Colorectal Cancer: Knowledge, Attitude and Challenges among Port Harcourt Residents: Research Article

Rex Friday Ogoronte Alderton Ijah

doi:10.58372/2835-6276.1243

Authors

Rex Friday Ogoronte Alderton Ijah

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58372/2835-6276.1243

Keywords:

Attitude, Colorectal Cancer, Knowledge, Challenges, Port Harcourt Residents, Nigeria

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer among men, and the second most common cancer among women. This study aimed at evaluating public knowledge and attitude to colorectal cancer, and the challenges encountered with screening services in Port Harcourt within the first half of the year 2022.

A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out among Port Harcourt City residents. Data was analysed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. There were 209 (47.0%) males and 236 (53.0%) female respondents, and the mean age was 31.74±10.8 years. Three hundred and sixty-three (81.6%) had not heard about CRC, and about two-third (above 60%) were unaware of the risk factors for CRC. Only about a third of respondents were aware of the symptoms of CRC, 360 (80.9%) had no knowledge of CRC screening, and 228 (51.2%) qualified respondents had not done screening. About 379 (85.2%) respondents were willing to undergo CRC screening if it was free. Four hundred and eleven (78.1%) had monthly income of less than 72 USD, and 398 (89.4%) had no health insurance coverage. CRC awareness was higher among female than male respondents, and this increases as age increases, and the relationship was statistically significant (gender: p=0.042; age: p=0.006).

Awareness of CRC, knowledge of risk factors, symptoms and screening for CRC were low. Half of respondents who were qualified had not done screening, and financial challenge was a significant constraint against compliance.

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