KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF CANCER SCREENING AMONG DOCTORS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT TEACHING HOSPITAL

Background:The number of working doctors in Nigeria has continued to drop owing to increasing cancer related morbidity and mortality.

Objective: To determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of cancer screening among doctors at theUniversity of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Nigeria.

Methodology: Structured questionnaire with closed and open ended questions were randomly distributed to Resident doctors and Consultants at UPTH. Respondents socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge, attitude and practice of cancer screening were assessed. Data was analyzed using the IBM statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23.

Results:Of the216respondents - 62.5% were Residents while 37.5% were Honorary Consultants peak age range was31-40 years with 46.3%. Males constituted 51.9% while females constituted 48.1%. Forty-four percent had spent 1-5 years in their current positions. Knowledge of canceramong the respondents was good as 83.3% of the doctors choose the option that cancer is an uncontrollable abnormal cell growth while 95.8% responded that there was no age restriction to cancer.While78.3% would seek immediate treatment if diagnosed with cancer,82.4% favored cancer screening. Poor practice of cancer screening was observed with 58.3% reporting they have never been screened for any type of cancers. Notably, 89.8% of them reported that the Government was not doing enough for cancer patients in the country.

Conclusion:The study demonstrated good knowledge of cancer screening, positive attitude towards screening but poor practice of cancer screening by practicing specialist doctors in UPTH. Given the influence of doctors in the large society, introspection among doctors and initiation of effective advocacy programs by umbrella bodies like the Nigerian Medical Association, Medical and Dental Consultants of Nigeria, National Association of Resident Doctors and Medical Women Association is imperative in order to improve the acceptance and practice of cancer screening among doctors and reduce the burden of cancer mortality being recorded among doctors and other health care professionals.