Dataset Information

Knowledge level of cancer symptoms and risk factors in the Gaza Strip: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT: BackgroundIn low-income settings, cancer is often diagnosed in advanced stages due to late presentation. Good public awareness of cancer signs and symptoms has a positive impact on the time patients take before they present to healthcare professionals. Therefore, this study examined public knowledge of cancer signs and symptoms as well as risk factors in Gaza.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study. Participants were recruited from adult visitors (?18?years) to governmental hospitals covering all five governorates of Gaza, and adolescent students (15 to 17?years) from 10 high schools in corresponding locations. An Arabic version of the Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM) was completed in a face-to-face interview. It described demographic data and knowledge of: cancer prevalence, age-related risk, signs and symptoms as well as risk factors both in recall and recognition questions.ResultsOf 3033 participants invited, 2886 completed the CAM (response rate?=?95.2%). Adult mean age?±?standard deviation was 33.7?±?11.7?years and that of adolescents was 16.3?±?0.8?years. Half of the participants (n?=?1457, 50.5%) were adolescent (781 females; 53.6%) and 1429 (49.5%) were adult (702 females; 49.1%). About two thirds (n?=?1885) thought about cancer as unrelated to age. Only 196 participants (6.8%) identified colorectal cancer as the most common cancer among men. Awareness of cancer signs/symptoms was poor to fair, where ‘lump’ was most commonly recognized (n?=?2227, 77.2%) and ‘change of bowel habit’ the least (n?=?670, 23.2%). Only 217 participants (7.5%) had a good level of recognizing risk factors with ‘smoking’ being the most identified and ‘eating less than five portions of fruits and vegetables a day’ the least. There was a higher likelihood for adults to identify most cancer signs/symptoms and risk factors than adolescents, except for recalling ‘unexplained pain’, ‘persistent cough/hoarseness’, ‘non-healing ulcer’, ‘smoking’, and ‘eating less than five portions of fruits and vegetables a day’.ConclusionPublic awareness of cancer signs/symptoms and risk factors needs to improve to facilitate early presentation and diagnosis in Gaza. Combining the delivery of public campaigns with tailored education to population groups, including the youth, may increase their knowledge and maintain its impact.

SUBMITTER: Elshami M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7106782 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundSeveral factors might contribute to the delay to get cancer care including poor cancer awareness and having barriers to seeking help. This study described these barriers in Gaza and their association with recalling and recognizing cancer symptoms and risk factors.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Gaza. Adult visitors (≥18 years) to the largest three governmental hospitals and adolescent students (15-17 years) from ten high schools were recruited. A translated-into-Arabic version of the validated Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM) was used to collect data in face-to-face interviews. It described demographic data, barriers to seek cancer care as well as recall and recognition of cancer symptoms and risk factors. Responses were compared between adults and adolescents as well as males and females.ResultsOf 3033 participants approached, 2886 completed the CAM (response rate= 95.2%). Among them, 1429 (49.5%) were adult (702 females; 49.1%) and 1457 (50.5%) were adolescent (781 females; 53.6%). The mean age± standard deviation (SD) of adult and adolescent participants was 33.7±11.7 years and 16.3±0.8 years, respectively. Emotional barriers were the most common barriers with 'feeling scared' as the most reported barrier (n=1512, 52.4%). Females and adolescents were more likely to report 'feeling scared' as a barrier than males and adults, respectively. Higher recall scores for cancer symptoms were associated with lower likelihood to report 'embarrassment', 'worry about wasting doctor's time' and 'difficulty arranging transport'. This was also seen for recalling risk factors, where 'embarrassment' and all practical barriers showed significant inverse associations with higher scores. In addition, greater recognition scores of cancer risk factors were inversely associated with reporting 'embarrassment' and 'feeling scared'.ConclusionsThe most commonly perceived barriers to seeking cancer care were 'feeling scared' and 'feeling worried about what the doctor might find', followed by practical and service barriers. Females and adolescents were more likely to report 'fear' as a barrier to seek medical advice. Having a higher recall of cancer symptoms and risk factors was inversely associated with reporting most barriers. To improve patient outcome, early presentation can be facilitated by targeting barriers specific to population groups.

