Cancer Education in Nigeria: Findings from a Community-based Intervention by a Physicians' Association

Objectives: Cancer causes significant morbidity and mortality in Nigeria, but the country lacks an organized cancer control system. Low awareness of cancers among health professionals in the country contributes to weak cancer control capabilities and poor patient outcomes in Nigeria. This study describes findings from a community-based education intervention by Medical Women's Association of Nigeria and American Society of Clinical Oncology in Akwa Ibom State. Methods: Intervention was the Cancer Control in Primary Care Course. It featured didactic lectures with multimedia components (n=11), demonstrations and simulations (n=4), as well as plenary sessions (n=7). Topics covered included cancer epidemiology (breast/cervical), patient navigation, cancer management, inter-professional collaboration and discussions on Akwa Ibom cancer control framework. Participants (n=124) included physicians, nurses and health policymakers in the state. Mixed methods evaluation of the course formed the basis for data collection and analysis. Results: Ninety-two percent of participants (114/124) completed the evaluation. Majority (51%, 58/114) were general nurses, and the average number of years in practice was 20 (±12.3) years. Evaluation of knowledge showed a median knowledge score of 21 (maximum = 25) points.