Abstract
Esophageal cancer is the most common malignancy in Western Kenya and patients present with advanced disease. To determine baseline level of knowledge of esophageal cancer in Bomet District in order to develop targeted and effective educational classes. A questionnaire with twelve questions testing knowledge about esophageal cancer and eight questions aimed at determining barriers to healthcare was conducted out of Tenwek Hospital from June to July 2010. Eighty-one questionnaires were completed. 33% thought that cancer is a virus and 35% thought that it is contagious. 47% did not think that family history is a risk factor. 79% accurately claimed dysphagia as the most common symptom for esophageal cancer. 40% thought that herbal therapy is the optimal treatment for esophageal cancer. Cost and fear of diagnosis were cited as the most significant barriers to healthcare. Most participants had a monthly income of less than 3000 Kenyan schillings (37.5 US dollars); for 37% of participants, the cost of transport to the hospital represented a third of their monthly income. The questionnaire provided population-specific information on cancer knowledge and aided in targeting barriers to healthcare access. These factors will be incorporated into the cancer education outreach program of Tenwek Hospital.
Highlights
Cancer is frequently overlooked as a significant contributor to the global burden of disease, despite being responsible for 20% of the 11 million annual deaths in developed countries and 13% of the 22 million annual deaths in developing countries[1]
The first case series looking at esophageal cancer in Kenya by Ahmed and Cook in 1969 found that in certain regions of Central and Western Kenya, esophageal cancer ranked as the first or second most common cancer[5]
Esophageal cancer is the most common malignancy diagnosed in Western Kenya
Summary
Cancer is frequently overlooked as a significant contributor to the global burden of disease, despite being responsible for 20% of the 11 million annual deaths in developed countries and 13% of the 22 million annual deaths in developing countries[1]. The World Health Organization predicts there will be 16 million new cancer cases each year in 2020 with 70% occurring within the developing world[2] Given this significant burden to public health, there has been recent interest in expanding cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and palliation[3]. Methods: A questionnaire with twelve questions testing knowledge about esophageal cancer and eight questions aimed at determining barriers to healthcare was conducted out of Tenwek Hospital from June to July 2010. Conclusion: The questionnaire provided population-specific information on cancer knowledge and aided in targeting barriers to healthcare access. These factors will be incorporated into the cancer education outreach program of Tenwek Hospital
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