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Summary: Colonialism’s enduring impact on Brazil has had significant implications for health and oncology outcomes. This historical essay delves into the profound changes brought about by the transatlantic slave trade from Africa to the Americas, particularly in terms of its influence on the economy, sociocultural habits, and health outcomes. This essay explores the enduring connections between the colonial period’s operational dynamics in Brazil and the current epidemiological panorama of head and neck cancer (HNC). The examination provides original insights on the role of tobacco and alcohol production and consumption, alongside the investigation of structural racism, which contributes to disparities in access to diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for patients with HNC. This article presents novel visions and an analysis of evidence-based strategies to disrupt the adverse impact of colonialism’s legacy on the epidemiology of HNC in Brazil.

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a global public health concern and sub-Saharan Africa, has limited data on STIs in the men who have sex with men (MSM) population. Syndromic management has controversies for treating asymptomatic STIs (ASTIs). Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the risk factors for STIs among MSM. Setting: This study was conducted in Tshwane North, Gauteng Province in South Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed using structured questionnaires, rapid plasma reagent test, from December 2021 to May 2022. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 200 MSM with the mean age of 27.6, standard deviations: 6.8 participated, and STIs prevalence was 66%, with 37% concurrent infections. Ureaplasma urealyticum was (24%), Mycoplasma hominis (23%), Chlamydia trachomatis (20%), Treponema pallidum (20%) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (9%). The risk factors for acquisition of STI include having a new partner in the last month (OR = 1.68; CI: 0.98–3.13). Conclusion: The prevalence of ASTIs is high. Serial and multiple sexual partners are the risk factors. Contribution: This study contributes to the body of knowledge of the burden of STIs among high-risk population.

Cervical cancer is largely preventable through early detection, but screening uptake remains low among black women in South Africa. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with cervical cancer screening in the past 10 years among black African women in primary health care (PHC) clinics, in Gauteng Province, South Africa. This was a cross-sectional study involving 672 consecutively recruited black women at cervical cancer screening programs in PHC clinics between 2017 and 2020. An interviewer-administered questionnaire covered socio-demographics, HIV status, sexual history, cervical cancer risk factors knowledge, and screening behaviours in the past 10 years. The mean age of participants was 38 years. More than half (63%) were aged 30-49 years. Most completed high school education (75%), were unemployed (61%), single (60%), and HIV positive (48%). Only 285 (42.4%) of participants reported screening for cervical cancer in the past 10 years. Of participants that reported receiving information on screening, 27.6% (n = 176) and 13.97% (n = 89) did so from healthcare facilities and community platforms respectively. Participants aged 30 years or more were more likely to report for cervical cancer screening as compared to other categories in the past 10 years. The study found low cervical cancer screening prevalence. This calls for health education campaigns and prevention strategies that would target individual patients' contexts and stages of behavioral change. Such strategies must also consider socio-demographic and clinical correlates of cervical cancer screening and promote better integration into PHC services in South Africa.

Cervical cancer is largely preventable through early detection, but screening uptake remains low among black women in South Africa. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with cervical cancer screening in the past 10 years among black African women in primary health care (PHC) clinics, in Gauteng Province, South Africa. This was a cross-sectional study involving 672 consecutively recruited black women at cervical cancer screening programs in PHC clinics between 2017 and 2020. An interviewer-administered questionnaire covered socio-demographics, HIV status, sexual history, cervical cancer risk factors knowledge, and screening behaviours in the past 10 years. The mean age of participants was 38 years. More than half (63%) were aged 30–49 years. Most completed high school education (75%), were unemployed (61%), single (60%), and HIV positive (48%). Only 285 (42.4%) of participants reported screening for cervical cancer in the past 10 years. Of participants that reported receiving information on screening, 27.6% (n = 176) and 13.97% (n = 89) did so from healthcare facilities and community platforms respectively. Participants aged 30 years or more were more likely to report for cervical cancer screening as compared to other categories in the past 10 years. The study found low cervical cancer screening prevalence. This calls for health education campaigns and prevention strategies that would target individual patients’ contexts and stages of behavioral change. Such strategies must also consider socio-demographic and clinical correlates of cervical cancer screening and promote better integration into PHC services in South Africa.

