Cancer Training for Frontline Healthcare Providers in Tanzania

• Published in: Journal of cancer education Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 111 - 115
• Main Authors: Rick, Tara J., Deming, Cassondra M., Helland, Janey R., Hartwig, Kari A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.02.2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - diagnosis; Breast Neoplasms - epidemiology; Breast Neoplasms - prevention & control; Cancer; Cancer Research; Cervical cancer; Clinical Competence; Early Detection of Cancer - standards; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Personnel - education; Health Services; Human papillomavirus; Humans; Knowledge; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Pretests Posttests; Risk Assessment; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tanzania - epidemiology; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - diagnosis; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - epidemiology; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - prevention & control; Tanzania; Training; Frontline healthcare workers; Breast cancer; Knowledge; Cervical cancer; Tanzania
• ISSN: 0885-8195; 1543-0154
• DOI: 10.1007/s13187-017-1274-8

Cervical and breast cancer are responsible for the highest cancer-related mortality in Tanzania, although both are preventable or curable if diagnosed at an early stage. Limited knowledge of cervical cancer by clinic and dispensary level healthcare providers in Tanzania is a barrier for prevention and control strategies. The purpose of the study was to provide basic oncology training to frontline healthcare workers with a focus on cervical and breast cancer in order to increase knowledge. A 1-day cancer training symposium was conducted in Arusha, Tanzania, with 43 clinicians. Pre- and post-intervention surveys assessed cancer knowledge and confidence of clinicians in risk assessment. Sixty-nine percent of the participants reported never receiving any cervical cancer training in the past. A significant difference was found between the pre- and post-test in a majority of knowledge questions and in reported confidence recognizing signs and symptoms of breast and cervical cancer ( p  < 0.05). The 1-day community oncology training symposium was effective in delivering and increasing basic knowledge about cervical and breast cancers to these healthcare providers. The low level of baseline cancer knowledge among frontline medical providers in Tanzania illustrates the need for increased training around the country.