Awareness of Oral Cancer in a Northwestern Nigerian State: Assessing the Knowledge, Opinion, and Practice of Traditional Healers and Herbalists

Abstract

Background: Traditional healers/herbalists remain one of the most accessible and popular options of care to people suffering from cancers particularly at the community level in Nigeria. The majority of patients with oral cancer present at the terminal stage after exploring unorthodox care. This study assesses the awareness of oral cancer among traditional caregivers in Kano State, Northwestern (NW) Nigeria.Methods: Self-administered, structured questionnaires were administered to a cross section of 21 traditional caregivers.Results: Of the 21 traditional caregivers studied, the majority (66.7%) had never heard of oral cancer and only 7 (33.3%) were aware. The level of knowledge on oral cancer was assessed using a scoring system classifying respondents as having adequate (>50%) or inadequate (<50%) knowledge. There was a significant educational status gap as respondents with informal education had lesser knowledge than that of their counterparts who had formal education (61.9% versus 19.0%) (P= 0.012).Conclusions: It is important to have allied healthcare providers informed about oral cancer, as their knowledge and awareness of oral cancer and its risk factors, which were low in our study, are vital in prevention and early detection.Impact: This study provides an insight into oral cancer prevention using traditional herbalists who are popular caregivers for those seeking health-related solutions.

An investigation on How Community Pharmacies and Herbalist’s Shops manage patients with probable Oral Cancer

“…In a similar study by Varela-Centelles et al, only 2.6% of herbalists suggested the correct referral system and 86.4% recommended OTC remedies instead. (2) Also the results of the study by Adebola et al showed that only 33.3% of herbalists were informed of oral cancer in Nigeria, (1) while higher levels of awareness were reported in the United State (56%). Nearly 10% of the pharmacies surveyed in this study recommended OTC drugs only and 11% prescribed medications in combination with referral to a medical or dental practitioner for consultation.…”

“…(1,2) The risk of oral cancer is higher in those aged more than 65 years, black males and chronic alcohol and tobacco users. (1) World Health Organization (WHO) has reported oral cancer as the sixth most common cancer in males after lung, prostrate, colorectal, stomach, and bladder cancer while in females it is the tenth most common cancer after breast, colorectal, lung, stomach, uterus, cervix, ovary, bladder, and liver cancer. (3) The worldwide rate of oral cancer is lower than breast, prostate, and colon cancers.…”

“…(3) The worldwide rate of oral cancer is lower than breast, prostate, and colon cancers. (1,4) Fortunately, early diagnosis may increase the rate of survival by more than 80%. (1,2) Nevertheless, many patients are diagnosed at a late stage of the disease when the survival rate is poor (50-60% 5 years post-treatment).…”

“…(1,4) Fortunately, early diagnosis may increase the rate of survival by more than 80%. (1,2) Nevertheless, many patients are diagnosed at a late stage of the disease when the survival rate is poor (50-60% 5 years post-treatment). Two important factors that cause late stage diagnosis are patients delay and professional delay.…”

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy: a rare presentation of an extremely rare neoplasm and diagnostic implications in Gombe, Nigeria

“…The 2 cases reported by Ajagbe presented at 6 months and the case reported by Williams presented at 8 months. It is an indicator of poor attitudes towards healthcare in Nigeria and most developing countries [ 13 ]. By her admission, the mother was only motivated to seek care when feeding was affected and cosmetic compromise was marked.…”