Volume 27, Issue 133, March 2023

Awareness about Colorectal Cancer (CRC) among the primary health care attendees in Qassim province

Thamer Saleh Tofail Al Hassan^1♦, Chandra Sekhar Kalevaru²

¹Family Medicine R3 Resident, Family Medicine Academy, Qassim Health Cluster, Qassim Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
²Professor of Community Medicine, Trainer at Family Medicine Academy, Qassim Health Cluster, Qassim Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

^♦Corresponding author
Family Medicine R3 Resident, Family Medicine Academy, Qassim Health Cluster, Qassim Province, KSA

ABSTRACT

Background: As per the ministry of health statistics, among the non communicable diseases, cancers prevalence is increasing globally as well as in Saudi Arabia specially Colorectal Cancer (CRC). In our regular primary health care (PHC) practice, we also observed some patients with spectrum of various clinical presentation of gastro intestinal symptoms among adults. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted among the PHC attendees during the period from June 2021 to December 2022 among 379 sample. Data entered and analysed by using SPSS. Statistical tests like simple proportions, for categorical analysis chi square test, risk factors association with CRC, logistic regression analysis was applied. Results: In the current study, nearly fifty percent (50.9%) of the participants were having good CRC knowledge about common symptoms. Close to two thirds of the study population (69.5%) presented their perceptions as dietary factors, fast foods and oily foods for the causes of CRC. Also, 2/3rds (68.6%) were having knowledge about screening test for CRC. Regression analysis applied and shown significant association observed between risk factors of fast-food consumption, daily red meat consumption and physical inactivity with CRC knowledge respectively (P - 0.026, 0.012 and 0.004). Conclusions: Based on the results, relatively less CRC knowledge among the primary health care attendees. Nearly one third (35.6%) of people to undergo FOBE test for CRC. There is a need to increase awareness about risk factors and screening of CRC and reinforcement of existing awareness program. Need further studies to substantiate the present study findings in our population.

Keywords: Awareness CRC, common symptoms, risk factors, screening, Primary health care centres, Qassim Province

Medical Science, 2023, 27, e122ms2922

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi/v27i133/e122ms2922

Published: 03 March 2023