scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Cancer Education and Prevention: A Cross-Sectional Survey

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 196s-196s
Author(s):  
S. Ghose ◽  
S.S. Datta

Background: Lifestyle associated cancers are 1 of the top 5 leading causes of death in the world and India sees a million new cases yearly. Early detection is an effective way to reduce incidences and mortality for preventable cancers. There is significant delay in detection for a large proportion of cancer patients in India. Lack of awareness about cancer has been shown to be a major contributor to treatment delay in many countries. The current study looked at the cancer awareness in an urban Indian population to address the gap of information about cancer prevention. Aim: To quantify knowledge about cancer in an urban population and find sociodemographic associations of lack of knowledge. We also wanted to compare knowledge of people from general population with those having some knowledge due to a family member being under treatment. Methods: Data were collected from 2 stratums: family members of cancer patients, Internet using community from general population, non-Internet using community dwellers. Subject selection was randomized. A prevalidated questionnaire was used. Data were analyzed using STATA 13. Results: Respondents (n = 846) were family of cancer patients (n = 146, 17.3%), community dwellers (n = 175, 20.7%) and community Internet users (n = 525, 62.1%). No association of knowledge with age, gender, and income was found ( P values 0.84, 0.25, 0.93 respectively). Statistically significant association of cancer knowledge with education was found ( P < 0.001). There is significant difference in knowledge between Internet using and non-Internet using community ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: Education impacts cancer knowledge of the population. The population having access to Internet has a higher knowledge than nonusers; but exposure to cancer treatment does not result in higher knowledge on cancer. These results will inform prevention and health education policies and aid in designing awareness and screening programs for preventing cancer.

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-83
Author(s):  
Nadia Tariq ◽  
Tamkeen Jaffry ◽  
Rahma Fiaz ◽  
Abdul Majid Rajput ◽  
Sadaf Khalid

Background: Indoor air pollutants are increasingly being associated with respiratory illnesses leading to high degree of morbidity and mortality. There are not sufficient epidemiological studies from Pakistan which assess level of awareness of indoor air pollution resulting in respiratory diseases in population. Methods: This cross sectional survey was carried out on general population of Rawalpindi/Islamabad. Sample size was 223 study subjects selected by non-probability convenient sampling. Knowledge of the study subjects was determined with regard to indoor air pollution, its effects on health and different sources of indoor air pollution with the help of a questionnaire. The influence of age, gender, educational status and socio economic status on the level of awareness was also analyzed. Results: Out of total 223 participants, 115 were males and108 females. Participants aware of indoor air pollution were 91.5% and adequate awareness about its sources was 80.7%. Those who knew indoor air pollution is detrimental to health were 95.1%. Awareness about building construction dust as source of indoor air pollution was maximum (84.8%). There was significant difference in awareness among participants with different monthly incomes and educational status and also between males and females. Conclusion: This study concludes that general population of Rawalpindi/Islamabad has fairly good awareness about sources of indoor air pollution. Use of harmful material causing indoor air pollution should be limited or substituted with better ones where possible.


10.2196/14021 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. e14021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lance Garrett Shaver ◽  
Ahmed Khawer ◽  
Yanqing Yi ◽  
Kris Aubrey-Bassler ◽  
Holly Etchegary ◽  
...  

