TITLE:
Assessing the Level of Pediatric Cancer Knowledge among Medical Doctors Working in Primary and Secondary Care Centers in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
AUTHORS:
Atteby Jean-Jacques Yao, Ekou Affoué Charlotte Amandine Niamien-Attai, Ahou Lorraine Roxanne Sodji, Adja Evelyne Akaffou
KEYWORDS:
Knowledge, Childhood Cancer, Abidjan
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.15 No.6,
November
20,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Cancer has become a significant public health concern and a leading cause of child mortality worldwide in low, middle, and high-income countries. Globally, more than 400,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year, leading to 120,000 deaths. On the Ivory Coast, very few studies are available on pediatrics cancer knowledge among primary and secondary care doctors. Objective: We aimed to assess childhood cancer knowledge among medical doctors in regional centers in Abidjan. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among doctors in primary and secondary care health centers in Abobo from 03/01/2023 to 03/31/2023. Results: The average age of doctors was 38 years ± 10, made up of 76% men and 24% women. Most of these doctors were general practitioners, i.e., 83% of our total sample. Among these doctors, 74% had less than 10 years of practice. The factors that influenced the level of knowledge of these doctors were age and professional experience. The evaluation score allowed us to establish three levels of knowledge: 7% had a good level of knowledge, 72% had an average level, and 21% had an insufficient level of knowledge. In summary, 93% of doctors demonstrated less than a “good” level of knowledge. Conclusion: This study shows that physicians working in Abobo’s primary and secondary care centers lack proper basic pediatrics cancer knowledge. This situation could impact early diagnosis and mortality rates; hence, there is an urgent need to implement a more extensive initial training program and continuing education for first-contact medical doctors in early detection of pediatric cancer.