Knowledge, attitude and practice survey of colorectal cancer among adult population in Tamil Nadu, India (A cross-sectional survey)

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer is a major health issue worldwide (CRC). India is a lowermiddle income country and the estimated age standardized incidence rate of CRC among men (7.2 per 100,000) was higher than women (5.1 per 100,000) in the year 2012. In 2012, the data suggests the CRC incidence rate in India will be doubled by 2035. Aim: This study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding CRC and its screening among the adult population (18 years of age and above) living in the state of Tamil Nadu. Methods: A cross sectional survey with telephone interviews was conducted. The participants were randomly contacted through random digit dialing. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the American University of Armenia approved the study. Results: The mean age of the participants was 31.56 (SD = 9.8). The percent mean scores of risk factors and signs and symptoms based on the prompted question was 42.80 (SD = 19.49) and 62.65 (SD=27.48). The percent mean score on signs and symptoms in the prompted were significant with education level of the participants after adjusting for variables (p=0.966 for 0-8 years of education, p=0.001 for more than 12 years of compared to the reference of 9-12 years of education). The majority of the respondents (78.2%) strongly agreed that “CRC can be cured if detected early ”. There was no association between willingness to do screening with the level of SES (high SES, OR=0.48, p=0.097). Conclusion: We found that knowledge of CRC and the practice is low among the study participants. Educational campaigns are needed among all the age groups to increase the awareness about risk factors, signs and symptoms and screening of CRC.