Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42741247›Full record

ArticleEcancermedicalscience2026

PEDCan: acceptability and feasibility of a mobile application to support primary health-care workers in recognising clinical features of childhood cancer in Uganda.

Barnabas Atwiine, Nura Izath, James Ssemitego, Naome Nsiimenta, Wilson Birungi, Anitah Kusaasira, Nuriat Nambogo, Martin Mukama, Santorino Data

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Ecancermedicalscience, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

9 authors.

Barnabas AtwiineDepartment of Paediatrics and Child Health, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, PO Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda.
Nura IzathConsortium for Affordable Medical Technologies Uganda (CAMTech Uganda), Mbarara University of Science and Technology, PO Box, 1410, Mbarara, Uganda.
James SsemitegoConsortium for Affordable Medical Technologies Uganda (CAMTech Uganda), Mbarara University of Science and Technology, PO Box, 1410, Mbarara, Uganda.
Naome NsiimentaConsortium for Affordable Medical Technologies Uganda (CAMTech Uganda), Mbarara University of Science and Technology, PO Box, 1410, Mbarara, Uganda.
Wilson BirungiIshongorero Health Centre IV, Mbarara District Local Government, PO Box, 1, Mbarara, Uganda Mbarara, Uganda.
Anitah KusaasiraDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mulago National Referral Hospital, PO Box 7051, Kampala, Uganda.
Nuriat NambogoConsortium for Affordable Medical Technologies Uganda (CAMTech Uganda), Mbarara University of Science and Technology, PO Box, 1410, Mbarara, Uganda.
Martin MukamaConsortium for Affordable Medical Technologies Uganda (CAMTech Uganda), Mbarara University of Science and Technology, PO Box, 1410, Mbarara, Uganda.
Santorino DataDepartment of Paediatrics and Child Health, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, PO Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Early diagnosis of childhood cancer depends on a high index of suspicion and timely referral by primary healthcare workers (PHCWs) to tertiary centers. This study aimed to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a mobile application among PHCWs in recognising cancer-related clinical features in children. Methods: We developed a mobile application called (PEDCan) to support PHCWs in recognising cancer-related clinical features in children, initiating remote consultations with specialists and referring suspected cases to cancer centers when necessary. In May 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study among consenting PHCWs in southwestern Uganda to collect data on their knowledge of childhood cancer, smartphone ownership and internet usage. After training participants on the use of the application through mock clinical vignettes, we assessed their ease of use and readiness to adopt the application. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the proportions of participants able and willing to use the application. Ethical approval was obtained from the Research and Ethics Committee of Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Results: A total of 44 PHCWs participated in the study; 25 (56.8%) were nurses or midwives, 8 (18.2%) were clinical officers, 3 (6.8%) were medical doctors and 8 (18.2%) belonged to other professional cadres. All participants had previously heard about childhood cancer, and 28 (63.6%) had previously encountered a child suspected to have cancer. Thirty-eight (86.4%) participants owned a smartphone and used the internet, while 12 (31.6%) reported having constant internet access. Thirty-eight (86.3%) participants found the PEDCan application very easy or easy to use, and all participants expressed willingness to use it. Conclusion: PHCWs in the participating health facilities were able and willing to use the PEDCan mobile application to recognise childhood cancer clinical features and initiate remote expert consultations using mock vignettes. A pilot study involving real patients would further demonstrate the application's effectiveness in real-world clinical settings.

Indexed as

childhood cancerearly diagnosislow- and middle-income countriesprimary healthcare workerstimely referralUganda

Identifiers

PMID42741247
PMCPMC13572566

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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.