Mapping stakeholders for developing cancer research in Small Island Developing States: a descriptive study from the...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Health Policy

Background:

• Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face high cancer mortality due to limited local epidemiological data.
• Stakeholder engagement is crucial for driving cancer research and control initiatives in SIDS.
• The Cancer in Small Island Developing States of the Eastern Caribbean (CaSIDEC) study was developed to address these gaps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map cancer control stakeholders in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) for the CaSIDEC study.
• To assess stakeholder interest and power to inform engagement strategies.
• To identify key groups influencing cancer research and policy in the region.

Main Methods:

• Stakeholders were identified through professional networks, snowballing, and public directories.
• Interest and power were scored based on available information and interactions.
• Stakeholders were categorized into engagement typologies: promoters, latent, advocates, or bystanders.

Main Results:

• Of 159 identified stakeholders, 96 were analyzed, comprising supporters (36%), policymakers (32%), implementers (18%), and civil society leaders (14%).
• Overall mean scores for interest and power were low (4.5/10 and 4.7/10, respectively).
• Stakeholders were classified as latent (29%), bystanders (28%), advocates (23%), and promoters (20%), with implementers and policymakers forming the majority of promoters.

Conclusions:

• This is the first stakeholder mapping for an epidemiological study in the Caribbean.
• Low interest in large-scale epidemiological studies was observed, similar to other developing countries.
• Cancer support groups and implementers emerged as strong advocates, highlighting their potential to drive research and policy.