Prevalence and Burden of Cancer in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia: A Retrospective Pathology‐Based Analysis

Abstract

Background: Despite the increasing incidence of cancer worldwide, the knowledge about the trend of cancer incidence in Ethiopia is limited. The paucity of core cancer diagnostic services like pathology, diagnostic imaging technology, and the absence of a comprehensive national cancer registry masked the exact magnitude of cancer incidence in Ethiopia in general and the Wolaita area in particular. This study is aimed at filling the gap by analyzing diagnostic data from a referral clinic. The clinic used to serve as a primary diagnostic center for patients referred from over 25 healthcare facilities in the region. Methods: A pathology sample retrospective analysis-based prevalence study was conducted for the period between December 2017 and February 2022. Records saved in computers were subjected to analysis by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software Version 22. The data were used to analyze the types and distribution of cancers in the region across age, sex, and diagnosis. Results and Discussions: The results showed notable gender disparities, with women experiencing a greater prevalence of breast cancer and men mostly receiving diagnoses for soft tissue sarcomas. The most prevalent forms of cancer were determined, along with the locations of each. The study also emphasized how different referral facilities, such as general hospitals, primary hospitals, and medium-sized clinics, had varying cancer incidence rates. Although generalizability may be limited by the study's clinic-based design, its relevance to comparable healthcare settings in Ethiopia and other low-resource locations is strengthened by the large and diverse sample drawn from a variety of referral institutions. This study emphasizes the necessity of focused screening programs and greater cancer awareness in Wolaita Zone, particularly in rural regions. The results also suggest possible directions for future investigation, such as population-based studies to confirm and build upon these findings. Conclusions: This study provides crucial insights into the cancer burden in Wolaita Zone and emphasizes the importance of improving diagnostic and preventive measures. Further research, including broader, population-based studies, is necessary to confirm these findings and inform regional cancer control strategies.