Challenges and Suggestions in the Management of Stomach and Colorectal Cancer in Uzbekistan: The Third Report of the Uzbekistan-Korea Oncology Consortium.

In general, as the national standard of living and life expectancy of people increase, the health burden of cancer also increases. Prevention strategies, including the screening and investigation of the causes of cancer as well as the expansion of treatment infrastructure, are necessary. In this review, we discussed the management strategies for gastric and colorectal cancers in Uzbekistan. Gastrointestinal cancers can be significantly prevented by certain screening strategies such as endoscopic examination. Furthermore, as both cancer types are closely related to the eating habits and lifestyles of people in Uzbekistan, such causes should be investigated and prevented. Practical advice to increase the efficiency of treatment is included, considering the current situation in Uzbekistan. Data from South Korea, which has performed nationwide screening for two decades and has made progress in improving the prognosis of patients with gastrointestinal cancers, will be discussed as a literature control.

Delay in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in Uzbekistan: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis and prompt effective therapy are crucial for the prevention of tuberculosis (TB) transmission, particularly in regions with high levels of multi-drug resistant TB. This study aimed to evaluate the extent of delay in diagnosis and treatment of TB in Uzbekistan and identify associated risk factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on hospital patients with newly diagnosed TB. The time between the onset of respiratory symptoms and initiation of anti-TB treatment was assessed and delays were divided into patient, health system and total delays. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate determinants of diagnostic and treatment delay. RESULTS: Among 538 patients enrolled, the median delay from onset of symptoms until treatment with anti-TB drugs was 50 days. Analysis of the factors affecting health-seeking behaviour and timely treatment showed the presence of the patient factor. Self-medication was the first health-seeking action for 231 (43%) patients and proved to be a significant predictor of delay (p = 0.005), as well as coughing (p = 0.009), loss of weight (p = 0.001), and visiting private and primary healthcare facilities (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: TB diagnostic and treatment delay was mainly contributed to by patient delay and should be reduced through increasing public awareness of TB symptoms and improving public health-seeking behaviour for timely initiation of anti-TB treatment. Efforts should be made to minimise irrational use of antibiotics and support interventions to restrict over-the-counter availability of antibiotics.