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

Abstract

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