Brief report: Global health initiatives and breast oncology capacity-building in Africa

Am J Surg. 2020 Apr;219(4):563-565. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2020.01.034. Epub 2020 Jan 25.

Abstract

Introduction: Global health initiatives provide exciting opportunities for capacity-building in low- and middle-income countries but data regarding how African clinicians characterize the most effective partnerships are lacking.

Methods: We surveyed attendees at two "Breast Cancer in Africa" symposia sponsored through a surgeon-led global breast cancer research collaborative. Respondents ranked their preferences for needs from American global health partnerships.

Results: 399 African attendees responded (170 at the 2017 Ghana conference; 229 at the 2018 Ethiopia conference). Physicians comprised 41.1% of respondents; nurses 20.1% and medical students 27.6%. Ancillary hospital staff comprised the remaining 11.2%. Among clinicians, 75.7% ranked educational/training programs or donation of medical supplies as the highest-priority needs compared to only 20.4% ranking direct monetary support as the highest-priority need (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions: Our survey study found that African clinicians prioritize training programs and donation of medical/hospital supplies above direct monetary support as their highest-value needs from global health initiatives.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Global health; Surgery training.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Africa
  • Biomedical Research
  • Breast Neoplasms*
  • Capacity Building*
  • Congresses as Topic
  • Equipment and Supplies / supply & distribution
  • Female
  • Global Health*
  • Health Personnel / education
  • Humans
  • International Educational Exchange
  • Medical Oncology / education
  • Needs Assessment*