Africa faces significant challenges in terms of material and personnel resources for oncology interventions. This is particularly evident in South Africa, where resources are divided into high- and low-resource settin...Africa faces significant challenges in terms of material and personnel resources for oncology interventions. This is particularly evident in South Africa, where resources are divided into high- and low-resource settings. High-resource settings cater to those with financial means to access private oncology facilities. However, many breast cancer patients receive care in South Africa’s low-resource settings, such as public hospital oncology clinics. Unfortunately, these settings have limited service providers and fail to offer comprehensive interventions, resulting in poor outcomes. However, recent research has highlighted the significance of socially supportive relationships in promoting healing and overall individual well-being, and spirituality has been identified as a source of positive outcomes in cancer patients. This systematic review paper explores the feasibility of implementing support group cancer care and interventions that incorporate social support networks available in community settings, and spiritual practices facilitated by traditional healers, and religious/spiritual leaders. These interventions can be provided within low-resource settings to women diagnosed with breast cancer. Inclusive participation of spouses, children, and extended family in the support group cancer care can facilitate healing for the entire system. Focusing on the strengths and resources within communities and incorporating these complementary services, can enhance the well-being and quality of life for Black African women diagnosed with breast cancer, despite low-resource settings. This approach acknowledges the potential of community-based support networks and encourages collaboration between various stakeholders, including community health educators, nurses, lay counselors, and community volunteers, to address the complex needs of these patients.展开更多
School-aged children and their health conditions, in particular, deficient conditions are not less note worthy than in younger children, while the recognition of present low vitamin D provision in children of all age ...School-aged children and their health conditions, in particular, deficient conditions are not less note worthy than in younger children, while the recognition of present low vitamin D provision in children of all age groups has not still resulted in implementation of mass prophylaxis of hypovitaminosis D. There are several factors on which blood concentration of 25 （OH） D--calcidiol-depends. However, it is evident that among numerous factors we should orient on several most significant and develop correction scheme for the deficient condition in every region. Aim： to assess vitamin D levels in adolescents residing in Moscow, to correct their calcidiol status based on a baseline blood concentration of the transport metabolite. Materials and methods： 769 adolescents aged 11-18 years were examined and their blood concentration of 25 （OH） D was determined. Then, 218 patients were randomized to 2 groups： the treatment group received food supplement ＂Minisun~ Vitamin D3＂ in tablets, the control group received placebo. Cholecalciferol dosage was prescribed depending on the baseline calcidiol level in patients. The study continued for 6 months, after that blood was re-withdrawn for calcidiol level. Results： low calcidiol provision was observed among school children： median 25 （OH） D was 16.3 [11.4-20.8] ng/mL, only 5.2% of patients had normal blood concentration of calcidiol. There-examination showed significant differences in vitamin D status in the treatment and control group, in the meantime, during cholecalciferol supplementation, median 25 （OH） D in patients of the treatment group was increased from 16.2 [ 12.25-19.3] ng/mL to 24.2 [21.05-26.4] ng/mL （p 〈 0.001）. Conclusions： the larger part of child population--70.6% has 25 （OH） D concentration 〈 20 ng/mL, cholecalciferol doses used in the study allow eliminating calcidiol deficiency and overcome the boundary of 20 ng/mL, but for normalization of vitamin D status in blood of adolescents residing in Moscow higher dosages shall be used which is to be confirmed by further studies.展开更多
文摘Africa faces significant challenges in terms of material and personnel resources for oncology interventions. This is particularly evident in South Africa, where resources are divided into high- and low-resource settings. High-resource settings cater to those with financial means to access private oncology facilities. However, many breast cancer patients receive care in South Africa’s low-resource settings, such as public hospital oncology clinics. Unfortunately, these settings have limited service providers and fail to offer comprehensive interventions, resulting in poor outcomes. However, recent research has highlighted the significance of socially supportive relationships in promoting healing and overall individual well-being, and spirituality has been identified as a source of positive outcomes in cancer patients. This systematic review paper explores the feasibility of implementing support group cancer care and interventions that incorporate social support networks available in community settings, and spiritual practices facilitated by traditional healers, and religious/spiritual leaders. These interventions can be provided within low-resource settings to women diagnosed with breast cancer. Inclusive participation of spouses, children, and extended family in the support group cancer care can facilitate healing for the entire system. Focusing on the strengths and resources within communities and incorporating these complementary services, can enhance the well-being and quality of life for Black African women diagnosed with breast cancer, despite low-resource settings. This approach acknowledges the potential of community-based support networks and encourages collaboration between various stakeholders, including community health educators, nurses, lay counselors, and community volunteers, to address the complex needs of these patients.
文摘School-aged children and their health conditions, in particular, deficient conditions are not less note worthy than in younger children, while the recognition of present low vitamin D provision in children of all age groups has not still resulted in implementation of mass prophylaxis of hypovitaminosis D. There are several factors on which blood concentration of 25 （OH） D--calcidiol-depends. However, it is evident that among numerous factors we should orient on several most significant and develop correction scheme for the deficient condition in every region. Aim： to assess vitamin D levels in adolescents residing in Moscow, to correct their calcidiol status based on a baseline blood concentration of the transport metabolite. Materials and methods： 769 adolescents aged 11-18 years were examined and their blood concentration of 25 （OH） D was determined. Then, 218 patients were randomized to 2 groups： the treatment group received food supplement ＂Minisun~ Vitamin D3＂ in tablets, the control group received placebo. Cholecalciferol dosage was prescribed depending on the baseline calcidiol level in patients. The study continued for 6 months, after that blood was re-withdrawn for calcidiol level. Results： low calcidiol provision was observed among school children： median 25 （OH） D was 16.3 [11.4-20.8] ng/mL, only 5.2% of patients had normal blood concentration of calcidiol. There-examination showed significant differences in vitamin D status in the treatment and control group, in the meantime, during cholecalciferol supplementation, median 25 （OH） D in patients of the treatment group was increased from 16.2 [ 12.25-19.3] ng/mL to 24.2 [21.05-26.4] ng/mL （p 〈 0.001）. Conclusions： the larger part of child population--70.6% has 25 （OH） D concentration 〈 20 ng/mL, cholecalciferol doses used in the study allow eliminating calcidiol deficiency and overcome the boundary of 20 ng/mL, but for normalization of vitamin D status in blood of adolescents residing in Moscow higher dosages shall be used which is to be confirmed by further studies.