Project description:BackgroundPoor control of cancer pain is a major public health problem worldwide. Many potential barriers can lead to suboptimal treatment of cancer pain. One such barrier is inadequate measurement and assessment of cancer-related pain control. This study aimed to assess current pain control and management for hospitalized adult patients with cancer in the Gaza Strip.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from Dec 10, 2017, to April 25, 2018, in the Gaza Strip. The validated Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) questionnaire was translated into Arabic for data collection. The first section of the questionnaire described the patients' sociodemographic characteristics, the second evaluated the severity of cancer, and the third assessed the interference of pain with daily activities. A ten-point Likert scale was used to evaluate the magnitude of cancer pain and its impact on the patients' lifestyle. Participants were 12 years of age and older, and were patients with cancer who had been admitted to Al-Rantisi Hospital or European Gaza Hospital (the two cancer institutes available in the Gaza Strip), and who had no mental illness or disorder affecting pain perception. Convenience sampling was used to recruit eligible patients for face-to-face interviews to complete the questionnaire. The primary outcome was the median score of cancer pain control. Ethical approval was obtained from the Palestinian Ministry of Health and informed verbal consent was obtained from patients. Data were analysed with SPSS version 22.Findings97 patients were assessed, of whom 75% (73 of 97) were eligible and were recruited. The sample size was decided based on the available cases in the included centres during study period. The median age was 49 years (IQR 37-60), 56% (41 of 73) were females, and 86% (63 of 73) were married. Most (81%; 59 of 73) had an educational level of high school or below, and 52% (38 of 73) were unemployed. 90% of patients (66 of 73) had cancer pain as a presenting symptom at diagnosis. 93% (68 of 73) had received painkillers (analgesics) within the past week, 74% (54 of 73) were using analgesics daily, and 43% (31 of 73) reported that they needed potent analgesics. 15% (11 of 73) reported concerns about analgesic addiction. The level of functional impairment owing to pain, as reported using the ten-point Likert scale, was highest for daily activities and routines (median 9·0, IQR 7·0-10·0) and least for social relationships (5·0, 0·0-9·0). There was no statistically significantly association between cancer-related pain and gender, educational level, or occupation.InterpretationMost patients were taking analgesics but a large proportion reported the need for more potent or frequent doses of painkillers. In addition, pain had a significant effect on the patients' lifestyle. These findings indicate poor control of cancer pain. There is an urgent need to address the reasons for this, to alleviate pain and to improve quality of life.FundingNone.

Project description:BackgroundThe Gaza Strip, like other settings of complex humanitarian emergencies, faces immense challenges in vaccinating its population against COVID-19. This study was conducted in October 2021 among Gaza's adult population and healthcare workers (HCWs). The primary aim was to estimate two indicators, coverage of COVID-19 vaccination and the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy. The secondary aim was to evaluate the two indicators' associations with globally identified risk factors.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using a population-based survey of adults and a purposive survey of HCWs in Gaza. A multi-stage sampling design was used for the population survey component. For the HCW component, five health facilities were purposively selected as entry points; HCWs in the facilities holding clinical or other specialized positions were approached to participate in the survey. Data were summarized as univariable descriptive statistics with unweighted and weighted point estimates. Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations of risk factors with vaccination status and vaccine hesitancy.ResultsA total of 1075 individuals were surveyed, of whom 906 were community members and 169 were HCWs. Population-weighted vaccine coverage was estimated to be 49.08% (95% CI 43.10-55.08). 89.35% of HCWs were vaccinated. Population-weighted vaccine hesitancy was estimated to be 34.08% (95% CI 28.14-40.56) in the overall population and 67.24% (95% CI 49.04-81.41) among the unvaccinated sub-group. In logistic regression vaccination was independently associated with male sex (aOR 1.88, p = 0.006, 95% CI 1.20-2.95), older age (40+ vs. 18-39 age group) (aOR 1.92, p < 0.001, 95% CI 1.73-2.13), higher education (aOR 2.19, p < 0.001, 95% CI 1.51-3.17), and confidence in the safety of the vaccine (aOR 13.8, p < 0.001, 95% CI 10.1-18.8). Risk factors for hesitancy were similar to those identified for vaccination status, however hesitant individuals were somewhat more likely to obtain vaccine information from family members (aOR 1.29, p = 0.051, 95% CI 1.00-1.67) and less likely to trust healthcare providers (aOR 0.58, p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.49-0.68).ConclusionsThe continued emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants reinforces the importance of achieving high levels of vaccination coverage globally-a difficult undertaking in Gaza. This study estimated half of Gaza's adult population received at least one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine by October 2021, and the majority of unvaccinated individuals were hesitant. Disparities in vaccination across the territory's demographic groups underscore the need for targeted outreach to these populations and messaging through community-based channels to permeate social networks of the unvaccinated.

