Browsing by Author "Lounsbury, D."

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Improving outcomes in cancer diagnosis, prevention and control: barriers, facilitators and the need for health literacy in Ibadan Nigeria
(Wiley Online Library, 2016) Adedimeji, A. A.; Lounsbury, D.; Popoola, O.; Asuzu, C.; Lawal, A.; Oladoyin, V.; Crifase, C.; Agalliu, I.; Shankar, V.; Adebiyi, A.
Background: Cancers constitute a significant public health problem in Nigeria. Breast, cervix and prostate cancers are leading causes of cancer-related deaths. Changing diets, lifestyles, HIV/AIDS and macro-structural factors contribute to cancer morbidity and mortality. Poor health information linking cancer risk to individual behaviors, environmental pollutants and structural barriers undermine prevention/control efforts. Studies suggest increasing health literacy and empowering individuals to take preventive action will improve outcomes and mitigate impact on a weak health system. Methods: We obtained qualitative data from 80 men, women, and young adults in 11 focus groups to assess beliefs, risk-perceptions, preventive behaviors and perceptions of barriers and facilitators to cancer control in Ibadan, Nigeria and conducted thematic analysis. Results: Participants demonstrated awareness of cancers and mentioned several risk factors related to individual behaviors and the environment. Nonetheless, myths and misconceptions as well as micro, meso and macro level barriers impede prevention and control efforts. Conclusion: Developing and implementing comprehensive context-relevant health literacy interventions in community settings are urgently needed.
A pilot study of cancer patients’ use of traditional healers in the radiotherapy department, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
(Wiley Online Library, 2015) Asuzu, C. C.; Elumelu-Kupoluyi, T.; Asuzu, M. C.; Campbell, O. B.; Akin-Odanye, E. O.; Lounsbury, D.
Objective: This descriptive cross-sectional study assessed cancer patients’ use of traditional healers, the association between delay in coming to this clinic and patients’ use of traditional healers, reasons cancer patients use western medicine after trying traditional treatment and the cost of obtaining traditional treatment. Methods: Participants were made of 400 consecutive and consenting new patients in the Department of Radiotherapy, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. A validated interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Focus group discussions were held with some of the clients as well as the traditional healers. Results: It showed that 34.5% of the patients patronized traditional healers, while 65.5% used only hospitals. The most common reason given among patients who patronized traditional healers for doing so was their desire to be healed and to be rid of pains (45.9%), while the most common reason they opt for western medicine afterwards was lack of improvement in their health condition (70.1%). The cost of traditional treatment for cancer ranged between no cost to N5,000 (that is approximately $31.25 @ $1 = N160) to be treated. The cost of orthodox care would range from a minimum of N40,000 to several millions of naira. Conclusions: Patients patronize traditional healers to be rid of pains; hence physicians should endeavor to control cancer-related symptoms, especially pains as the patients await diagnosis. Also, the low cost of obtaining traditional treatment, regular assurance of cure and other assistances given to them, could be an enticing factor in its use.
A psycho-oncological approach to addressing cancer disparities in Nigeria
(Universodad Iberoamericana Publa, Mexico, 2012) Lounsbury, D.; Asuzu, C.; Adedimeji, A.; John, I.; Chung, K.
We describe the formation of a specialized, international research partnership between two university communities: the University College Hospital (UCH), University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Einstein) of Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York, USA. Our partnership is focused on cancer. It seeks to establish a platform for a wide variety of prevention and control activities, including cancer surveillance, community outreach and education, screening and diagnosis, treatment and post-treatment (survivorship), as well as palliation. Our approach is grounded by principles of psycho-oncology, an emerging sub-discipline of research and clinical intervention in cancer, and uses psycho-social and behavioral research as a means to build ‘collaborative capacity’ and to prioritize and manage resources for patients, families and health care professionals.