Dataset Information

Awareness of colorectal cancer signs and symptoms: a national cross-sectional study from Palestine.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In low-resource settings, the awareness level of colorectal cancer (CRC) signs and symptoms plays a crucial role in early detection and treatment. This study examined the public awareness level of CRC signs and symptoms in Palestine and investigated the factors associated with good awareness.

Methods

This was a national cross-sectional study conducted at hospitals, primary healthcare centers, and public spaces in 11 governorates across Palestine between July 2019 and March 2020. A translated-into-Arabic version of the validated bowel cancer awareness measure (BoCAM) was utilized to assess the awareness level of CRC signs and symptoms. For each correctly identified CRC sign/symptom, one point was given. The total score (ranging from 0 to 12) was calculated and categorized into three categories based on the number of symptoms recognized: poor (0 to 4), fair (5 to 8), and good awareness (9 to 12).

Results

Of 5254 approached, 4877 participants completed the questionnaire (response rate = 92.3%). A total of 4623 questionnaires were included in the analysis; 1923 were from the Gaza Strip and 2700 from the West Bank and Jerusalem (WBJ). Participants from the Gaza Strip were younger, gained lower monthly income, and had less chronic diseases than participants in the WBJ. The most frequently identified CRC sign/symptom was 'lump in the abdomen' while the least was 'pain in the back passage'. Only 1849 participants (40.0%, 95% CI: 39.0%-41.0%) had a good awareness level of CRC signs/symptoms. Participants living in the WBJ were more likely to have good awareness than participants living in the Gaza Strip (42.2% vs. 37.0%; p = 0.002). Knowing someone with cancer (OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.21-1.55; p < 0.001) and visiting hospitals (OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.25-1.70; p < 0.001) were both associated with higher likelihood of having good awareness. However, male gender (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.68-0.94; p = 0.006) and following a vegetarian diet (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.48-0.73; p < 0.001) were both associated with lower likelihood of having good awareness.

Conclusion

Less than half of the study participants had a good awareness level of CRC signs and symptoms. Future education interventions are needed to improve public awareness of CRC in Palestine.

SUBMITTER: Elshami M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9063349 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Awareness of colorectal cancer signs and symptoms: a national cross-sectional study from Palestine.

Elshami Mohamedraed M Ayyad Mohammed M Alser Mohammed M Al-Slaibi Ibrahim I Ahmed Naji Shoruq S Mohamad Balqees Mustafa BM Sudki Isleem Wejdan W Shurrab Adela A Yaghi Bashar B Qabaja Yahya Ayyash YA Hmdan Fatima Khader FK Fuad Dwikat Mohammad M Raed Sweity Raneen R Jneed Remah Tayseer RT Assaf Khayria Ali KA Albandak Maram Elena ME Madhat Hmaid Mohammed M Awwad Iyas Imad II Khalil Alhabil Belal B Alarda Marah Naser MN Saleh Alsattari Amani A Aboyousef Moumen Sameer MS Aljbour Omar Abdallah OA AlSharif Rinad R Teddy Giacaman Christy C Alnaga Ali Younis AY Nemer Ranin Mufid Abu RMA Almadhoun Nada Mahmoud NM Mahmoud Skaik Sondos S Abu-El-Noor Nasser N Bottcher Bettina B

BMC public health 20220430 1

<h4>Background</h4>In low-resource settings, the awareness level of colorectal cancer (CRC) signs and symptoms plays a crucial role in early detection and treatment. This study examined the public awareness level of CRC signs and symptoms in Palestine and investigated the factors associated with good awareness.<h4>Methods</h4>This was a national cross-sectional study conducted at hospitals, primary healthcare centers, and public spaces in 11 governorates across Palestine between July 2019 and Ma ...[more]

PMID: 35501803

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Project description:IntroductionHaving a good awareness of ovarian cancer (OC) risk and protective factors could facilitate early diagnosis. This study aimed to assess Palestinian women's awareness about OC risk and protective factors and to identify the factors associated with having good awareness.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2019 to March 2020 in the two main areas of Palestine: the West Bank and Jerusalem (WBJ) and the Gaza Strip. A translated-into-Arabic version of the validated OC awareness measure was utilized. Adult women attending hospitals, primary healthcare centers, and public spaces at 11 governorates were invited to participate. The awareness level was categorized based on the number of factors recognized: poor (0 to 5), fair (6 to 10) and good (11 to 15).ResultsOf the 6095 women approached, 5618 agreed and completed the questionnaire (response rate = 92.1%). The final analysis included 5411 questionnaires. The most identified modifiable OC risk factor was 'being a smoker' (n = 4024, 74.4%), whereas the least identified was 'having in vitro fertilization treatment' (n = 1652, 30.5%). The most identified non-modifiable OC risk factor was 'having ovarian cysts' (n = 3136, 58.0%), whereas the least identified was 'having endometriosis' (n = 1880, 34.7%). The most identified OC protective factor was 'breastfeeding' (n = 4770, 88.2%), whereas the least identified was 'using the pill for a long time' (n = 930, 17.2%). Only 820 women (15.2%) displayed good awareness of OC risk and protective factors. Women from the Gaza Strip were slightly more likely than women from the WBJ to have good awareness (16.4% vs. 14.2%). In contrast, post-secondary education, higher monthly income, being married, and knowing someone with cancer were associated with an increase in the likelihood of displaying good awareness.ConclusionThe overall awareness of OC risk and protective factors in this study was low. Educational interventions are needed to improve Palestinian women's awareness.

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Dataset Information

Awareness of colorectal cancer signs and symptoms: a national cross-sectional study from Palestine.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Awareness of colorectal cancer signs and symptoms: a national cross-sectional study from Palestine.

Similar Datasets

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