Nyagabona Sarah Kutika, Mushi Beatrice Paul, Selekwa Musiba, Philipo Godfrey Sama, Haddadi Sumaiya, Kadhim Emilie Fatima, Breithaupt Lindsay, Maongezi Sarah, Mwaiselage Julius, Balandya Emmanuel, Leyna Germana Henry, Van Loon Katherine, Mmbaga Elia John
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Global Cancer Program, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, California, USA.
J Glob Health Rep. 2021;5. doi: 10.29392/001c.22120. Epub 2021 Apr 29.
The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, in Africa is rising. Policymakers are charged with formulating evidence-based cancer control plans; however, there is a paucity of data on cancers generated from within Africa. As part of efforts to enhance cancer research training in East Africa, we performed a needs assessment and gap analysis of cancer-related research training resources in Tanzania.
A mixed-methods study to evaluate existing individual, institutional, and national resources supporting cancer research training in Tanzania was conducted. Qualitative data were collected using in-depth interviews while quantitative data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and online surveys. The study also included a desk-review of policy and guidelines related to NCD research and training. Study participants were selected to represent five groups: (i) policymakers; (ii) established researchers; (iii) research support personnel; (iv) faculty members in degree training programs; and (v) post-graduate trainees.
Our results identified challenges in four thematic areas. First, there is a need for coordination and monitoring of the cancer research agenda at the national level. Second, both faculty and trainees identified the need for incorporation of rigorous training to improve research competencies. Third, sustained mentoring and institutional investment in development of mentorship resources is critical to empowering early career investigators. Finally, academic institutions can enhance research outputs by providing adequate research infrastructure, prioritizing protected time for research, and recognizing research accomplishments by trainees and faculty.
As we look towards establishment of cancer research training programs in East Africa, investment in the development of rigorous research training, mentorship resources, and research infrastructure will be critical to empowering local health professionals to engage in cancer research activities.
在非洲，包括癌症在内的非传染性疾病负担正在上升。政策制定者负责制定基于证据的癌症控制计划；然而，非洲内部产生的癌症数据匮乏。作为加强东非癌症研究培训工作的一部分，我们对坦桑尼亚癌症相关研究培训资源进行了需求评估和差距分析。
开展了一项混合方法研究，以评估支持坦桑尼亚癌症研究培训的现有个人、机构和国家资源。通过深入访谈收集定性数据，同时使用自填式问卷和在线调查收集定量数据。该研究还包括对与非传染性疾病研究和培训相关的政策和指南进行案头审查。研究参与者被选定代表五个群体：（i）政策制定者；（ii）资深研究人员；（iii）研究支持人员；（iv）学位培训项目的教员；（v）研究生学员。
我们的结果确定了四个主题领域的挑战。第一，需要在国家层面协调和监测癌症研究议程。第二，教员和学员都认为需要纳入严格培训以提高研究能力。第三，持续的指导以及对指导资源开发的机构投资对于增强早期职业研究人员的能力至关重要。最后，学术机构可以通过提供充足的研究基础设施、优先安排受保护的研究时间以及认可学员和教员的研究成果来提高研究产出。
在我们展望在东非建立癌症研究培训项目时，投资于严格的研究培训、指导资源和研究基础设施的开发对于增强当地卫生专业人员参与癌症研究活动的能力至关重要。
