Mediation Analysis of Perceived Performance of Ghana Black Stars at the Qatar FIFA World Cup on Satisfaction of Football Fans: A Comparative Path Analysis

The mediation effects of the perceived performance of the Ghana Black Stars at the Qatar FIFA World Cup were examined on the satisfaction of football fans in Ghana. A cross-sectional design with closed-ended questions on Google Forms was used to collect data through football fans’ pages on WhatsApp and Facebook. Ghanaian adults aged 18 and above participated in the study with a sample of 618 gathered through a random sampling procedure. Estimators of Path models were compared with WLSMV outperforming others. The findings revealed that lack of coherence (p-value=0.002) among players reduces the performance of players, while the higher the perception of call-ups (p-value=0.035) the higher the perceived performance of Black Stars.  Good perceived football governance (p-value<0.001) led to improvement in the perceived performance of the Black Stars. The higher performance of the Black Stars led to improved satisfaction among football fans (p-value<0.001). However, a poor technical team (p-value=0.015) for the Black Stars reduced the satisfaction of football fans. Lack of coherence among players (p-value=0.003) indirectly affects the satisfaction of football fans by compromising the perceived performance of Black Stars. Good governance (p-value=0.001) indirectly improves the satisfaction of football fans by improving the performance of Black Stars. The satisfaction of football fans in Ghana is linked to lack of coherence among players, perceived performance of Black Stars, call-ups and good governance

Novel coronavirus mitigation measures implemented by radiotherapy centres in low and middle-income countries: a systematic review

Background: The aim of the study was to identify strategies adopted by radiotherapy centres in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. Studies summarising COVID-19 mitigation strategies designed and implemented by radiotherapy centres in LMICs to avoid delays, deferrments and interruptions of radiotherapy services are lacking. Materials and methods: A systematic review was conducted and reported in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis guideline. Ovid Embase, Ovid MEDLINE and CINAHL were searched for peer-reviewed articles that reported measures adopted by radiotherapy centres in LMICs to reduce the risk of COVID-19. Information on different strategies were extracted from the included studies and textual narrative synthesis was conducted. Results: Of 60 articles retrieved, eleven were included. Majority of the studies were conducted in China. Ten of the included studies employed a qualitative design. Four themes were identified: preparing and equipping staff; reinforcing infection prevention and control policies; strengthening coordination and communication; and maintaining physical distancing. Studies reported that radiotherapy centres had: formed COVID-19 response multidisciplinary team; maximised the use of telehealth; adjusted the layout of waiting areas; divided staff into teams; dedicated a room for isolating suspected cases; and adopted triage systems. Conclusions: Local adaptation of established global strategies coupled with timely development of guidelines, flexibility and innovation have allowed radiotherapy leaders to continue to deliver radiotherapy services to cancer patients in LMICs during the COVID-19 crisis. Robust data collection must be encouraged in LMICs to provide an evidence-based knowledge for use in the event of another pandemic

Novel coronavirus mitigation measures implemented by radiotherapy centres in low and middle-income countries: a systematic review

Abstract Aim: To identify strategies adopted by radiotherapy centres in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) to mitigate the effects of COVID-19.Background: Studies summarising COVID-19 mitigation strategies designed and implemented by radiotherapy centres in LMICs to avoid delays, deferrments and interruptions of radiotherapy services are lacking.Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted and reported in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis guideline. Ovid Embase, Ovid MEDLINE and CINAHL were searched for peer-reviewed articles that reported measures adopted by radiotherapy centres in LMICs to reduce the risk of COVID-19. Information on different strategies were extracted from the included studies and textual narrative synthesis was conducted.Results: Of the 60 articles retrieved, eleven were included. Majority of the studies were conducted in China. Ten of the included studies employed a qualitative design. Four themes were identified: preparing and equipping staff; reinforcing infection prevention and control policies; strengthening coordination and communication; and maintaining physical distancing. Studies reported that radiotherapy centres have: formed COVID-19 response multidisciplinary team; maximised the use of telehealth; adjusted the layout of waiting areas; divided staff into teams; dedicated a room for isolating suspected cases; and adopted triage systems.Conclusions: Local adaptation of established global strategies coupled with timely development of guidelines, flexibility and innovation have allowed radiotherapy leaders to continue to deliver radiotherapy services to cancer patients in LMICs during the COVID-19 crisis. Robust and quality data collection must be encouraged in LMICs to provide an evidence-based knowledge for use in the event of another pandemic.</jats:p

Development of Quality Indicators in the Management of Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review

