Knowledge attitudes and practices of healthcare providers in level four Hospitals of Western Kenya towards childhood Cancer

Abstract

Background: Several types of childhood cancer have been found to be curable if detected early and the appropriate management instituted in good time. The level of Knowledge attitude and practices of healthcare providers have an impact on the management and outcome of childhood cancer. Broad Objective: To assess knowledge, attitudes and practices towards childhood cancer among health care providers in selected level 4 hospitals in Western Kenya. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study carried out between March and August 2013 among HCPs in four level 4 hospitals in Western Kenya. Data collection was done by use of a self administered questionnaire. Descriptive data about knowledge on definition, common childhood cancers, clinical presentation, risk factors, diagnosis, management and referral system was collected. Data on attitudes and practices towards childhood cancer was also collected. Data was entered into an excel spread sheet, later exported to STATA V10 for analysis. Findings: 238 HCPs participated in the study. 176 (73.9%) were female and 151 (63.4%) were nursing officers. The mean age (in years) and length of practice in years were 37.9 ± 10.4 and 13.7 ± 11.9 respectively. The most common source of information was tertiary institutions 177(74.5%). Although sixty eight percent of the healthcare providers had very good knowledge with regards to childhood cancer majority of HCPs except for the MOs scored poorly on the clinical presentation of childhood cancer. The differences in level of knowledge varied by study site, gender and not by cadre. Although majority of the HCPs scored well in the attitude score, a significant proportion (26%) still exhibited a negative attitude however, there was no significant association between attitude and cadre, site or gender. Only 87(36.6%) of the HCPs had ever participated in childhood cancer management with 54(62.3%) participating in referral. Conclusions: There was a very good level of knowledge on childhood cancer except in clinical presentation where knowledge among MOs was satisfactory but inadequate among COs and NOs. Although the overall attitude was positive, there is a significant proportion of HCPs who portrayed a negative attitude. Less than half of health care providers had ever participated in the management of childhood cancers. The differences in level of knowledge varied by study site, gender and not by cadre. Recommendation: Educational programs targeted at enhancing knowledge, attitudinal change and imparting proper practices among the HCPs by the relevant training bodies/institutions should be enhanced.