Management of Psychosocial and Sexual Complains Among Cancer Patients in the African Context: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: There is a lack of specialised psychosocial and sexual therapies for cancer patients in the African context.

Aim: This paper aims to highlight gaps in capacities of health care providers to address psychosocial and sexual needs of patients suffering from cancer disease, develop and share the proposed algorithm of psychosocial and sexual care management in the African context.

Methods: We conducted a scoping review of literature that highlights the psychosocial and sexual complications associated with cancer disease and its management, especially in the African context. A systematic search of bibliographic databases and websites including BioMed Central, PubMed Central, Taylor and Francis Online, Wiley online Library, EBSCOHOST databases using appropriate keywords on management of cancer in Africa was conducted between January 1, 2000 to March 31, 2021, using search words: 'cancer; cancer treatment; 'cancer management'; 'cancer complications'; 'psychosocial and sexual complications of cancer'. Identified publications were screened against selection criteria following the PRISMA guidelines.

Outcomes: Characteristics or psycho-social and sexual outcomes of cancer were examined and associated management charted in an excel framework with the 6 studies that met the eligibility criteria.

Results: A total of 6 studies were retrieved that met the eligibility criteria.

Clinical translation: There is need to strengthen capacities of health care providers in the African health care system regarding the management of psychosocial and sexual complications associated with cancer disease.

Strengths and limitations: The study's utilised a rapid scoping review approach that aimed to shed some light regarding the gaps in cancer management, while also providing a much-needed solution to care for cancer survivors in the African context.

Conclusions: The study proposes a psychosocial and sexual algorithm of care to be utilised by health care providers for the management of psychosexual complications associated with cancer disease. The algorithm can assist and facilitate the integration of psychosocial and sexual cancer programs into existing health care services in primary health care facilities making it accessible to most patients.