Abstract Background Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. Current evidence suggests a gap between what is understood to be standard breast cancer management and what happens in clinical practice. The development and implementation of breast quality indicators (QIs) for breast cancer management is one way to achieve better care. This systematic review aimed to identify QIs developed for the management of breast cancer and to summarize characteristics and range of measures uncovered. Methods Studies related to the development of QIs for management and monitoring of breast cancer care were systematically searched, extracted and reviewed using four electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane Library) following a Prospero Protocol Registration (CRD42020207945). The study was reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for the Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA). This review reported on the development of QIs in the management of breast cancer and Donabedian’s framework was adopted as the analytical framework. Results Out of 1161 potentially relevant articles identified, eight studies met the inclusion criteria and were directly concerned with QI development for breast cancer care. These included two papers from China and one each from; The Netherlands, Belgium, Scotland and Canada. The remaining two were a collaboration among the European Society of Breast cancer Specialists (EUSOMA). The methods used by these studies to identify and develop QIs included a comprehensive literature review, medical records review, clinical guidelines, and Delphi consensus using an expert panel discussion. A total of 38 QIs were identified and classified as: structure (n = 3); process (n = 30); and outcome (n = 5). Structure indicators included: the availability of Multi-Disciplinary Team Meeting (MDT), medical records and breast cancer research infrastructure. Process indicators included eight diagnostic QIs, 22 treatment QIs and seven follow-up QIs. The outcome indicator focused mainly on the overall five-year survival statistics. Conclusions The development of QIs appears relevant to monitor clinical management and performance but is currently limited to higher income countries. Development and implementation of QIs in LMICs countries will improve practice.</jats:p

Financial toxicity of cancer care in low and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Introduction: The costs associated with cancer diagnosis, treatment and care present enormous financial toxicity. However, evidence of financial toxicity associated with cancer in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) is scarce.Aim: To identify the extent of cancer-related financial toxicity and how it has been measured in LMICs.Methods: Four electronic databases were searched to identify studies of any design that reported financial toxicity among cancer patients in LMICs. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to derive the pooled prevalence of financial toxicity. Sub-group analyses were performed according to: costs; and determinants of financial toxicity.Results: A total of 31 studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of financial toxicity was 56.96% [95% CI, 30.51, 106.32]. In sub-group meta-analyses, the financial toxicity was higher among cancer patients with household size of more than four (1.17% [95% CI, 1.03, 1.32]; p = 0.02; I2 = 0%), multiple cycles of chemotherapy (1.94% [95% CI, 1.00, 3.75]; p = 0.05; I2 = 43%) and private health facilities (2.87% [95% CI, 1.89, 4.35]; p &lt; 0.00001; I2 = 26%). Mean medical costs per cancer patients were $2,740.18 [95$1,953.62, $3,526.74]. The ratio of cost of care to gross domestic product (GDP) per capita varied considerably across the LMICs included in this review, which ranged from 0.06 in Vietnam to 327.65 in Ethiopia.Conclusions: This study indicates that cancer diagnosis, treatment and care impose high financial toxicity on cancer patients in LMICs. Further rigorous research on cancer-related financial toxicity is needed.</jats:p

Financial toxicity of cancer care in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Introduction The costs associated with cancer diagnosis, treatment and care present enormous financial toxicity. However, evidence of financial toxicity associated with cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is scarce. Aim To determine the prevalence, determinants and how financial toxicity has been measured among cancer patients in LMICs. Methods Four electronic databases were searched to identify studies of any design that reported financial toxicity among cancer patients in LMICs. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to derive the pooled prevalence of financial toxicity. Sub-group analyses were performed according to costs and determinants of financial toxicity. Results A total of 31 studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of objective financial toxicity was 56.96% (95% CI, 30.51, 106.32). In sub-group meta-analyses, the objective financial toxicity was higher among cancer patients with household size of more than four (1.17% [95% CI, 1.03, 1.32]; p = 0.02; I2 = 0%), multiple cycles of chemotherapy (1.94% [95% CI, 1.00, 3.75]; p = 0.05; I2 = 43%) and private health facilities (2.87% [95% CI, 1.89, 4.35]; p &lt; 0.00001; I2 = 26%). Included studies hardly focused primarily on subjective measures of financial toxicity, such as material, behavioural and psychosocial. One study reported that 35.4% (n = 152 of 429) of cancer patients experienced high subjective financial toxicity. Conclusions This study indicates that cancer diagnosis, treatment and care impose high financial toxicity on cancer patients in LMICs. Further rigorous research on cancer-related financial toxicity is needed. </jats:sec