Health Awareness Exhibition Emphasizing Cancer Causes Improves Knowledge of the General Public: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Abstract Aim In India, science exhibitions are conducted to create awareness in the community and offer education about health using instructive materials and explanations by trained community workers. This study aimed to understand the usefulness of cancer exhibition in creating cancer awareness in the participants. Materials and Methods This was a prospective pretest and posttest study and was performed with the general public who participated in a health awareness exhibition at Mangalore Institute of Oncology, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. The knowledge gained by the volunteers was ascertained by calculating the difference between the pretest and posttest using McNemar, chi-square, or Fisher Exact test. A probability value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The results revealed that a total of 378 participated in the study. Pretest scores indicated most volunteers were aware of tobacco and alcohol in cancer, whereas the majority were unaware of the role of fruits and vegetables and sedentary life in enhancing the possibility of cancer development. The posttest showed a significant increase in knowledge gain (P = 0.003–<0.001). Conclusions This study concludes that for the first time, this study shows that the exhibition can be useful in improving knowledge of cancer awareness among community members. When compared with other educational modes, the exhibition is a relatively inexpensive and easy way to educate the general public in the community.