Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40453499›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in public health2025

Cancer health literacy in Kenya - A scoping review on evidence, concept and a situational analysis of interventions.

Stefanie Harsch, Lea S Weber, Dinah Kassaman, Peter N Kailemia, Victor O Oria

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Enhancing Cancer Education in Sub-Saharan Africa Opportunities for Early Detection and Improved Outcomes.Journal of cancer education : the official journal of the American Association for Cancer Education · 2026
    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

5 authors.

Stefanie HarschCenter for Medicine and Society, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
Lea S WeberCenter for Medicine and Society, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
Dinah KassamanSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.
Peter N KailemiaSchool of Nursing, Meru University of Science and Technology, Meru, Kenya.
Victor O OriaResearch Division, Integrated Cancer Research Foundation (ICRF Kenya), Nairobi, Kenya.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: In light of the rising incidences of cancer in Kenya, there is an urgent need to evaluate and strengthen cancer health literacy (CHL). Nevertheless, no review has been undertaken to synthesise the empirical evidence on CHL in Kenya. This study aims to review the evidence, explore the use of the concept CHL and, assess the situation of HL interventions. Method: A comprehensive scoping review was conducted to explore the evidence on CHL in Kenya. The review included a thorough concept analysis, based on the work of Sorensen et al. and a situational analysis, employing the precede-proceed model of Green and Kreuter. Nine international scientific databases (PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, OpenDissertation, ERIC, Cochrane Library, African Journals Online, and African Index Medicus) were searched to identify articles on cancer health literacy-related concepts in Kenya since 2010. Two researchers screened the titles and abstracts and analysed the full texts based on the eligibility criteria. Data was extracted using a deductively developed coding scheme. Results: A total of 727 articles were identified, of which 110 deemed eligible for analysis. The studies presented findings on the geographical distribution, cancer type, phase of the cancer care continuum, target group, cancer-related aspects, and intervention's influencing factors. Most studies concentrated on early detection and assessed barriers and facilitators. A mere 31 studies reported on treatment. There is a paucity of knowledge regarding educational interventions for cancer patients and their effectiveness. The concept of CHL was primarily concerned with possessing knowledge and information, with relatively little attention devoted to the processes of using them, specifically their appraisal and application. Various situational aspects of interventions were identified. Conclusion: Further research is required to develop and implement promising interventions for the general public and cancer patients, enabling them to utilise information more effectively. Interventions that are decentralised, digital, and involve cancer patients and survivors are recommended to meet the needs of the growing numbers of cancer patients and their families. The findings can inform the development of promising CHL interventions and mitigate their barriers in Kenya and beyond.

Indexed as

Health LiteracyNeoplasmsHumansKenyacancercancer health literacyhealth literacyinterventionsKenyascoping review

Identifiers

PMID40453499
PMCPMC12124285

What OpenQuestion holds

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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.