Seventy to ninety percent of HIV-infected individuals have oral lesions that affect their quality-of-life. Caregivers play an important role in complementing the healthcare team. It is essential that the caregivers have optimal knowledge, beliefs and practices toward the management of care regarding oral-lesions in HIV-infected patients in caregiving institutions in Johannesburg, South Africa. To measure the knowledge, beliefs and practices relating to oral lesions in HIV infection amongst caregivers in caregiving institutions in Johannesburg. This cross-sectional pilot study conducted during 2005 and 2006 involved caregivers in palliative care institutions in Region 8, Johannesburg Metropolitan area (n = 52). Using a questionnaire, information obtained included demographics, knowledge, beliefs and practices with regard to oral care for HIV-positive patients. Principal component analysis was used to extract questionnaire items of the knowledge domain. The knowledge domain displayed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach α-score of > 0.91). Of the caregivers, 65.4% had received training in oral care. Compared to caregivers not trained in oral care (NTOC), those caregivers trained in oral care (TOC) were more likely to be older (31 yrs vs. 44 yrs; p= 0.001), female (72% vs. 94%; p = 0.03) and were less likely to be employed on a full-time basis (94% vs. 68%; p = 0.03). Compared with NTOCs, TOCs had more knowledge regarding HIV-specific lesions and ‘routine’ oral-care for the patients (p < 0.005). Similarly, TOC caregivers had more positive beliefs about oral care for those living with HIV (p < 0.05). Offering training in oral healthcare to caregivers improves their knowledge of oral lesions and their beliefs about oral care. Sewentig tot negentig persent van MIV-geïnfekteerde individue mondelinge letsels wat hul kwaliteit van lewe. Versorgers speel ‘n belangrike rol in die aanvulling van die gesondheidsorg span. Dit is noodsaaklik dat die versorgers het ‘n beter kennis, oortuigings en praktyke na die bestuur van sorg met betrekking tot mondelinge letsels in MIV-geïnfekteerde pasiënte in die versorgingstaak van instellings in Johannesburg, Suid-Afrika. Om die kennis, oortuigings en praktyke met betrekking tot mondelinge letsels in MIV-infeksie onder versorgers in die versorgingstaak van instellings in Johannesburg te meet. Hierdie deursnee-loodsstudie uitgevoer gedurende 2005 en 2006 betrokke versorgers in palliatiewe sorg instellings in Streek 8, Johannesburg Metropolitaanse gebied (n = 52). Met behulp van ‘n vraelys, inligting ingesluit demografie, kennis, oortuigings en praktyke met betrekking tot mondelinge sorg vir MIV-positiewe pasiënte. Principal component analise is gebruik om vraelys items te onttrek van die kennis domein. Die kennis domein vertoon uitstekende interne konsekwentheid (Cronbach α-telling van > 0,91). Van die versorgers, het 65.4% ontvang opleiding in mondelinge sorg. Vergeleke met versorgers wat nie opgelei in mondelinge sorg (NTOC), die versorgers opgelei in mondelinge sorg (TOC), was meer geneig om ouer (31 jaar teen 44 jaar; p = 0.001), vroue (72% teen 94%; p = 0.03) en is minder geneig om te word op ‘n voltydse basis (94% teen 68%, p = 0.03) in diens geneem. Vergeleke met NTOCs, TOCs versorgers het meer kennis aangaande MIV-spesifieke letsels en roetine ‘mondelinge sorg vir die pasiënte (p < 0,005). TOC versorgers het meer positiewe oortuigings oor mondelinge sorg vir diegene wat met MIV (p < 0.05). Aanbod opleiding in mondelinge gesondheidsorg te versorgers verbeter hul kennis van mondelinge letsels en hulle oortuigings oor mondelinge sorg.