Evidence map›Paper›PMID 36129938›Full record

ArticlePloS one2022

Understanding and comparing the medical tourism cancer patient with the locally managed patient: A case control study.

Mary W Wangai, Frederick K Wangai, Francis Njiri, Enan N Wangai, Paul Wangai, Catherine Nyongesa, John Kinuthia

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
1.9field-weighted citation impact, top 13% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 8 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.

Mary W WangaiDepartment of International Health Relations, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya.ORCID 0000-0003-3816-7749
Frederick K WangaiDepartment of Clinical Medicine and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
Francis NjiriUniversity of Nairobi Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Nairobi, Kenya.
Enan N WangaiSchool of Medicine, College of Health Sciences-University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
Paul WangaiMedicare Wellness Centers, Nairobi, Kenya.
Catherine NyongesaCancer Treatment Center, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya.
John KinuthiaResearch and Programs Department, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya.
University of Nairobi · KEKenyatta National Hospital · KEMinistry of Health · KE

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionMedical tourism is characterized by people seeking treatment abroad for various medical conditions due to varied reasons, many of whom benefit from specialized care for non-communicable diseases. Conversely, there are associated negative effects such as medical complications and weakened health systems. Currently, there is paucity of scientific evidence on patient-related factors influencing seeking treatment benefits abroad. This study sought to compare patient-related factors associated with choice of cancer treatment center locally or abroad, to understand reasons for seeking treatment outside Kenya. MATERIALS AND

methodsAs a case-control study, 254 cancer patients were randomly sampled to compare responses from those who chose to receive initial treatment abroad or in Kenya. The cases were recruited from Ministry of Health while the controls from Kenyatta National Hospital and Texas Cancer Center. Data was analyzed using SPSS Software Version 21. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multiple logistic regression analysis was carried out. Level of significance was set at 5%.

resultsOut of 254 respondents, 174 (69.5%) were treated for cancer in Kenya and 80 (31.5%) in India. We found that cost effectiveness was a significant factor for over 73% of all respondents. The study revealed independent predictors for seeking treatment in India were: monthly income higher than US$ 250; every additional month from when disclosure to patients was done increased likelihood by 1.16 times; physician advice (Odds Ratio(OR) 66; 95% Confidence Interval(CI) 7.9-552.9); friends and family (OR 42; 95% CI 7.07-248.6); and perception of better quality of care (OR 22.5; 95% CI 2.2-230.6).

conclusionReasons patients with cancer sought treatment in India are multifactorial. Several of these can be addressed to reverse out-ward bound medical tourism and contribute to improving the in-country cancer healthcare. It will require strengthening the health system accordingly and sensitizing the medical fraternity and general public on the same.

Indexed as

Medical TourismNeoplasmsCase-Control StudiesDelivery of Health CareFriendsHumansIncome

Identifiers

PMID36129938
PMCPMC9491543
OpenAlexW4296801112

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.