Research Capacity and Training Needs for Cancer in Conflict-Affected MENA Countries.
Research Capacity and Training Needs for Cancer in Conflict-Affected MENA Countries.
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DOI：
10.5334/aogh.2809
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发表时间：
2020-11-06
影响因子：
2.9
通讯作者：
Mukherji D
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Abdul-Sater Z;Kobeissi E;Menassa M;Telvizian T;Mukherji D
全球癌症负担在低收入和中等收入国家尤其严重，包括受中东和北非地区冲突影响的国家。造成这种情况的因素包括对危险因素控制不足，加上监测和治疗选择有限。多个中东和北非国家普遍存在的冲突可能进一步加剧薄弱的医疗基础设施。改善癌症监测、研究和加强能力对于在中东和北非地区实施癌症控制计划至关重要，这是减轻不成比例的癌症负担所必需的。本文旨在了解受冲突影响的中东和北非国家癌症研究和培训的障碍，并确定发展可靠癌症研究战略的能力的机会。本研究采用混合方法，利用开放式和封闭式在线问卷调查，针对受冲突影响的中东和北非国家的肿瘤学家和癌症研究人员。对于开放式问题，我们进行了定性内容分析以确定主题障碍。48名受访者完成了调查问卷，其中大部分是医学和放射肿瘤学家。最重要的培训需求是进行临床、基础和定性癌症研究。确定的最突出的障碍是数据分析和研究设计方面的培训不足（分别占77%和75%的受访者）以及机构和政府资助不足（分别占94%和85%）。对于定性数据，我们将障碍分为六个主题，最常见的是缺乏研究基础设施（28%）。尽管癌症负担不断加重，但受冲突影响的中东和北非国家在知识生产和基于证据的癌症研究实施方面落后。迫切需要跨越地理和政治边界的知识传播和合作的新模式。根据我们的研究，我们建议开发创新和可获得的培训机会，重点是发展基础、临床和定性研究技能。加强研究能力的倡议应鼓励对有可能对该区域的癌症控制产生有意义影响的具体情况研究问题进行调查。
The global cancer burden is disproportionately greater in low- and middle-income countries, including those affected by conflict in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Contributing factors include inadequate control of risk factors plus limited surveillance and treatment options. Weak healthcare infrastructure may be further compounded by the conflict prevalent in multiple MENA countries. Improved cancer surveillance, research, and capacity strengthening are essential for implementing cancer control plans in the MENA region, requisite for reducing the disproportionate cancer burden. This article aims to understand the barriers to cancer research and training in conflict-affected MENA countries, and to identify opportunities for developing capacities for reliable cancer research strategies. This study employs a mixed-method approach utilizing an online questionnaire with open and close ended questions targeting oncologists and cancer researchers in conflict-affected MENA countries. For open-ended questions, we performed a qualitative content analysis to identify thematic barriers. Forty-eight respondents, mostly Medical and Radiation Oncologists, completed the questionnaire. The most significant training needs were conducting clinical, basic, and qualitative cancer research. The most prominent barriers identified were insufficient training in data analysis and research design (77% and 75% of respondents, respectively) and insufficient institutional and government funding (94% and 85%, respectively). For the qualitative data, we organized the barriers into six themes, the most common was the lack of research infrastructure (28%). Despite an escalating cancer burden, conflict-affected MENA countries are lagging in knowledge production and implementation of evidence-based cancer research. Novel modes of knowledge transmission and collaboration across geographical and political boundaries are sorely needed. Based on our study, we recommend developing innovative and accessible training opportunities focusing on developing basic, clinical, and qualitative research skills. Research capacity-strengthening initiatives should encourage the investigation of context-specific research questions with the potential to make a meaningful impact on cancer control in the region.