Sustaining an Early Detection Program for Childhood Cancers in Cameroon: A Qualitative Study

Globally, sustaining evidence-based innovations (EBIs) in public health and health care settings remains a critical challenge, with up to 60% of EBIs failing to maintain the delivery of their core components and intended health benefits after initial adoption and implementation. This is especially relevant in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where EBIs to strengthen childhood cancer and other health programmes are increasingly being implemented without sufficient research attention to their long-term sustainment. To address this gap, the proposed project aims to examine how an early detection program for childhood cancers is being sustained across multiple health districts in Cameroon, combining quantitative and qualitative methods to understand the health system factors that support or hinder its sustained delivery and impact. By working closely with local health leaders and pediatric oncology clinicians, the study will generate practical, context-specific insights to inform how early cancer detection programs can be strengthened and sustained in Cameroon and similar low-resource settings, ultimately improving timely diagnosis and treatment for large populations of children with cancer.

Faculty Supervisor:

Avram Denburg

Student:

Partner:

University of Bamenda

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

University of Toronto

Program: