Assessment of the Influence of Public Health Campaigns on Childhood Cancer Awareness and Mortality Reduction in Abuja

Abstract

This study evaluates the influence of public health campaigns on childhood cancer awareness and mortality reduction in Abuja, Nigeria, using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. Quantitative data from 358 valid survey responses were integrated with qualitative insights from fifteen key informant interviews with pediatric oncology specialists. Findings reveal a high general awareness of childhood cancer (86.5%) among the predominantly tertiary-educated, urban population in the Federal Capital Territory. However, significant gaps persist in recognizing specific early warning signs, such as leukocoria (8.3%), and nearly 20% of respondents could not identify any symptoms. While 64.7% of participants perceived campaigns as effective in promoting early detection, over half (51.8%) reported no direct exposure to such initiatives. Major barriers to timely health-seeking include severe financial constraints (77.6%), fear of stigmatization (51.9%), and cultural beliefs (43.0%). Clinicians emphasized that while campaigns improve general knowledge, catastrophic out-of-pocket costs remain the primary driver of mortality through treatment abandonment. The study concludes that awareness alone is insufficient; reducing childhood cancer mortality in Abuja requires integrated strategies that combine targeted education with financial protection and strengthened referral systems.