Investigating the Nexus between Gynaecologic Cancer and Human Development Index

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the current incidence and mortality rates of gynecologic cancer and their association with socioeconomic development. The data for the age-standardized incidence rate (ASRI) and age-standardized mortality rate (ASRM) were acquired from the GLOBOCAN-2012 database. Human Development Index (HDI) data were obtained from the 2015-Human Development Report. The correlation between HDI and Mortality to Incidence Ratio (MIR) was assessed by Pearsoncorrelation. The effect of national-HDI on MIR was analyzed by linear regression analysis. The ASRI, ASRM, and MIR of cervix cancer were higher in the less developed regions (LDRs) than in more developed regions (MDRs). However, for corpus uteri cancer, the ASRI was 3.6 times and the ASRM was 1.5-times higher in the MDRs than in the LDRs. Strong inverse
associations between MIR and HDI were reported from cervix (adjusted R2 = 0.825, β = – 0.908, p < 0.001), corpus uteri (adjusted R2 = 0.554, β = – 0.746, p < 0.001) and ovarian cancer (adjusted R2 = 0.579, β = – 0.763, p < 0.001). The higher MIR of gynecologic cancer in LDRs demand for  sustainable investment in health systems and balanced cancer control plans in the region. (Afr J Reprod Health 2020; 24[1]: 53-61).

Keywords: Gynecologic cancer, epidemiology, socioeconomic status