INTRODUCTION

Background Information: The percentage of cancer cases in the developing world is predicted to increase from 56% in 2008 to more than 70% in 2030, and in some low-income countries with few screening systems and little awareness, cancer rates are predicted to virtually double. Patients in these regions frequently present with advanced- stage malignancies that incurable and necessitate numerous treatment methods including radiotherapy and nuclear imaging (1). In 2013, 13 international organization formed the nuclear medicine global initiative to promote human health by advancing the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging by supporting the practice and application of nuclear medicine (2). Several efficient regular approaches for diagnosis and treatment have been made possible by the development of nuclear medicine (3). It has developed from relatively straightforward in vitro testing to extremely sophisticated techniques to image organ function (4). The practice of nuclear medicine involves virtually all systems in the body including skeletal, cardiac, oncology, gastrointestinal, urinary and endocrine system. But in developing countries bone scan, thyroid scan and renal scan are widely used diagnostic procedures. Establishments of scintigraphs techniques for detecting breaches in blood-brain barrier and liver tumors has been replaced by ultrasound computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (4). Several other techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET), Sentinel node imaging and targeted radiotherapy and molecular imaging techniques are used. In most developing countries, the development of nuclear medicine is still slow and nuclear medicine scientist are absent.

For the past two decades, the availability of nuclear medicine in Sub-Saharan Africa has significantly increased (5). Despite these, the growth of nuclear medicine in Africa continues to face many challenges. A recent study by Grigoryan etal cited ageing equipment, culturally ingrained fear of radiation, logistic difficulties with radioactive delivery, lack of health insurance and other systemic impediments that constrain health systems in developing countries to be among the known barriers (6).

Problem Statement: Over the past several decades, nuclear medicine has made considerable progress and now worldwide and largely contributing to both diagnostic assessment and management of both communicable and non-communicable disease. Despite these advancements, nuclear medicine practices in most developing countries have remained underperforming with total volume of scans and therapeutic procedures being significantly less than those of developed countries. Although infrequent and inconsistent supply of radiopharmaceutical are a among the main factors which limit availability and development if nuclear medicine clinical practice in many sub-Saharan Africa countries (7). Limited knowledge and awareness of this specialty amongst physicians has been named as contributing factor for suboptimal utilization of nuclear medicine services. Being part of developing country in sub Saharan Africa, Tanzania’s nuclear medicine practices faces similar challenges. This works aims at evaluating the current knowledge and awareness of nuclear medicine amongst specialist physicians at Bugando Medical Centre.

Rationale of the Study: Findings from this study will help to know the barriers that hinders the the growth and utilisation of nuclear medicine in our hospital setup and hence finding solutions these challenges with the aim of improving the situation.

Research Question: What is the knowledge, attitude and perceived barriers of nuclear medicines services amongst specialist physicians at Bugando Medical Centre?

Research Objectives

Broad Objectives

To assess knowledge, attitudes and barriers towards nuclear medicine services utilization amongst specialist physicians at BMC.

Specific Objectives

1. To assess nuclear medicine knowledge amongst specialist physicians at BMC
2. To assess attitudes towards nuclear medicine services by specialist physicians at BMC
3. To assess perceived barriers towards nuclear medicine services utilization amongst specialist physicians at BMC