An Estimate of the Incidence of Prostate Cancer in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Prostate cancer (PCa) is rated the second most common cancer and sixth leading cause of cancer deaths among men globally. Reports show that African men suffer disproportionately from PCa compared to men from other parts of the world. It is still quite difficult to accurately describe the burden of PCa in Africa due to poor cancer registration systems.We systematically reviewed the literature on prostate cancer in Africa and provided a continentwide incidence rate of PCa based on available data in the regio

Use of traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes in Eastern Uganda: a qualitative exploration of reasons for choice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>While there are biomedical drugs for managing diabetes mellitus, some patients with diabetes use traditional medicine. The aim of the study was to explore why patients with diabetes use traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was conducted in Iganga and Bugiri districts in Eastern Uganda using four focus group discussions (FGDs) with patients with diabetes; two with female patients and two with male patients, thirteen key informant interviews (KIIs); nine with health workers working with patients with diabetes and four with herbalists. FGDs and KIIs focused on what respondents perceived as reasons for patients with diabetes taking traditional medicine. Analysis was done using content analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Reasons for taking traditional medicine included finding difficulties accessing hospitals, diabetic drugs being out of stock, traditional medicine being acceptable and available within community, as well as being supplied in big quantities. Others were traditional medicine being cheaper than biomedical treatment and payment for it being done in installments. Traditional medicine was also more convenient to take and was marketed aggressively by the herbalists. Influence of family and friends as well as traditional healers contributed to use of traditional medicine.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Possibilities of putting diabetic drugs at facilities closer to patients need to be considered and health facilities should have a constant supply of diabetic drugs. Community members need to be sensitized on the proper treatment for diabetes mellitus and on the dangers of taking traditional medicine.</p

The Impact of Health Systems on Diabetes Care in Low and Lower Middle Income Countries

This review will highlight the current challenges and barriers to diabetes management in low and lower middle income countries using the World Health Organization's 6 Building Blocks for Health Systems (service delivery; healthcare workforce; information; medical products, vaccines and technologies; financing; and leadership and governance). Low and lower middle income countries are characterized by low levels of income and insufficient health expenditure. These countries face a shift in disease burden from communicable to non-communicable diseases including diabetes. Many argue that health systems in these countries do not have the capacity to meet the needs of people with chronic conditions such as diabetes. A variety of barriers exist in terms of organization of health systems and care, human resources, sufficient information for decision-making, availability and affordability of medicines, policies, and alleviating the financial burden of care. These health system barriers need to be addressed, taking into account the need to have diabetes included in the global development agenda and also tailoring the response to local contexts including the needs of people with diabetes