Geospatial distribution, pattern, and associated factors of cancer among patients attending Bugando Medical Centre, North-western Tanzania
Alen Amasi Kanjanja [Male]
Geospatial distribution, pattern, and associated factors of cancer among patients attending Bugando Medical Centre, North-western Tanzania - Mwanza, Tanzania: Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS – Bugando] : 2022 - xvi; 114 Pages Includes References and Appendices
Abstract:
Background: Cancer continues to be ranked high in causing mortality and morbidity among non-communicable disease with 10 million deaths annually. Epidemiological reports on caner burden show a large heterogeneity by region, reflecting variation in potential environmental exposure, social economics, and access to medical care and screening. Geospatial studies in recent decades around the world has played a greater role in discovery of diseases distribution and hence associated factors and helped in preventive and control strategies. This study aimed to determine the geospatial distribution, patterns, and associated factors cancer patients from the Lake Zone communities attending Bugando Medical Centre in Northern Tanzania by using the Mwanza cancer registry (MCR). MCR records all cancers cases attending the Bugando medical centre (BMC) in the lake zone.
Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional hospital-based study involving 3697 participants from the MCR with confirmed diagnosis by histopathology studies. Data analysis was performed using STATA version 15. For the purpose of obtaining the geospatial distribution of cancer cases in the Lake Zone Quantum Geographical Information System (QGIS) version 3.24.1 was used.
Results: About one third (34.5%) of the participants were aged between 52 and 68 years. Their median age was 53(IQR: 39-65) years. The majority (22%) of the participants were diagnosed with malignant neoplasm of the cervix uteri. About 11% of the participants were diagnosed with metastatic neoplasm of the prostate. The participants aged 52-68 years had a 54% higher proportion of cervix uteri (aPR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.21 – 1.78). Participants aged 69-98 years had a 75% higher prevalence of prostate cancer (aPR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.12 – 1.99) as compared to the other age groups (69 years). Moreover, Mwanza, Mara, and Shinyanga had 47.5%, 12.5%, and 10.5% proportions, which are higher than other Lake Zone regions and a higher prevalence rate per 100,000 population over a period of three consecutive years of studies (January 2019 to December 2021). Patients residing in Shinyanga, Geita, and Tabora districts had significantly higher proportions of cervix uteri cancers that the remaining areas. Furthermore, patients from Kahama district had 76% higher proportions of prostate cancer (aPR = 1.76, 95%CI = 1.32 – 1.97) as compared to their counterparts.
Conclusion: Diagnosed cancer cases in the lake zone are unevenly distributed, with some areas presenting more diagnosed patients as compared to others. There are vivid geospatial hotspots for different cancer types in different districts in the Lake Zone that can be used for cancer programs in the region. The proportional of cervical uteri among the patients attending Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) is high in the Lake Zone.
= Keywords: Cancer, Patterns, Geospatial Distribution, Bugando Medical Centre (BMC).
Wurzburg Road 35, BMC Premises, Post Code: 33102: P. O Box 1464, Mwanza – Tanzania: Phone: +255 28 298 3384: Fax: +255 28 298 3386 Email: vc@bugando.ac.tz Website: www.bugando.ac.tz
--Public Health
Geospatial distribution, pattern, and associated factors of cancer among patients attending Bugando Medical Centre, North-western Tanzania - Mwanza, Tanzania: Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS – Bugando] : 2022 - xvi; 114 Pages Includes References and Appendices
Abstract:
Background: Cancer continues to be ranked high in causing mortality and morbidity among non-communicable disease with 10 million deaths annually. Epidemiological reports on caner burden show a large heterogeneity by region, reflecting variation in potential environmental exposure, social economics, and access to medical care and screening. Geospatial studies in recent decades around the world has played a greater role in discovery of diseases distribution and hence associated factors and helped in preventive and control strategies. This study aimed to determine the geospatial distribution, patterns, and associated factors cancer patients from the Lake Zone communities attending Bugando Medical Centre in Northern Tanzania by using the Mwanza cancer registry (MCR). MCR records all cancers cases attending the Bugando medical centre (BMC) in the lake zone.
Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional hospital-based study involving 3697 participants from the MCR with confirmed diagnosis by histopathology studies. Data analysis was performed using STATA version 15. For the purpose of obtaining the geospatial distribution of cancer cases in the Lake Zone Quantum Geographical Information System (QGIS) version 3.24.1 was used.
Results: About one third (34.5%) of the participants were aged between 52 and 68 years. Their median age was 53(IQR: 39-65) years. The majority (22%) of the participants were diagnosed with malignant neoplasm of the cervix uteri. About 11% of the participants were diagnosed with metastatic neoplasm of the prostate. The participants aged 52-68 years had a 54% higher proportion of cervix uteri (aPR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.21 – 1.78). Participants aged 69-98 years had a 75% higher prevalence of prostate cancer (aPR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.12 – 1.99) as compared to the other age groups (69 years). Moreover, Mwanza, Mara, and Shinyanga had 47.5%, 12.5%, and 10.5% proportions, which are higher than other Lake Zone regions and a higher prevalence rate per 100,000 population over a period of three consecutive years of studies (January 2019 to December 2021). Patients residing in Shinyanga, Geita, and Tabora districts had significantly higher proportions of cervix uteri cancers that the remaining areas. Furthermore, patients from Kahama district had 76% higher proportions of prostate cancer (aPR = 1.76, 95%CI = 1.32 – 1.97) as compared to their counterparts.
Conclusion: Diagnosed cancer cases in the lake zone are unevenly distributed, with some areas presenting more diagnosed patients as compared to others. There are vivid geospatial hotspots for different cancer types in different districts in the Lake Zone that can be used for cancer programs in the region. The proportional of cervical uteri among the patients attending Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) is high in the Lake Zone.
= Keywords: Cancer, Patterns, Geospatial Distribution, Bugando Medical Centre (BMC).
Wurzburg Road 35, BMC Premises, Post Code: 33102: P. O Box 1464, Mwanza – Tanzania: Phone: +255 28 298 3384: Fax: +255 28 298 3386 Email: vc@bugando.ac.tz Website: www.bugando.ac.tz
--Public Health