Background Facebook has shown promise as an economical means of recruiting participants for health research. However, few studies have evaluated this recruitment method in Canada, fewer still targeting older adults, and, to our knowledge, none specifically in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). Objective This study aimed to assess Facebook advertising as an economical means of recruiting a representative sample of adults aged 35 to 74 years in NL for a cross-sectional health survey. Methods Facebook advertising was used to recruit for a Web-based survey on cancer awareness and prevention during April and May 2018; during recruitment, additional advertisements were targeted to increase representation of demographics that we identified as being underrepresented in our sample. Sociodemographic and health characteristics of the study sample were compared with distributions of the underlying population to determine representativeness. Cramer V indicates the magnitude of the difference between the sample and population distributions, interpreted as small (Cramer V=0.10), medium (0.30), and large (0.50). Sample characteristics were considered representative if there was no statistically significant difference in distributions (chi-square P>.01) or if the difference was small (V≤0.10), and practically representative if 0.10<V≤0.20. The cost per recruit of Facebook advertising was compared with a quote for a random digit dialing (RDD)–recruited postal survey to determine if this method was economical. Results Facebook advertising is feasible and economical to conduct survey research, reaching 34,012 people, of which 2067 clicked on the ad, for a final sample size of 1048 people at Can $2.18 per recruit versus the quoted Can $23,316.05 for 400 recruits (Can $35.52 per recruit) via RDD. The sample was representative of rural and urban geography (P=.02; V=0.073), practically representative of age (P=.003; V=0.145) and income (P<.001; V=0.188), and over-representative of women (P<.001; V=0.507) and higher levels of education (P<.001; V=0.488). The sample was representative of the proportion of people with a regular health care provider (P=.94; V=0.025), diabetes prevalence (P=.002; V=0.096), and having had a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy (P=.27; V=0.034), and it was practically representative of smoking status (P<.001; V=0.14), and body mass index (P<.001; V=0.135). The sample was not representative of arthritis prevalence (P<.001; V=0.573), perceived health (P<.001; V=0.384), or time since last seasonal flu shot (P<.001; V=0.449). Conclusions Facebook advertising offers an easy, rapid, and economical means to recruit a partially representative (representative or practically representative of 8 of the 13 characteristics studied) sample of middle-aged and older adults for health survey research. As Facebook uses a nonrandom targeting algorithm, caution is warranted in its applications for certain types of research.


Author(s):  
Francisco José Barbosa-Camacho ◽  
Benjamín García-Reyna ◽  
Guillermo Alonso Cervantes-Cardona ◽  
Enrique Cervantes-Pérez ◽  
Efraín Chavarria-Avila ◽  
...  

