A Rural-Urban Comparison of Knowledge, Risk- Factors and Preventive Practices for Colorectal Cancer among Adults in Lagos State

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

Department of Community Health and Primary Care,College of Medicine,University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Objective: To assess and compare the knowledge, risk-factors and preventive practices for colorectal cancer among
adults in Lagos State. Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional comparative study conducted among 607
respondents selected from one rural (Ikorodu) and one urban (Surulere) LGA using a multistage sampling technique.
Data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire administered by trained research assistants between April and
September 2017.Data was analyzed using Epi-info statistical software version 3.5.1. Univariate and bivariate analysis
was carried out and -p values of ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Respondents’ knowledge
of colorectal cancer was generally low, (rural-78.2%, urban- 62.2%, p<0.001). Urban respondents were significantly
more knowledgeable than their rural counterparts (rural- 21.8%, urban- 37.8%, p<0.001). The presence of CRC riskfactors
were higher among urban respondents (urban-49.3%, rural-42.6%, p= 0.09), however this difference was
not statistically significant. Preventive practices were generally poor in both groups, although more (18.1%) urban
respondents significantly took preventive actions against CRC compared with rural (6.9%) respondents, (p<0.001).
Increasing levels of education were significantly associated with higher knowledge level in both groups (p≤0.05).
Conclusion: The level of knowledge of colorectal cancer was generally poor in both groups but significantly poorer
among rural respondents. The presence of known risk- factor was higher among urban respondents while preventive
practices were poor in both groups.

Keywords

Main Subjects