Project description:BACKGROUND:The prevalence of overweight and obesity among women of childbearing age is considered a public health concern. Few studies have been conducted in the Gaza Strip to determine the magnitude of overweight and obesity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity along with their associated factors among women in the Gaza Strip. METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted to recruit a total of 357 mothers aged 18-50?years. Interviews were carried out among mothers to collect sociodemographic information, nutritional information, and physical activity. Anthropometric measurements [height, weight and waist circumference (WC)] were conducted with the mothers. Body Mass Index (BMI) was computed to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the associated factors of overweight and obesity. RESULTS:The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity among mothers was (64.1%). The results of multinomial logistic regression showed the risk of overweight and obesity increased with age, the highest risk being in mothers aged >?33.0?years (OR?=?2.7, 95% CI: (1.06,6.86)), and (OR?=?5.72, 95% CI: (2.07,15.78)), respectively, compared to mothers aged <?33.0?years. Moreover, mothers with medium and high educational levels had a slightly higher risk of obesity (OR?=?0.31, 95% CI: (0.15,0.64)), and (OR?=?0.32, 95% CI: (0.12,0.82)) respectively than mothers with low educational level. Household income was positively associated with overweight and obesity. Mothers exposed to higher monthly income were more likely to be overweight or obese (OR?=?2.64, 95% CI: (1.20, 5.83)), and (OR?=?3.06, 95% CI: (1.28,7.29)), respectively. Nutrition knowledge was significantly associated with a high prevalence of obesity (OR?=?1.20, 95% CI: (1.03,1.38)). CONCLUSIONS:This study showed a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity among Palestinian women than previous studies. Age, educational level, monthly income, and nutrition knowledge were associated with the prevalence of overweight and obesity, compared to other variables that were not associated with overweight and obesity such as location, work status, physical activity, and sitting hours. Urgent action is needed to tackle overweight and obesity among women. Effective intervention is required to increase nutrition knowledge among women to improve their eating behaviors.

Project description:BackgroundHigh awareness of cervical cancer (CC) risk factors is important to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with CC. This study aimed to assess the knowledge level of Palestinian women about CC risk factors and to determine the factors associated with good knowledge.MethodsThis was a national cross-sectional study. Adult women from hospitals, primary healthcare centers, and public spaces of 11 governorates in Palestine were recruited using a stratified convenience sampling. A translated-into-Arabic version of the validated CC awareness measure (CeCAM) was used to assess the knowledge about the 11 CC risk factors. For each correctly identified risk factor, the participant was given one point. The total score was calculated and was categorized into three categories: poor knowledge (0-3), fair knowledge (4-7), and good knowledge (8-11).ResultsA total of 7223 participants completed the Arabic CeCAM (response rate = 89.3%) and 7058 questionnaires were included in the final analysis: 2655 from the Gaza Strip and 4403 from the West Bank and Jerusalem. Participants recruited from the Gaza Strip were younger, getting lower monthly incomes, and with less chronic diseases than participants recruited from the West Bank and Jerusalem. The most frequently identified risk factor was 'having a weakened immune system' (n = 5458, 77.3%) followed by 'infection with a sexually transmitted infection' (n = 5388, 76.3%). The least identified risk factor was 'having many children' (n = 1597, 22.6%). Only 1670 women (23.7%) had good knowledge of CC risk factors. Women living in the Gaza Strip were more likely than women living in the West Bank and Jerusalem to have good knowledge (25.2% vs 22.7%). Completing a secondary or diploma degree, being employed, and having a monthly income of ≥ 1450 NIS (around $450) were all associated with lower likelihood of having good knowledge of CC risk factors. Conversely, knowing someone with cancer was associated with higher likelihood of having good knowledge.ConclusionThe overall awareness of CC risk factors was low. There is a substantial need to establish educational programs to promote Palestinian women's awareness of CC.

Dataset Information

Knowledge level of cancer symptoms and risk factors in the Gaza Strip: a cross-sectional study.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets