Browsing by Author "Ntekim, A."

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Breast cancer in adolescents and young adults less than 40Years of age in Nigeria: a retrospective analysis
(Hindawi Limited, 2022) Ntekim, A.; Oluwasanu, M.; Odukoya, O.
Background. Breast cancer among adolescents and young adult (AYA) females aged 15-39 years is associated with different patterns of aggressiveness, as well as psychosocial and economic issues. At present, the burden of breast cancer among this age group is unknown in Nigeria. There is a need to determine the proportion of AYA with breast cancer in Nigeria. This will inform the development of breast cancer care programs appropriate for this age group. Objective. The objective of this study was to highlight the burden of breast cancer with an emphasis on AYAs in Nigeria and its implications. Methods. A retrospective review of data from cancer registries in Nigeria between 2009 and 2016 was carried out. Results. Among AYA females in Nigeria, breast cancer was by far the most common cancer, constituting 50% of all cancers and 51% (2798 of 5469) of all breast cancer cases. IA third (30.8%) of breast cancer cases in all centers studied were AYAs. Conclusion. The high proportion of AYA with breast cancer is an important feature suggesting that urgent actions are required to ensure early detection and improve breast cancer care among this age group.
Implementing oncology clinical trials in Nigeria: A model for Capacity building.
(Springer Nature, 2020) Ntekim, A.; Ibraheem, A.; Sofoluwe, A.; Adepoju, T.; Oluwasanu, M.; Aniagwu, M.; Awolude, O.; Balogun,W.; Kotila, K.; Adejumo, P.; Babalola, C. P.; Arinola, G.; Ojengbede, O.; Olopade, C. O.; Olopade, O. I.
Background: There is both higher mortality and morbidity from cancer in low and medium income countries (LMICs) compared with high income countries (HICs). Clinical trial activities and development of more effective and less toxic therapies have led to signi¦ cant improvements in morbidity and mortality from cancer in HICs. Unfortunately, clinical trials remain low in LMICs due to poor infrastructure and paucity of experienced personnel to execute clinical trials. There is an urgent need to build local capacity for evidence based treatment for cancer patients in LMICs. Methods: We conducted a survey at facilities in four Teaching Hospitals in South West Nigeria using a checklist of information on various aspects of clinical trial activities. The gaps identi¦ ed were addressed using resources sourced in partnership with investigators at HIC institutions. Results: De¦ cits in infrastructure were in areas of patient care such as availability of oncology pharmacists, standard laboratories and diagnostic facilities, clinical equipment maintenance and regular calibrations, trained personnel for clinical trial activities, investigational products handling and disposals and lack of standard operating procedures for clinical activities. There were two GCP trained personnel, two study coordinators and one research pharmacist across the four sites. Interventions were instituted to address the observed de¦ cits in all four sites which are now well positioned to undertake clinical trials in oncology. Training on all aspects of clinical trial was also provided. Conclusions: Partnerships with institutions in HICs can successfully identify, address, and improve de¦ cits in infrastructure for clinical trial in LMICs. The HICs should lead in providing funds, mentorship and training for LMIC institutions to improve and expand clinical trials in LMIC countries.
Oncology Training Needs Assessment Among Health Care Professionals in Nigeria
(American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), 2022) Adejumo, P. O.; Oluwasanu, M. M.; Ntekim, A.; Awolude. O. A.; Kotila, O. A.; Aniagwu T.; Brown B. J.; Dzekem, B. S.; Duncan, S.; Tito Ilori, M.; Ajani O.; Lee, S. M.; Babalola. C. P.; Ojengbede, O.; Huo. D.; Hammad, N.; Olopade, O. I.
PURPOSE This study investigated the status of training and preparedness for oncology practice and research and degree of interprofessional collaboration among health care professionals in the six geopolitical regions of Nigeria. METHODS A convergent parallel mixed methods design was used. Three hundred seventeen respondents completed a three-part, online questionnaire. Self-rated competencies in oncology research (26 items), oncology practice (16 items), and interprofessional collaboration (nine items) were assessed with a one- to fivepoint Likert scale. Six key informant and 24 in-depth interviews were conducted. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and pairwise t-test were used to analyze the quantitative data, whereas thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. RESULTS Respondents were mostly female (65.6%) with a mean age of 40.5 6 8.3 years. Respondents include 178 nurses (56.2%), 93 medical doctors (29.3%), and 46 pharmacists (14.5%). Self-assessed competencies in oncology practice differed significantly across the three groups of health care professionals (F = 4.789, P = .009). However, there was no significant difference across professions for competency in oncology research (F = 1.256, P = .286) and interprofessional collaboration (F = 1.120, P = .327). The majority of respondents (267, 82.4%) felt that educational opportunities in oncology-associated research in the country are inadequate and that this has implications for practice. Key training gaps reported include poor preparedness in data analysis and bioinformatics (138, 43.5%), writing clinical trials (119, 37.5%), and writing grant/research proposals (105, 33.1%). Challenges contributing to gaps in cancer research include few trained oncology specialists, low funding for research, and inadequate interprofessional collaboration. CONCLUSION This study highlights gaps in oncology training and practice and an urgent need for interventions to enhance interprofessional training to improve quality of cancer care in Nigeria. These would accelerate progress toward strengthening the health care system and reducing global disparities in cancer outcomes.