Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions to Radiotherapy By Persons With No Previous Exposure In Aba, South Eastern Nigeria

Radiotherapy is a major management modality for most cancers. It is a loco-regional protocol and so most useful in the organ confined and locally advanced stages. Although a very useful of modality of treatment, it has several adverse effects creating negative public attitude and perceptions which make acceptance to Radiotherapy (RT) poor. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and perceptions of men and women with no previous exposure to RT. The study was cross-sectional in design involving the use of structured questionaires written in English Language and given to men and women with no previous exposure. The questionnaires were distributed to major health institutions in the metropolis. Out of the 160 questionnaires given out only 130 were completed and duly returned. The age range of participants was 22 -82 years with mean age of ----. Of the 130 participants, the age group 51- 60 years had the highest number of 40 (30.8%). The age group 81-90 had the least number 5 (3.8%). Of the 130 participants, 100 were males 76.9% while 30 were females 23.1%. 55 (42.3%) of the participants had post secondary education. 30 (23.1%) had secondary education. 30 (23.1%) had no formal education while 15 (11.5%) had primary education. 85 participants (65.4%) had heard and known about radiotherapy (RT) while 45 (34.6%) had no knowledge of RT. The most common source of knowledge was health care providers 55 (64.7%) followed by patients relatives 12 (14.1%). 70 (82.4%) had prior knowledge or the adverse effects of RT while 15 (17.6%) were ignorant. 70 participants (82.4%) felt that RT was very dangerous while 10 (11.8%) felt it was not too dangerous and only 5 (5.9%) felt it was not dangerous. Many reasons accounted for this poor attitude and perception. 60 (75.5%) felt that the adverse effects were toxic. 10 (12.5%) felt it leads to secondary cancer while 5 (6.25%) felt that it was a necessary evil that could be avoided if there was an alternative. 3 (3.8%) felt it is prone to impotence while 2 (2.5%) felt it was an index of bad prognosis. In other words, the mere prescription of RT meant that death was imminent. 73 participants 85.9% were unwilling to recommend RT while 12 were willing. While knowledge of RT were fairly good in Aba, attitude and perception were grossly poor.