Institutional management factors influencing compliance with National Cancer Treatment Guidelines for cervical cancer: a case study from ocean road cancer institute, Tanzania

Abstract Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, with approximately 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths reported in 2020. Like many other countries, Tanzania adopted the National Cancer Treatment Guidelines (NCTGs) in 2020 to improve the quality of care and ensure pa...

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Main Authors: Felister Tupa, Thadeus Ruwaichi, Pankras Luoga, Julius Mwaiselage, Salum J. Lidenge, Malale Tungu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Cancer
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-14702-y
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author Felister Tupa
Thadeus Ruwaichi
Pankras Luoga
Julius Mwaiselage
Salum J. Lidenge
Malale Tungu
author_facet Felister Tupa
Thadeus Ruwaichi
Pankras Luoga
Julius Mwaiselage
Salum J. Lidenge
Malale Tungu
author_sort Felister Tupa
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, with approximately 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths reported in 2020. Like many other countries, Tanzania adopted the National Cancer Treatment Guidelines (NCTGs) in 2020 to improve the quality of care and ensure patient safety. However, despite the adoption of these guidelines, cervical cancer care in many healthcare facilities remains unstandardized. This study aimed to explore the institutional management factors influencing compliance with the NCTGs for cervical cancer care at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI). A case study design using a process evaluation approach was employed to assess the role of institutional management in influencing guidelines adherence. The study was conducted at ORCI, where 20 healthcare providers were purposively selected for in-depth interviews based on their experience and depth of knowledge on the topic. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated from Swahili to English. Thematic analysis was conducted by coding and organizing the transcribed texts to identify emerging themes and sub-themes. Findings revealed that key institutional management factors promoting compliance with the NCTGs at ORCI include the existence of a well-defined policy on guidelines utilization, a supportive working environment, and a well-established support system. Conversely, a significant barrier identified was the low healthcare provider-to-patient ratio and machine downtime. The study found that strong institutional management characterized by clear policies, a supportive work environment, and effective support systems facilitates adherence to the NCTGs at ORCI. Nonetheless, the shortage of healthcare personnel poses a major challenge. Therefore, it is essential for the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with ORCI management, to recruit additional oncologists, surgeons, and other critical healthcare professionals. Strengthening the provider-to-patient ratio is crucial for improving compliance with the NCTGs and ultimately enhancing the quality of cervical cancer care.
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spelling doaj-art-1c44b3bf6ff1444f8aee0197c9de265b2025-08-20T03:46:09ZengBMCBMC Cancer1471-24072025-08-0125111010.1186/s12885-025-14702-yInstitutional management factors influencing compliance with National Cancer Treatment Guidelines for cervical cancer: a case study from ocean road cancer institute, TanzaniaFelister Tupa0Thadeus Ruwaichi1Pankras Luoga2Julius Mwaiselage3Salum J. Lidenge4Malale Tungu5Ocean Road Cancer InstituteDepartment of Development Studies, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS)Department of Development Studies, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS)Ocean Road Cancer InstituteOcean Road Cancer InstituteDepartment of Development Studies, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS)Abstract Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, with approximately 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths reported in 2020. Like many other countries, Tanzania adopted the National Cancer Treatment Guidelines (NCTGs) in 2020 to improve the quality of care and ensure patient safety. However, despite the adoption of these guidelines, cervical cancer care in many healthcare facilities remains unstandardized. This study aimed to explore the institutional management factors influencing compliance with the NCTGs for cervical cancer care at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI). A case study design using a process evaluation approach was employed to assess the role of institutional management in influencing guidelines adherence. The study was conducted at ORCI, where 20 healthcare providers were purposively selected for in-depth interviews based on their experience and depth of knowledge on the topic. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated from Swahili to English. Thematic analysis was conducted by coding and organizing the transcribed texts to identify emerging themes and sub-themes. Findings revealed that key institutional management factors promoting compliance with the NCTGs at ORCI include the existence of a well-defined policy on guidelines utilization, a supportive working environment, and a well-established support system. Conversely, a significant barrier identified was the low healthcare provider-to-patient ratio and machine downtime. The study found that strong institutional management characterized by clear policies, a supportive work environment, and effective support systems facilitates adherence to the NCTGs at ORCI. Nonetheless, the shortage of healthcare personnel poses a major challenge. Therefore, it is essential for the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with ORCI management, to recruit additional oncologists, surgeons, and other critical healthcare professionals. Strengthening the provider-to-patient ratio is crucial for improving compliance with the NCTGs and ultimately enhancing the quality of cervical cancer care.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-14702-yCervical cancerNational Cancer treatment guidelinesOcean road Cancer InstituteComplianceInstitutional managementTanzania
spellingShingle Felister Tupa
Thadeus Ruwaichi
Pankras Luoga
Julius Mwaiselage
Salum J. Lidenge
Malale Tungu
Institutional management factors influencing compliance with National Cancer Treatment Guidelines for cervical cancer: a case study from ocean road cancer institute, Tanzania
BMC Cancer
Cervical cancer
National Cancer treatment guidelines
Ocean road Cancer Institute
Compliance
Institutional management
Tanzania
title Institutional management factors influencing compliance with National Cancer Treatment Guidelines for cervical cancer: a case study from ocean road cancer institute, Tanzania
title_full Institutional management factors influencing compliance with National Cancer Treatment Guidelines for cervical cancer: a case study from ocean road cancer institute, Tanzania
title_fullStr Institutional management factors influencing compliance with National Cancer Treatment Guidelines for cervical cancer: a case study from ocean road cancer institute, Tanzania
title_full_unstemmed Institutional management factors influencing compliance with National Cancer Treatment Guidelines for cervical cancer: a case study from ocean road cancer institute, Tanzania
title_short Institutional management factors influencing compliance with National Cancer Treatment Guidelines for cervical cancer: a case study from ocean road cancer institute, Tanzania
title_sort institutional management factors influencing compliance with national cancer treatment guidelines for cervical cancer a case study from ocean road cancer institute tanzania
topic Cervical cancer
National Cancer treatment guidelines
Ocean road Cancer Institute
Compliance
Institutional management
Tanzania
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-14702-y
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