High-resolution disease maps for cancer control in low-resource settings: A spatial analysis of cervical cancer incidence in Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

Background The global burden of cervical cancer is concentrated in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), with the greatest burden in Africa. Targeting limited resources to populations with the greatest need to maximize impact is essential. The objectives of this study were to geocode cervical cancer data from a population-based cancer registry in Kampala, Uganda, to create high-resolution disease maps for cervical cancer prevention and control planning, and to share lessons learned to optimize efforts in other low-resource settings. Methods Kampala Cancer Registry records for cervical cancer diagnoses between 2008 and 2015 were updated to include geographies of residence at diagnosis. Population data by age and sex for 2014 was obtained from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics. Indirectly age-standardized incidence ratios were calculated for sub-counties and estimated continuously across the study area using parish level data. Results Overall, among 1873 records, 89.6% included a valid sub-county and 89.2% included a valid parish name. Maps revealed specific areas of high cervical cancer incidence in the region, with significant variation within sub-counties, highlighting the importance of high-resolution spatial detail. Conclusions Population-based cancer registry data and geospatial mapping can be used in low-resource settings to support cancer prevention and control efforts, and to create the potential for research examining geographic factors that influence cancer outcomes. It is essential to support LMIC cancer registries to maximize the benefits from the use of limited cancer control resources.

Cancer InFocus: Tools for Cancer Center Catchment Area Geographic Data Collection and Visualization

“…Such organization facilitates the ability to view emerging spatial patterns in the data outside of what may be picked up by numerical analysis alone. These tools not only save time but fundamentally level the playing field between cancer centers who have plentiful resources available for data collection and analysis and those who do not ( 12 ). Moreover, adaptations of these tools could even prove beneficial for population-level research in other disease fields (such as cardiovascular disease) due to large overlaps with the relevant social determinants of health and risk factors related to cancer.…”

Health workers’ perspectives on the occurrence and management of antimicrobial resistance at the human-animal-environment interface in Uganda

“…Source: Nations online open source and National Population and Housing Census 2014 Wakiso is the most populous district in Uganda (2,915,200 people), with an annual growth rate of 4.1% and a household size of 4.7 [21]. It is also among the districts with the highest number of livestock in Uganda [21].…”

“…Source: Nations online open source and National Population and Housing Census 2014 Wakiso is the most populous district in Uganda (2,915,200 people), with an annual growth rate of 4.1% and a household size of 4.7 [21]. It is also among the districts with the highest number of livestock in Uganda [21]. Of the 503,442 households in the district, 36% are engaged in both crop and livestock production, 26% in crop/vegetable production and 24% are engaged in piggery/poultry [22].…”

Histopathological Patterns of Cervical Cancer Among Females Presenting to Makerere University Pathology Core Reference Laboratory. A 5-year Review

“…The global burden of cervical cancer is heavily concentrated in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), having the highest rates in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) (Beyer et al, 2022). In Uganda, due to an increased burden of HIV, the prevalence, morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer has been increasing in the recent years.…”