Abstract The world is social distancing and compulsory confinement has caused stress, psychological instability, stigmatization, fear, and discrimination in the general population. In this cross-sectional survey study, we administered the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) to hospital medical and nonmedical personnel. A total of 1,216 participants were included in the study. We found that the global FCV-19S mean score was 16.4 ± 6.1, with a significant difference between women and men’s scores. Medical students presented higher scores than experienced medical personnel. As the medical and nursing personnel scored higher on the FCV-19S than the nonmedical hospital staff, our findings suggest that greater knowledge of medicine or infectious diseases could decrease the overall psychological impact of the pandemic disease.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin PENG ◽  
Renwang Chen ◽  
Zhenli Rao ◽  
Yi Yang ◽  
Yunli Yan ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundTo evaluate recurrence of lymphedema and its influencing factors in discharged breast cancer patients with treated lymphedema during the COVID-19 pandemic and to propose feasible improvements. MethodsA multicenter, cross-sectional, hospital-based survey of discharged breast cancer patients was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic in eight first-class hospitals in Wuhan city, China. Norman Questionnaire was used for assessing lymphedema, and multivariable binary logistic regression was performed to risk factors of moderate or severe lymphedema. Difference in living characteristics, anxiety and depression between no or mild group and moderate or severe group were compared. Preference in management of lymphedema were collected. Results 202 valid patients were included. 191 participants reported recurred lymphedema (prevalence: 94.6%, 95%CI 90.5% to 97.3%). 134 of them was mild and 57 were moderate/severe. In the 191 patients, the main symptom was swelling (140, 69.3%) and pain (56, 27.7%). Multivariable regression showed that age (odds ratio, 1.06, 95%CI: 1.02-1.10), radical surgery (OR=4.35, 95%CI: 1.54-12.50) and fully complete radiotherapy (OR=2.62, 95%CI: 1.17-5.87, P=0.019) was associated with the risk of moderate or severe lymphedema. No significant difference in lifestyles was observed but moderate or severe group experienced higher rate of anxiety and depression. patients preferred treatment in hospital and self-care at home equally.Conclusion The high recurrence rate of lymphedema in breast cancer patients with during COVID-19 should draw our great attention, continuous efforts should be made to identify patient at risk of lymphedema and distribute feasible guidance and education for self-management for these patients.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lance Garrett Shaver ◽  
Ahmed Khawer ◽  
Yanqing Yi ◽  
Kris Aubrey-Bassler ◽  
Holly Etchegary ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Facebook has shown promise as an economical means of recruiting participants for health research. However, few studies have evaluated this recruitment method in Canada, fewer still targeting older adults, and, to our knowledge, none specifically in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess Facebook advertising as an economical means of recruiting a representative sample of adults aged 35 to 74 years in NL for a cross-sectional health survey. METHODS Facebook advertising was used to recruit for a Web-based survey on cancer awareness and prevention during April and May 2018; during recruitment, additional advertisements were targeted to increase representation of demographics that we identified as being underrepresented in our sample. Sociodemographic and health characteristics of the study sample were compared with distributions of the underlying population to determine representativeness. Cramer V indicates the magnitude of the difference between the sample and population distributions, interpreted as small (Cramer V=0.10), medium (0.30), and large (0.50). Sample characteristics were considered representative if there was no statistically significant difference in distributions (chi-square P>.01) or if the difference was small (V≤0.10), and practically representative if 0.10<V≤0.20. The cost per recruit of Facebook advertising was compared with a quote for a random digit dialing (RDD)–recruited postal survey to determine if this method was economical. RESULTS Facebook advertising is feasible and economical to conduct survey research, reaching 34,012 people, of which 2067 clicked on the ad, for a final sample size of 1048 people at Can $2.18 per recruit versus the quoted Can $23,316.05 for 400 recruits (Can $35.52 per recruit) via RDD. The sample was representative of rural and urban geography (P=.02; V=0.073), practically representative of age (P=.003; V=0.145) and income (P<.001; V=0.188), and over-representative of women (P<.001; V=0.507) and higher levels of education (P<.001; V=0.488). The sample was representative of the proportion of people with a regular health care provider (P=.94; V=0.025), diabetes prevalence (P=.002; V=0.096), and having had a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy (P=.27; V=0.034), and it was practically representative of smoking status (P<.001; V=0.14), and body mass index (P<.001; V=0.135). The sample was not representative of arthritis prevalence (P<.001; V=0.573), perceived health (P<.001; V=0.384), or time since last seasonal flu shot (P<.001; V=0.449). CONCLUSIONS Facebook advertising offers an easy, rapid, and economical means to recruit a partially representative (representative or practically representative of 8 of the 13 characteristics studied) sample of middle-aged and older adults for health survey research. As Facebook uses a nonrandom targeting algorithm, caution is warranted in its applications for certain types of research.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mangyeong Lee ◽  
Juhee Cho ◽  
Sun-Young Kong ◽  
JunghHee Yoon ◽  
Danbee Kang ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Precision medicine (PM) is a growing area of interest in cancer care. Although the terms ‘precision medicine’ and ‘personalized medicine’ are used interchangeably, the former may be new both to cancer patients and the general population. Most previous studies evaluated peoples’ attitudes towards genetic testing as a part of personalized medicine and included a single stakeholder, either patients or the general population. Few studies have evaluated cancer patients’ knowledge and perception regarding PM. OBJECTIVE To evaluate cancer patients’ awareness, knowledge, as well as perceived benefits and barriers regarding PM, and their willingness to participate in a national registry for PM, in comparison to those of the general population. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey on 1,500 consecutive cancer patients enrolled at two university-based cancer hospitals in Seoul, Korea; 1,500 people who were representative of the Korean population were enrolled as controls. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify the factors associated with a willingness to participate in a national registry for PM. RESULTS : In the total population, 20.0% of the cancer patients had heard of PM and 35.1% were able to accurately define it. Cancer patients were three times likelier to express a willingness to participate in a national registry for PM than the general population (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.47-3.61). Participants who had heard of PM (cancer patients: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.40, 95% CI, 1.00-1.95; general population: aOR = 2.04, 95% CI, 1.62-2.56) and who had a more positive perception of the PM-related benefits (cancer patients: aOR = 2.48, 95% CI, 1.88-3.27; general population: aOR = 1.34, 95% CI, 1.05-1.71) were likelier to be willing to participate in a national registry for PM. CONCLUSIONS While PM is gaining importance in clinical settings, a majority of cancer patients are not well-informed about it. Nevertheless, the patients in our study perceived PM as being associated with various benefits and showed a willingness to participate in a national registry for PM. Considerable efforts need to be taken to educate the public and advocate participation in studies on PM


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco José Barbosa-Camacho ◽  
Benjamín García-Reyna ◽  
Guillermo Alonso Cervantes-Cardona ◽  
Enrique Cervantes-Pérez ◽  
Efraín Chavarria-Avila ◽  
...  

