Some Traits on the Outcome of the Treatment of Cervical Cancer in Tanzania: A Case Study of Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI)

Abstract

Background: In Tanzania, like in many other poor African countries, cervical cancer is a major problem facing women especially for those aged 30 years and above. This study aimed at constructing a statistical model to enable the prediction of the outcome of treatment for cervical cancer patients in Tanzania. Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from patient’s files with histological proven cervical cancer who were treated at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) from year 2009 and followed up to year 2011. The factors considered are screening status, HIV status, disease stage, age, treatment type and the intent of the treatment. The study employed the Chi-square (χ2) test and the logistic regression model for its analysis. Results:  The Chi-square (χ2) test result showed that there was a significant relationship between outcome of treatment and the patient screening status, HIV status, disease stage and intent of treatment at 5% level of significance. On the other hand, the logistic regression results found patient disease stage and intent of the treatment to be statistically significant at 95 percent. Logistic regression results also showed that patients who attended ORCI when their disease at a late stage had an odds ratio of 0.128 less likely to have favorable outcomes compared to those patients who attended ORCI when their disease stage was at early stages. The odds ratio for cervical cancer patients who received both treatment, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy was 2.643 more likely to have favorable outcomes Conclusion:  More emphasis and campaigns should be made in order to encourage women all over the country to attend cancer centers for screening and treatment at early stages or even before any symptoms for cervical cancer and other types of cancers.