.jpg)
Original
Article
The Effect of Training Health Care
Providers in Early Detection of Breast Cancer at Family Health Centers in
Khartoum State, Sudan
Mohamed H.
AbuAhmed1*, Samia Y. I. Habbani2 Alfatih M. Malik3
1
Pathology Department, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
2
Free-lance Consultant, Khartoum, Sudan
3
Community Medicine Department, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
*Corresponding Author: Mohamed Hyder Abu Ahmed, Pathology Department, University of
Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan. Email: dr.hydder2008@yahoo.com
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer and a leading cause of
cancer-related death among women in Sudan. This study assesses the effect of
training doctors and allied health professionals, working in family health care
(FHC) centers, on the early detection of breast cancer.
Method: This interventional study targeted health cadres working in FHC centers
in two randomly selected localities in Khartoum State. The first selected was assigned as the study
area (Omdurman), whereas the second (Bahri) was designated as the control area.
All cadres in the FHCs in both localities during the study period were
included. In the intervention area, a one-day training session was conducted
and a booklet was provided to each attendee. A pre and post-intervention
structured questionnaire was used to collect data from cadres in both areas.
T-test and McNemar's exact test were used to assess the change in knowledge and
practice including the number of women who were detected with breast disease.
Results: Seventeen FHC centers were included from each locality. The study
locality had 98 healthcare providers while the control had 127. Most of the
health care providers (92%) were females. There was a significant improvement
in post-training knowledge scores in the intervention group: from 14.7 to 16.5
(P = .004) in doctors, and from 6.9 to 7.8 (p=.021) in allied healthcare
professionals. Clinical breast examination (CBE) skills also improved
significantly (p value= 0.001 for both). No significant changes were observed
in the control group. There was a significant increase in breast cancer
detection in the intervention group (p value= 0.05).
Conclusion: Training of health care providers
significantly improved their knowledge and skills regarding CBE and increased
detection of breast cancer patients.
In-service training for care providers is essential to augment their
professional performance and enhance breast cancer control efforts.
Keywords:
Breast Cancer, Early
Detection, Training, Health Care Providers, Sudan
To download a full PDF copy click here ⏬