Assessment of knowledge among healthcare workers and resource availability for diagnosing Wilms tumour in northern Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Survival rates of Wilms tumour patients in northern Tanzania are low (32.6%), largely due to late-stage diagnoses compounded by a lack of knowledge about Wilms tumour among healthcare workers. This study aimed to assess healthcare workers’ knowledge and resource availability for diagnosing Wilms tumour.

Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional, quantitative design, encompassing healthcare facilities in northern Tanzania. The study population was doctors, nurses, and radiographers directly involved in paediatric care. The sample size was 121, chosen through purposive sampling to ensure data saturation. Structured questionnaires covered demographics, knowledge assessment, and resource availability. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25.

Results: Healthcare workers exhibited varying knowledge levels about Wilms tumour. Doctors had a good grasp of the tumour’s characteristics and treatment options, but had gaps in their understanding of prognosis. Nurses displayed reasonable knowledge, but needed improvement in understanding prognosis and some treatment options. Radiographers had limited knowledge, particularly regarding treatment options. Ultrasound, a critical diagnostic tool, was consistently available at all healthcare facilities.

Conclusion: Overall, the healthcare workers had good knowledge, and resources such as ultrasound were available, which is an initial tool for early Wilms tumour diagnosis. We recommend strengthening ultrasound use through targeted training and protocols to improve early diagnosis of Wilms tumour. Furthermore, Wilms tumour-focused modules should be incorporated into continuing medical education, with expanded access to advanced imaging, such as computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).