Author:
Elshami Mohamedraed,Ayyad Mohammed Majed,Alser Mohammed,Al-Slaibi Ibrahim,Ahmed Naji Shoruq,Mohamad Balqees Mustafa,Sudki Isleem Wejdan,Shurrab Adela,Yaghi Bashar,Qabaja Yahya Ayyash,Hmdan Fatima Khader,Fuad Dwikat Mohammad,Raed Sweity Raneen,Jneed Remah Tayseer,Assaf Khayria Ali,Albandak Maram Elena,Madhat Hmaid Mohammed,Awwad Iyas Imad,Khalil Alhabil Belal,Alarda Marah Naser,Saleh Alsattari Amani,Aboyousef Moumen Sameer,Aljbour Omar Abdallah,AlSharif Rinad,Teddy Giacaman Christy,Alnaga Ali Younis,Nemer Ranin Mufid Abu,Almadhoun Nada Mahmoud,Mahmoud Skaik Sondos,Abu-El-Noor Nasser,Bottcher Bettina
Abstract
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.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
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