Link to the University of Pittsburgh Homepage
Link to the University Library System Homepage Link to the Contact Us Form

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer Care in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study Synthesizing Health Care Providers’ Perspectives

Uzoukwu, Nneoma (2022) The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer Care in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study Synthesizing Health Care Providers’ Perspectives. Master Essay, University of Pittsburgh.

[img] PDF
Restricted to University of Pittsburgh users only until 17 May 2024.

Download (440kB) | Request a Copy

Abstract

Introduction: Pre-pandemic, low resource countries such as Nigeria faced many challenges with providing adequate cancer care. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these problems and created new challenges. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer care in Nigeria through health care providers’ perspectives.

Methods: Five focus groups were conducted among health care providers (N=14) working at the Lakeshore Cancer Clinic in Lagos, Nigeria. To be included in the focus group discussions, providers must have met the inclusion criteria of working at Lakeshore prior to the pandemic. The providers were assigned into focus groups based on their field of work (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists and radiologists/ radiographers). The interview questions focused on the challenges of cancer care in Nigeria before and during the pandemic, and what new challenges may persist post-pandemic. Transcribed discussions from focus group interviews were analyzed using NVivo 12 software and coded in alignment with the Socioecological Model (SEM).

Results: Study participants discussions revealed factors at each level of the SEM regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer care, including: 1. intrapersonal (reduced finances, reduced cancer awareness, fear of contracting COVID, increased psychological effects); 2. interpersonal (patients’ individual relationships and social support); 3. institutional (decreased resources, decreased finances, delayed treatment time, and reduced accessibility); and 4. policy level (pandemic related lockdown and restrictions, reduced government funding, increased political instability, reduced retention of healthcare workers in the country).

Conclusion: The healthcare providers’ perspectives on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer care in Nigeria provides an understanding of the serious challenges they face regarding patient access to quality cancer care during the pandemic; many of which may persist post pandemic. The consistency of these findings across the Socioecological Model highlights the importance of developing interventions that attacks the different levels of the SEM. The public health significance of this study is that results can push for more advocacy and awareness to improve the challenges to cancer care delivery in Nigeria


Share

Citation/Export:
Social Networking:
Share |

Details

Item Type: Other Thesis, Dissertation, or Long Paper (Master Essay)
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Uzoukwu, Nneomannu3@pitt.edunnu3
Contributors:
ContributionContributors NameEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairFabio, Anthonyanthony.fabio@pitt.eduanthony.fabioUNSPECIFIED
Committee MemberHawk, Marymary.hawk@pitt.edumary.hawkUNSPECIFIED
Committee MemberBaumann, Sarasarabaumann@pitt.edusarabaumannUNSPECIFIED
Date: 17 May 2022
Date Type: Completion
Submission Date: 28 April 2022
Access Restriction: 2 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 2 years.
Number of Pages: 37
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: School of Public Health > Epidemiology
Degree: MPH - Master of Public Health
Thesis Type: Master Essay
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: COVID-19 Cancer Nigeria
Date Deposited: 17 May 2022 16:38
Last Modified: 17 May 2022 16:38
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/42868

Metrics

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics


Actions (login required)

View Item View Item