The roles of chaplains in dispelling cancer myths in Nigeria: A narrative review

Afeez A Salami; Kehinde K Kanmodi; Jimoh Amzat

doi:10.1002/hsr2.1502

The roles of chaplains in dispelling cancer myths in Nigeria: A narrative review

Health Sci Rep. 2023 Aug 21;6(8):e1502. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.1502. eCollection 2023 Aug.

Authors

Afeez A Salami^{1

2

3}, Kehinde K Kanmodi^{2

3

4

5}, Jimoh Amzat^{6

7}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery University College Hospital Ibadan Nigeria.
² Faculty of Dentistry University of Puthisastra Phnom Penh Cambodia.
³ Cephas Health Research Initiative Inc Ibadan Nigeria.
⁴ School of Dentistry University of Rwanda Kigali Rwanda.
⁵ School of Health and Life Sciences Teesside University Middlesbrough UK.
⁶ Department of Sociology Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto Nigeria.
⁷ Department of Sociology University of Johannesburg Johannesburg South Africa.

Abstract

Background and aims: The epidemiological burden of cancer in Africa, and Nigeria in particular, has been increasing significantly over the past few decades due to exposure to numerous risk factors as well as belief in various myths and misconceptions. Chaplains can play crucial roles in dispelling these myths and misconceptions about cancer among people. Therefore, this study seeks to review the epidemiological burden, risk factors, and myths relating to cancer and the roles of chaplains in dispelling cancer myths in Nigeria.

Methods: This paper is a narrative review that relied on secondary sources obtained through a thorough literature search of relevant articles on multiple electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. Published books, journal articles, and other published materials that were written in English were consulted in line with the objectives of this study. Both theoretical and empirical papers were used for this review.

Results: Cancers are associated with risk factors including exposure to chemicals, ultraviolet radiation, harmful tobacco and alcohol use, exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV), and these factors may vary with age, cultural beliefs (myths and misconceptions), and socioeconomic factors among others. Chaplains, however, have crucial roles to play in dispelling cancer myths in Nigeria. These roles include counseling, advocacy, education, and psycho-social support which may be limited by challenges such as spiritual ambiguity, inadequate training of healthcare providers and limited time/resources. These challenges can be addressed by training healthcare providers and incorporating chaplain practice in Nigerian healthcare.

Conclusion: The role of chaplains in dispelling cancer myths in Nigeria is crucial despite the numerous challenges. Hence, an urgent address of these challenges will be instrumental in ensuring effective chaplain practice in Nigeria.

Keywords: Nigeria; cancer; chaplains; control; misconception; myths; narrative review; prevention; public health; religious leaders.