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Competing Interests: We declare no competing interests.

Introduction: Although the burden of cervical cancer in Africa is highest, HPV vaccination coverage remains alarmingly low in this region. Providers' knowledge and recommendation are key drivers of HPV vaccination uptake. Yet, evidence about providers' knowledge and recommendation practices about the HPV vaccine against a backdrop of emerging vaccine hesitancy fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic is lacking in Africa., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021-2022 among healthcare providers involved in cervical cancer prevention activities in Africa. They were invited to report prior training, the availability of the HPV vaccine in their practice, whether they recommended the HPV vaccine, and, if not, the reasons for not recommending it. Their knowledge about the HPV vaccine was assessed through self-reporting (perceived knowledge) and with three pre-tested knowledge questions (measured knowledge)., Results: Of the 153 providers from 23 African countries who responded to the survey (mean age: 38.5 years, SD: 10.1), 75 (54.0%) were female and 97 (63.4%) were based In countries with national HPV immunization programs. Overall, 57 (43.8%) reported having received prior training on HPV vaccine education/counseling, and 40 (37.4%) indicated that the HPV vaccine was available at the facility where they work. Most respondents (109, 83.2%) reported recommending the HPV vaccine in their practice. Vaccine unavailability (57.1%), lack of effective communication tools and informational material (28.6%), and need for adequate training (28.6%) were the most commonly reported reasons for not recommending the HPV vaccine. While 63 providers (52.9%) reported that their knowledge about HPV vaccination was adequate for their practice, only 9.9% responded correctly to the 3 knowledge questions., Conclusion: To increase HPV vaccination coverage and counter misinformation about this vaccine in Africa, adequate training of providers and culturally appropriate educational materials are needed to improve their knowledge of the HPV vaccine and to facilitate effective communication with their patients and the community., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Fokom Domgue, Dille, Kapambwe, Yu, Gnangnon, Chinula, Murenzi, Mbatani, Pande, Sidibe, Kamgno, Traore, El Fazazi, Diop, Tebeu, Diomande, Lecuru, Adewole, Plante, Basu, Dangou and Shete.)

Cancer is a major public health concern, impacting nearly 20 million people each year, and it is responsible for 1 in 6 deaths worldwide. The burden of cancer is increasing rapidly, straining health systems that are unable to prevent and manage the disease. Childhood cancer constitutes a significant and relevant public health challenge; it was the ninth leading cause of childhood disease globally, according to findings by the Global Burden of Disease 2017 study. Almost 80% of all children diagnosed with cancer live in low- and middle-income countries where treatment is often unavailable or unaffordable. As a result, only about 15-45% of these children survive compared with more than 80% in high-income countries. This represents a great health inequity. Delivering on the mandate provided by World Health Assembly resolution 70.12, WHO together with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and other global partners launched the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer at the United Nations General Assembly during the third High-level Meeting on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases in September 2018. The Initiative aims to increase global survival for children with cancer to at least 60% by 2030, while reducing suffering for all children with cancer. Five years after launching the Initiative, more than 70 countries across the World Health Organization's 6 regions have advanced to different phases of action through implementation of the Initiative's Cure All framework for action. Many successful approaches to implementing the Cure All pillars and enablers have demonstrated that improving care for children with cancer in low- and middle-income countries is possible as long as there is strong political will, multisectoral commitments and strategic investment.

Competing Interests: We declare no competing interests.

Introduction: In Niger, breast cancer is the first cancer related morbidity and mortality within female population. While awareness can contribute to early diagnosis and disease mortality reduction, Niger women's knowledge of breast cancer is not well documented. In this study, we assessed the awareness, attitudes and practices of women in relation to breast cancer and identify the factors associated with it., Methods: The study was conducted through a cross sectional survey in Zinder and Niamey regions. A random sampling was used to select women in households within health districts. We defined a breast cancer knowledge score and used a generalized linear model to assess factors associated with it., Results: Overall women's knowledge of breast cancer was found to be low, only 41.2% (37.5-45.0) were aware of breast cancer. 65.0% (61.3-68.7) of women demonstrated an awareness of symptoms. Insufficient level of knowledge was observed on knowledge of risk and protection factors with 27.4 % (24.0-31.0), breast cancer good practice with 16.9% (14.2-19.7). Age OR = 0.98 (0.96-0.99), practicing clinical breast examination OR = 2.25 (1.31-3.16), breastfeeding 3.34 (2.12-5.26), not having a history of participation in breast cancer screening and living in rural and peri-urban areas were found to be associated with awareness of breast cancer., Conclusion: Niger women were found to have a relatively low level of breast cancer awareness. While not acquainted with self and clinical breast examination, Niger women knowledge of breast cancer symptoms was acceptable. Awareness programs can promote clinical breast examination as mammography is not common and promote early detection procedures., (© 2020 The Author(s).)

This study aimed at characterizing epidemiologic and clinical profiles of breast diseases in Niger during the period of 2010-2013 at the National Hospital of Niamey. Medical records were abstracted for demographic, reproductive, clinical, and treatment information. A process map of patient navigation and barriers to seeking medical care was developed after interviewing 26 local health professionals who encounter and/or manage breast diseases. We identified 245 breast cancers and 122 other breast diseases. Mean age of breast cancer patients was 45.4 (±13.26 years) and that of breast diseases was 31(±12.5 years) with 1/3 of cancers under age 44. Infection-related diseases represented 24% of non-cancers. Male breast diseases represented 4.75% of diseases and 2.05% of cancers. Only 37.1% of cancers had histopathologic confirmation and 90% of cancer patients presented at advanced stages and mastectomy was performed for 66% of breast cancers. Patient and system barriers to care were common in diagnosing and treating breast diseases. Women in Niger have double burden of infectious breast diseases and emerging breast cancer. Younger age and late diagnosis are common features. Reducing barriers to access to care, down-staging of cancer, implementation of clinical guidelines for managing advanced cases are important needs for reducing breast cancer morbidity and mortality in Niger., Competing Interests: The authors declare they have no conflicts of interests.