• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.121-131
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• 2023

African breast cancer patients benefit less from classical pathology services owing to the complex molecular and clinicopathological nature of the disease, poor quality of laboratory supplies, and shortage of experts in the field. This review presents evidence and confirms the need for improving anatomic pathology services in Africa. Peer-reviewed international journal articles available in Medline, Scopus, PubMed, and Google scholars, describing the status of pathology services in Africa, were included. Besides the late presentation of patients, anatomic pathology laboratories are accountable for the escalated mortality of breast cancer patients in several parts of Africa. Conversely, molecular diversity and biological heterogeneity of breast cancers, which disprove the one-size-fits-all therapeutic approach, have been reported from different parts of the continent. Irrespective of the geographical background, the choice of therapeutic options and predicting disease outcome depends on the right identification of the molecular signature of the cancer type. In conclusion, we propose that upgrading and integrating anatomic pathology with molecular diagnostic pathology is essential in order to provide better diagnostic results that will profoundly impact curbing mortality from breast cancers.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.266-275
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• 2023

Purpose: Although long-term viral suppression and antiretroviral therapy (ART) success depend on sustained adherence, adolescents' adherence rates are suboptimal. Optimal adherence is influenced by various factors. Since Sub-Saharan Africa is home to over 80% of adolescents living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and considering their unique characteristics and susceptibility to poor adherence, it is crucial to provide updated knowledge on adherence rates and their determinants among this population. This review aims to present up-to-date data on adherence rates and associated factors among HIV-positive adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. The PubMed and Scopus databases were used to identify documents corresponding to the study's objectives. Eleven studies were included in this review after being selected from among all studies that were found online from 2017 to 2023. Results: The reported adherence rates ranged from 55% to 86%. In total, 32 factors were found to be related to adherence among HIV-positive adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa. These included 12 adherence-facilitating factors and 20 adherence-inhibiting factors. The most often mentioned factors affecting adherence were advanced World Health Organization clinical stage (i.e., stage IV), ART dose and regimens, a lack of support, and violence victimization. Conclusion: Our findings can help healthcare providers collaborate with HIV-positive adolescents to improve ART adherence and ensure the best possible health outcomes.