Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40608187›Full record

ArticleJournal of religion and health2025

Holistic Spiritual Care Practices, Competencies, and Needs in Cancer Treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review.

Mihretie Gedfew, Addisu Getie, Temesgen Ayenew, Abere Kassie, Betelhem Addis Aynalem, Tadesse Yirga Akalu

Abstract readScoping Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of religion and health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Mihretie GedfewDebre Markos Ethiopia, Debre Markos University, PO. BOX 269, Debre Markos, Ethiopia. mihretie_gedefaw@dmu.edu.et.
Addisu GetieDebre Markos Ethiopia, Debre Markos University, PO. BOX 269, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.
Temesgen AyenewDebre Markos Ethiopia, Debre Markos University, PO. BOX 269, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.
Abere KassieDebre Markos Ethiopia, Debre Markos University, PO. BOX 269, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.
Betelhem Addis AynalemDebre Markos Ethiopia, Debre Markos University, PO. BOX 269, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.
Tadesse Yirga AkaluDebre Markos Ethiopia, Debre Markos University, PO. BOX 269, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

This scoping review critically examines the impact of spiritual care interventions on cancer patients in sub-Saharan Africa, with particular attention to the cultural and contextual factors that influence the delivery of care. Spiritual care is integral to fostering holistic healthcare, particularly in oncology settings where the emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of patients are paramount. Consequently, the primary objective of this scoping review was to systematically map and delineate the effects of spiritual care on cancer patients across sub-Saharan Africa. A comprehensive search of relevant electronic databases was conducted to identify studies focusing on spiritual care interventions for cancer patients in this region. Data extraction involved a meticulous analysis of study characteristics, including the populations studied, the nature of the interventions, and the outcomes reported. The synthesis of the data entailed categorizing the interventions and evaluating their effectiveness based on the reported outcomes. The review synthesized findings from sixteen studies, which revealed a broad spectrum of spiritual care approaches, encompassing both traditional healing practices and structured interventions facilitated by healthcare professionals. Notably, significant positive outcomes were observed, including improvements in quality of life, enhanced coping strategies, and heightened spiritual well-being among patients who received spiritual care interventions. This scoping review highlights the critical role of culturally attuned spiritual care interventions in improving the overall well-being of cancer patients in sub-Saharan Africa. The findings underscore the need for further research aimed at integrating spiritual care into comprehensive cancer care programs that are specifically tailored to the unique cultural and contextual needs of the region. The review calls for a concerted effort to embed these interventions within the broader framework of cancer care in sub-Saharan Africa to optimize patient outcomes and provide holistic support.

Indexed as

Holistic HealthNeoplasmsSpiritualitySpiritual TherapiesAfrica South of the SaharaHumansCancer patientsScoping reviewSpiritual careSub-Saharan Africa

Identifiers

PMID40608187

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.