SEARCHSYSTEMATIC_REVIEWoncology, epidemiology

systematic_review·oncology, epidemiology, public health, systematic review·PMC10490941

Collection of cancer-specific data in population-based surveys in low- and middle-income countries: A review of the demographic and health surveys

PLOS Global Public Health · 5 authors, 4 centres

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TL;DR

This systematic review analyzed cancer-specific questions across 316 completed Demographic and Health Surveys in 90 low- and middle-income countries.

Full summary

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This systematic review examined all Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted since 1985 to assess the inclusion of cancer-specific questions in population-based surveys across low- and middle-income countries. Of 316 completed surveys across 90 countries, 81 (25.6%) included at least one cancer-specific question. Cervical cancer questions appeared in 54 surveys (17.1%), breast cancer in 41 (13.0%), prostate cancer in 8 (2.5%), and other cancers in 40 (12.6%). Only 39 of 90 countries (43.3%) had at least one survey with cancer-specific questions. The frequency of cancer questions increased over time from approximately 15% in 1985–1989 to 60% in 2020–2021. The Latin America and Caribbean region had the most surveys with cancer questions, while Africa had the fewest relative to its total number of DHS surveys. Limitations include that the review did not assess broader DHS methodology such as training manuals, question conceptualization, or use of data in practice.

STUDY TYPE

systematic_review

SPECIALTY

oncology

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AI pipeline

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100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10490941

Collection of cancer-specific data in population-based surveys in low- and middle-income countries: A review of the demographic and health surveys

PLOS Global Public Health

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ABSTRACT

Population-based surveys, such as those conducted by the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Programme, can collect and disseminate the data needed to inform cancer control efforts in a standardised and comparable manner. This review examines the DHS questionnaires, with the aim of describing and analysing how cancer-specific questions have been asked from the inception of the surveys to date. A systematic search of the DHS database was conducted to identify cancer-specific questions asked in surveys. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the cancer-specific questions across survey years and countries. In addition, the framing and scope of questions were appraised. A total of 341 DHS surveys (including standard, interim, continuous and special DHS surveys) have been conducted in 90 countries since 1985, 316 of which have been completed. A total of 39 (43.3%) of the countries have conducted at least one DHS survey with one or more cancer-specific questions. Of the 316 surveys with available final reports and questionnaires, 81 (25.6%) included at least one cancer-specific question; 54 (17.1%) included questions specific to cervical cancer, 41 (13.0%) asked questions about breast cancer, and 8 (2.5%) included questions related to prostate cancer. Questions related to other cancers (including colorectal, laryngeal, liver, lung, oral cavity, ovarian and non-site-specific cancers) were included in 40 (12.6%) of the surveys. Cancer screening-related questions were the most commonly asked. The majority of the surveys included questions on alcohol and tobacco use, which are known cancer risk factors. The frequency of cancer-specific questions has increased, though unsteadily, since inception of the DHS. Overall, the framing and scope of the cancer questions varied considerably across countries and survey years. To aid the collection of more useful population-level data to inform cancer-control priorities, it is imperative to improve the scope and content of cancer-specific questions in future DHS surveys.

CITATION EXPORT

Chukwudi A. Nnaji, Jennifer Moodley, Samiratou Ouédraogo et al.. Collection of cancer-specific data in population-based surveys in low- and middle-income countries: A review of the demographic and health surveys. PLOS Global Public Health. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0002332

AUTHORS

5 · 4 CENTRES

Chukwudi A. Nnaji, Jennifer Moodley, Samiratou Ouédraogo, Prabhdeep Kaur, Prabhdeep Kaur

1 School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
2 Cancer Research Initiative, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
3 SAMRC Gynaecology Cancer Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, INDIA

EDITOR / REVIEWER

Prabhdeep Kaur