Knowledge, attitudes, and practice of oncology health care providers in promoting healthy eating habits among oncology patients in Nigeria

Abubakar, A (2024). Knowledge, attitudes, and practice of oncology health care providers in promoting healthy eating habits among oncology patients in Nigeria. Yeditepe University, Institute of Health Science, Department of Public Health. MSc Thesis Diet plays a crucial role in cancer prevention, with research suggesting it can prevent 30-50% of all cancer cases. However, dietary guidelines may only sometimes apply due to different eating habits and food availability. Traditional African diets in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are rich in starches and local foods, unlike Western diets, which are high in processed animal products, refined sugars, and saturated fats. Despite the rising cancer incidence in SSA, few studies have explored the link between diet and cancer risks. A cross-sectional survey of 200 Nigerian healthcare providers in oncology departments examined their dietary knowledge, attitudes, and practices. The participants, averaging 32 years old, mostly held undergraduate degrees (69.2%), some held graduate degrees (30.2%), and over 84% were employed by government organizations. This study aimed to evaluate healthcare policies and provide quantitative insights into the dietary knowledge and practices within oncology departments, identifying challenges in implementing dietary recommendations and the effectiveness of educational resources. In Nigeria, cancer care faces numerous challenges, including uncoordinated data, lack of trained staff, poor health infrastructure, political apathy, and inadequate procurement systems. Despite these issues, cancer registries are improving. Early diagnosis, population screening, and managing symptomatic patients are vital for better outcomes, with nutritional interventions being critical for cancer prevention and treatment. Key Words: Cancer, Diet, Sub Saharan Africa, Healthcare providers, Diagnosis, Health care, Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Oncology, Nutritional interventions.