Promoting Public Health Campaign on Awareness and Screening for Multiple Myeloma in Nigeria

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is one of the commonest haematological malignancies with orthopaedic complications due to its skeletal related events (SREs) such as chronic bone pain, osteoporosis and pathological fracture.

Objective: The objective of this study is to promote the campaign on awareness and periodic screening for MM in the middle-aged to elderly (≥40 years) target group.

Methods: This is by systematic review and literature search of evidence-based research articles on MM, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and the theoretical behavioural frameworks to effect the desired change in the target population. This was by translating the three major terms of the research question to the controlled vocabulary of the database. The three terms or keywords used were Health Promotion, Health Campaign and MM. PubMed, Google scholar, Cochran Database Systematic Review, African Journal Online were used as the search database.

Results: The expected outcome will be the adoption of the campaign innovations in all perceived susceptible group as evidenced by early screening and treatment.

Conclusion: The successful execution of this campaign policy will increase awareness and case ascertainment of MM in the targeted population. The hallmark will be early diagnosis and improved life expectancy of people living with MM in the region.

Keywords: Health promotion, Health Campaign, MM, Nigeria.