Knowledge, attitude, and practice of healthcare professionals towards the prevention of Marjolin’s ulcer in an African suburban tertiary care institution: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

• Marjolin’s Ulcer is potentially a preventable malignancy through adequate care of precursor lesions • Optimal Knowledge, attitude, and practices of healthcare professionals play a crucial role in reducing the burden of the disease • This study reveals inadequate knowledge, diverse attitudes, and suboptimal practices of some of our healthcare professionals towards Marjolin’s ulcer prevention • Areas of deficient knowledge, negative attitude, and potentially cancer-promotive practices were observed • The need for focused and tailored education of our healthcare professionals regarding Marjolin’s ulcer prevention was highlighted . This study aims to establish the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of healthcare professionals towards Marjolin’s ulcers prevention. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare professionals of a Nigerian Teaching Hospital. A validated self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data with specific sections on knowledge, attitude, and practices of healthcare workers on Marjolin’s ulcer prevention. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics. Association between KAP and demographic characteristics was tested using the Chi-square test. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with KAP, and statistical significance was considered at P < 0.05. Data from 254 participants were analyzed. Mean age of the respondents was 34.6±10.1 years. Majority of the respondents were female 157 (61.8%), with 97 (38.2%) males, and a male to female ratio of 1:1.6. Most respondents were Nurses, 85 (33.5%). Mean score of the knowledge scale was 3.52, with mean scores of the latency period, childhood Marjolin’s ulcer, traumatic ulcer as precursor lesions 2.63, 2.02, and 2.49 respectively. 21.9% (49) will decline skin grafting. Bivariate analysis showed that gender and knowledge were significantly associated with practice (χ² = 4.900, p = 0.027; χ² = 11.148, p = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that males had higher odds of good practice compared to females (AOR = 2.034; 95% CI: 1.065–3.887; p = 0.032). Improved practices towards Marjolin’s ulcer prevention require focused educational programmes, enhanced donor-site aesthetic appearance, and adoption of skin substitutes to assist healing of chronic wounds.