Vol. 7, Issue 3, Part A (2024)

Background: Skin cancer, a major public health concern globally, poses significant morbidity and mortality risks if not detected and treated early. Among the various types of skin cancer, melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the most prevalent. The aim of study is to evaluate the knowledge of screening and early detection of skin cancer among medical staff working at primary health care center.

Methods: It is a cross-sectional study of medical staff at primary health care centers in Baghdad, it studies on bases of gender, age groups, occupation, marital state, family history of skin cancer, and sources of information. Knowledge was assessed by scoring responses: Positive answers scored 3, negative 1, and "I don’t know" 2; scores were categorized as poor (<4%), fair (5%-7%), and good (>7%). The study found significant associations between knowledge levels and both marital status and occupation, with the internet being a crucial information source for those with good knowledge.

Results: In this cross-sectional study of 200 candidates, 88.9% had poor knowledge of skin cancer, with significant associations found between marital status, occupation, and knowledge levels. Notably, 74.1% of married participants had poor knowledge, while 56.5% of paramedical staff and 52.2% of single participants demonstrated good knowledge. The internet emerged as a significant information source for those with good knowledge.

Conclusion: This study found considerable skin cancer knowledge gaps among primary health care personnel, with connections between marital status, employment, and information sources. Healthcare practitioners are crucial to early detection, however 88.9% had limited understanding, highlighting the need for focused education. Digital platforms and continual medical education might boost awareness and early detection. Future study should examine the efficacy of such therapies to help doctors fight skin cancer.