Abstract The world is social distancing and compulsory confinement has caused stress, psychological instability, stigmatization, fear, and discrimination in the general population. In this cross-sectional survey study, we administered the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) to hospital medical and nonmedical personnel. A total of 1,216 participants were surveyed from May 25 to May 29 of 2020. We asked all the staff for their participation in the study and physical copies of the survey were distributed to the staff willing to participate. All surveys were answered anonymously. We found that the global FCV-19S mean score was 16.4 ± 6.1, with a significant difference between women and men’s scores. Medical students presented higher scores than experienced medical personnel. Additionally, the medical and nursing personnel presented a higher level of fear than hospital staff who did not work directly with COVID-19 patients. Our findings suggest that greater knowledge of medicine or infectious diseases could decrease the overall psychological impact of the pandemic disease.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamrat Shaweno ◽  
Ibrahim Abdulhamid ◽  
Lemlem Bezabih ◽  
Daniel Teshome ◽  
Behailu Derese ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Determining the extent of seropositivity of SARS-CoV-2 antibody has the potential to guide prevention and control efforts. We aimed to determine the sero prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody among adults in the general population of Diredawa, Ethiopia. Method: Community based cross-sectional survey was conducted among random sample of 648 adult population in Diredawa from June 15 to July 30, 2020 using interview and blood sample collection. Participants were asked about demographic characteristics, COVID-19 symptoms and adherence to preventive measures. Sero-prevalence was determined using SARS-CoV-2 IgG test.Result: The estimated SARS-CoV-2 prevalence was 3.2% (95 % CI: 2.0 - 4.8) in the study region with no differences by age and sex but considerable differences were observed by adherence to COVID-19 preventive recommendations. For instance, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among participants who reported not to have practiced social distancing measures was 8.5 times the prevalence in their counterparts who reported of practicing social distancing. The corresponding estimates were 12.8 (95%CI, 7.0, 19) and 1.5 (95% CI, 0.5, 2.5) with statistically significant difference(p<0.01). Similarly, we observed 4.5 times higher prevalence among people who reported of not wearing face masks and who mentioned of not avoiding social gatherings. More than 80 percent of study participants reported of adherence to infection prevention measures (face masks and physical distancing recommendations). Conclusion: The SARS-CoV-2 sero-prevalence detected among adults in Diredawa was low and indicates much higher proportion of population not yet infected. COVID-19 preventive measures are associated with reduced prevalence and should be promoted to avoid transmission to the uninfected majority.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khanh Ngoc Cong Duong ◽  
Tien Nguyen Le Bao ◽  
Phuong Thi Lan Nguyen ◽  
Thanh Vo Van ◽  
Toi Phung Lam ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND The first nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic was implemented in Vietnam from April 1 to 15, 2020. Nevertheless, there has been limited information on the impact of COVID-19 on the psychological health of the public. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychological issues and identify the factors associated with the psychological impact of COVID-19 during the first nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. METHODS We employed a cross-sectional study design with convenience sampling. A self-administered, online survey was used to collect data and assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants from April 10 to 15, 2020. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were utilized to assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants during social distancing due to COVID-19. Associations across factors were explored using regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 1385 respondents completed the survey. Of this, 35.9% (n=497) experienced psychological distress, as well as depression (n=325, 23.5%), anxiety (n=195, 14.1%), and stress (n=309, 22.3%). Respondents who evaluated their physical health as average had a higher IES-R score (beta coefficient [B]=9.16, 95% CI 6.43 to 11.89), as well as higher depression (B=5.85, 95% CI 4.49 to 7.21), anxiety (B=3.64, 95% CI 2.64 to 4.63), and stress (B=5.19, 95% CI 3.83 to 6.56) scores for DASS-21 than those who rated their health as good or very good. Those who self-reported their health as bad or very bad experienced more severe depression (B=9.57, 95% CI 4.54 to 14.59), anxiety (B=7.24, 95% CI 3.55 to 10.9), and stress (B=10.60, 95% CI 5.56 to 15.65). Unemployment was more likely to be associated with depression (B=3.34, 95% CI 1.68 to 5.01) and stress (B=2.34, 95% CI 0.84 to 3.85). Regarding worries about COVID-19, more than half (n=755, 54.5%) expressed concern for their children aged &lt;18 years, which increased their IES-R score (B=7.81, 95% CI 4.98 to 10.64) and DASS-21 stress score (B=1.75, 95% CI 0.27 to 3.24). The majority of respondents (n=1335, 96.4%) were confident about their doctor’s expertise in terms of COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment, which was positively associated with less distress caused by the outbreak (B=–7.84, 95% CI –14.58 to –1.11). CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the effect of COVID-19 on mental health during the nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. The study provides useful evidence for policy decision makers to develop and implement interventions to mitigate these impacts. CLINICALTRIAL


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