‘Quality of life among patients receiving palliative care in South Africa and Uganda: a multi-centered study’ Brief Review

While this article absolutely fits the theme of an article that’s valuable for me to review, it’s especially significant due to the prevalence of cancer in sub-Saharan Africa. One in five deaths in the region is due to cancer, so proper analysis of cancer care in this region is even more relevant than normal. Furthermore, such significant numbers are in part due to poor palliative care in the region, meaning that research and reform can play a larger role in solving the problem.

Firstly, I do think it’s fair to recognize the fact that the study’s sample population is a bit narrow. It may be fruitful to sample a population less rural (currently 60%+ rural), or maybe those with a different primary place of palliative care (currently 60%+ at-home) , to get a better view of all aspects of sub-Saharan Africa, with the possibility that solutions may already be present, just less heralded or widely recognized.

Frankly, the fact that South African + Ugandan QOL scores are lower than that of U.S. scores is not that surprising, so I don’t exactly feel the need to focus too heavily on it. Countries with as significant an economic advantage will more than likely have better medical care and a less stressed population.

However, I do believe it is interesting to focus on the fact that social, spiritual, and self-fulfillment QOL scores were more important to patients than active or physical QOL scores. I’m unsure why this could be, but it could possibly be the result of a more religious society. It does carry those features, at least.

There are at least a few references I’ll be pursuing, including Cancer? In Africa?, Part I: Cancer in Indigenous Africans - burden, distribution, and trends, and Health Policy, health services, and cancer pain management in the New South Africa, amongst a few others.