Knowledge, awareness, and perceptions of meningioma epidemiology among undergraduate medical students in Enugu, Nigeria: a cross-sectional mixed-methods study.

backgroundMeningiomas are among the most frequent primary brain tumours; yet undergraduate medical students’ understanding of their epidemiology remains underexplored in Nigeria. This research investigated knowledge, awareness, and perceptions of meningioma epidemiology and identified associated factors among medical students.

methodsA cross-sectional study with descriptive and mixed-method components was employed among the undergraduate medical students of the University of Nigeria undergoing clinical training at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, from January to April, 2026. A total of 427 students were selected using stratified random sampling; 332 responded to a structured self-administered questionnaire (response rate: 78.0%). Instrument assessed socio-demographics, awareness, objective knowledge (12-item knowledge score), attitudes (Likert scale), and open-ended comments. Knowledge scores were classified into good (≥ 70%), moderate (50–69%), or poor (< 50%). Data were analysed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Variables were summarised using descriptive analysis, and associations were tested using χ² tests, independent t-tests, and ANOVA.

resultsRespondents were predominantly clinical students, with a mean age of 21.8 ± 2.4 years, and 51.5% were male. Awareness of meningioma was high (78.9%), primarily from lectures (42.8%) and textbooks (31.3%). The mean knowledge score was 5.4 ± 2.3/12, indicating overall low knowledge, with notable gaps in age distribution (38.6%). Self-rated knowledge was low (2.7 ± 1.1) but moderately correlated with objective scores (r = 0.38, p < 0.001). Only 24.5% perceived curriculum coverage as adequate, although 88.2% recognized its importance. Neurosurgical exposure was associated with higher knowledge scores (6.2 ± 2.1 vs. 4.1 ± 2.0; p < 0.001). Open-ended responses reflected perceived gaps in clinical exposure, teaching quality, and curriculum integration.

conclusionAmong predominantly clinical-year undergraduate medical students at the University of Nigeria, Enugu, awareness of meningioma was high, but knowledge of its epidemiology remained suboptimal. Findings suggest that improved structured clinical exposure and integration of neurooncology into the undergraduate curriculum may enhance competence within this training context.