere is a dearth of information on how to scale-up evidence-based psychological interventions, particularly within the context of existing HIV programs. This paper describes a strategy for the scale-up of an intervention delivered by lay health workers (LHWs) to 60 primary health care facilities in Zimbabwe.MethodsA mixed methods approach was utilized as follows: (1) needs assessment using a semi-structured questionnaire to obtain information from nurses (n = 48) and focus group discussions with District Health Promoters (n = 12) to identify key priority areas; (2) skills assessment to identify core competencies and current gaps of LHWs (n = 300) employed in the 60 clinics; (3) consultation workshops (n = 2) with key stakeholders to determine referral pathways; and (4) in-depth interviews and consultations to determine funding mechanisms for the scale-up.ResultsFive cross-cutting issues were identified as critical and needing to be addressed for a successful scale-up. These included: the lack of training in mental health, unavailability of psychiatric drugs, depleted clinical staff levels, unavailability of time for counseling, and poor and unreliable referral systems for people suffering with depression. Consensus was reached by stakeholders on supervision and support structure to address the cross-cutting issues described above and funding was successfully secured for the scale-up.ConclusionKey requirements for success included early buy-in from key stakeholders, extensive consultation at each point of the scale-up journey, financial support both locally and externally, and a coherent sustainability plan endorsed by both government and private sectors.

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