Author:
Elshami Mohamedraed,Yaseen Areej,Alser Mohammed,Al-Slaibi Ibrahim,Jabr Hadeel,Ubaiat Sara,Tuffaha Aya,Khader Salma,Khraishi Reem,Jaber Inas,Arafeh Zeina Abu,Al-Madhoun Sondos,Alqattaa Aya,El Hadi Asmaa Abd,Barhoush Ola,Hijazy Maysun,Eleyan Tamara,Alser Amany,Hziema Amal Abu,Shatat Amany,Almakhtoob Falasteen,Mohamad Balqees,Farhat Walaa,Abuamra Yasmeen,Mousa Hanaa,Adawi Reem,Musallam Alaa,Abu-El-Noor Nasser,Bottcher Bettina
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Ovarian cancer (OC) is often diagnosed at advanced stages. This study aimed to assess the Palestinian women’s knowledge about OC symptoms and determine the factors associated with having good knowledge.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2019 to March 2020 in the two main areas of Palestine: the West Bank and Jerusalem as well as the Gaza Strip. A translated-into-Arabic version of the validated OC awareness measure (OCAM) was utilized for data collection. Stratified convenience sampling was used to recruit adult women attending hospitals, primary healthcare centers, and public spaces at 11 governorates. The knowledge level was categorized into three categories based on the number of symptoms recognized: poor (0 to 4), fair (5 to 8), and good (9 to 11).
Results
Of 6095 approached, 5618 participants completed the Arabic OCAM (response rate = 92.1%).A total of 5411 questionnaires were included in the analysis: 2278 from the Gaza Strip and 3133 from the West Bank and Jerusalem. Participants living in the West Bank and Jerusalem were older, of higher monthly income, and with more chronic diseases than those living in the Gaza Strip.
The most frequently identified symptoms were ‘extreme generalized fatigue’ (n = 3821, 70.6%), ‘unexplained weight loss’ (n = 3607, 66.7%), and ‘increased abdominal size on most days’ (n = 3252, 60.1%). On the other hand, the least recognized symptoms were ‘feeling full persistently’ (n = 1553, 28.7%) and ‘difficulty eating on most days’ (n = 1971, 36.4%).
Only 943 participants (17.4%) displayed good knowledge of OC symptoms. Participants from the Gaza Strip had a higher likelihood than participants from the West Bank and Jerusalem to have a good level of knowledge (21.0% vs. 14.8%). Being married, knowing someone with cancer, and visiting hospitals were all associated with a higher likelihood of having good knowledge level. However, living in the West Bank and Jerusalem was associated with a lower likelihood of having good knowledge.
Conclusion
The overall knowledge of OC symptoms in this study was low. Educational interventions are needed to improve Palestinian women’s knowledge about OC symptoms.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
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