No abstract

Recommendations to address the inaccuracy of ART programme data include improving knowledge translation during training of ART programme staff, ensuring the implementation of established data verification policies and procedures, rethinking the design of the programme to reduce the burden on health facilities and personnel, and standardizing information management procedures amongst the various governmental and non-governmental stakeholders. The challenges with reporting in the Eastern Cape may be shared by other South African provinces as well as other low-middle income countries that require high quality data to inform well-designed and well-implemented interventions in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Our study reports that among Canadian women with breast cancer, a smaller proportion of life was lost on average at the end of the study period. The 'life lost' measures presented in this study would be useful tools to monitor the pattern of premature mortality for chronic conditions. These measures gauge the effectiveness of the health system with respect to early detection and treatment.

Background: In this study, we investigated whether there has been an improvement in premature mortality due to central nervous system (CNS) cancers among the Canadian population from 1980 through 2010. Methods: Mortality data for CNS cancers were obtained from World Health Organization mortality database. Years of life lost (YLL) was estimated using Canadian life tables. Average lifespan shortened (ALSS) was calculated and defined as the ratio of YLL relative to the expected lifespan. Results: Over this study period, we observed decreases in age standardized rates to the World Standard Population for mortality due to CNS cancers from 5.3 to 4.1 per 100,000 men, and from 3.6 to 2.9 per 100,000 women. Average YLL decreased from 23.6 to 21.5 years of life among men, and from 27.0 to 23.1 years among women in 1980 and 2010, respectively. The ALSS showed that men with CNS cancers lost 30.1% of their life span and women lost 32.5% in 1980, whereas they lost 25.8 and 26.6% in 2010, respectively. Conclusion: Our study shows that ­Canadian people with CNS cancers have had their lives prolonged at the end of the study period.