https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5073-6767
Figures
Abstract
Background
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world. Knowing the cancer risk factors could help the policy-makers to design appropriate preventive and control strategies.
Objective
To investigate the awareness regarding risk factors and determinants of cancers among Bahir Dar city residents, northwest, 2019
Methods
A community-based cross-sectional study was employed. A systematic random sampling technique was carried out to select 845 study participants from May 1 to June 30, 2019. A validated structured cancer awareness measuring tool was used to collect the data. The data were entered into the Epi-data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 21 software. A simple logistic regression was run, and AOR (adjusted odds ratio) at a 95% confidence interval was used to identify the determinants of awareness regarding risk factors of cancers.
Results
Nearly twenty percent of the respondents had a good awareness regarding risk factors of cancers. An orthodox Christian (AOR = 3. 2; 95%CI: 1.8, 5.6), college graduated (AOR = 2. 3; 95%CI:1.1, 4.9), a family member with cancer (AOR = 2. 0; 95%CI: 1.3, 3.3), and living in a rental house (AOR = 0. 6; 95%CI: 0.4, 0.9) were significantly associated with awareness regarding risk factors of cancers.
Citation: Bantie GM, Aynie AA, Gelaw YM, Kasa AS, Alemayehu MA, Tamirat KS, et al. (2021) Awareness regarding risk factors and determinants of cancers among Bahir Dar city residents, Northwest Ethiopia. PLoS ONE 16(4): e0248520. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248520
Editor: Muralidhar M. Kulkarni, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, INDIA
Received: September 3, 2020; Accepted: February 27, 2021; Published: April 23, 2021
Copyright: © 2021 Bantie et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Data Availability: All relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files.
Funding: The authors received no specific funding for this work.
Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
Background
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are currently responsible for the majority of global deaths [1]. Cancer is among the NCDs that creates a significant healthcare problem and a leading cause of death worldwide [2]. It is a large group of diseases that can affect any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, go beyond their usual boundaries to invade adjoining parts of the body, and/or spread to other organs [3].
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally and is estimated to account for 18.1 million new cases and 9.6 million deaths in 2018 [4]. The morbidity and mortality due to cancer are rapidly increasing throughout the world. The reasons are multifaceted but reflect both aging and growth of the population, as well as changes in the prevalence and distribution of the main risk factors for cancer [5]. Globally, cancer continues to exert tremendous physical, emotional, and financial strain on individuals, families, and health systems [6]. The burden is worsened in lower-income countries as the health systems are least prepared to manage this burden, and large numbers of cancer patients do not access timely diagnosis and treatment [7].
The majority of cancer-related deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries, most likely because of delayed clinical presentation of the disease [8]. Cancer in sub-Saharan Africa [9] is on the rise caused by rapid population growth, higher life expectancy, and the adoption of unhealthy lifestyles. In this region, cancer is becoming a critical challenge for health services due to the rising numbers of patients [3].
In Africa, cancer is an emerging public health issue with an estimate of 715,000 new cases and 542,000 deaths per year [9]. A 70% increment is expected in annual new cancer cases between 2012–2030. This is quicker than in any other region of the world [10].
Though the etiology of most cancers is not known, it has several risk factors. The risk factors vary based on geographic features and lifestyle-related habits of the residents. However, various studies revealed that tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, genetics, obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, STDs, HIV, sun exposure, and exposure to carcinogens were the identified risk factors of cancer [11–18].
Increasing awareness of cancer risk factors can help the community-members to enhance cancer-screening behavior and to exercise appropriate cancer preventive-practice [11]. Determining the awareness level of the residents regarding cancer risk factors is a critical element to try to help policymakers carry out evidence-based interventions and institute community-based screening programs [19, 20].
Though several studies were carried out in different parts of the country, no research has been conducted in this study area. Therefore, we aimed to determine the level of awareness regarding risk factors and the determinants of cancers among Bahir Dar city residents.
Methods
Study design, setting, and period
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among Bahir Dar city residents from May 1 to June 30, 2019. Bahir Dar city is the capital of the Amhara Regional state, which is 565 Km from Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. The city administratively divides into six sub-cities. The total population of the city is estimated to be 249,851. Of these, 125,425 were males [21]. In the city, there are five hospitals (two Public and three Private), eight public health centers, and six private clinics.
Population
All adults residing in the sub-cities of Bahir Dar city were the source population; and adults living in the four selected sub-cities of Bahir Dar city were included for the study.
Sample size determination and sampling procedure
The sample size calculated using a single population proportion formula with the assumption of a 95% confidence interval, a 5% margin of error, and a 50% awareness regarding risk factors of cancers. Finally, a design effect of 2 and a non-response rate of 10% was considered, yielding a total sample of 845.
A multistage sampling technique was used to recruit the study participants. At the first stage, four out of six sub-cities (Hidar 11, Fasilo, Belay zeleke, and Tana) were selected by a simple random sampling method. Then, from each sub-city, we took the list of adults (whose age is ≥ 18 years of age) from the city administration office. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select households from each sub-city. Each adult of 18 years of age or older were interviewed from each selected household. When more than one eligible adult is found in each selected household, the lottery method was employed. However, mentally ill and severely sick adults were excluded from the study.
Data collection process
The pre-tested, interviewer-administered, structured Amharic questionnaire was used to collect the data (S1 File). This tool is a standardized and validated data collection tool for awareness regarding risk factors of cancers. The questionnaire had two components: socio-demographic aspects and questions for assessing awareness regarding risk factors of cancers. All the enumerators collected the data after having written consent from participants. To assure the quality of the data, and to make sure that all team members were able to administer the questionnaires uniformly, three-day of rigorous training was given to six nurses with bachelor’s degree (data collectors) and to one supervisor with master’s degree.
Data collectors and the supervisor carried out role-plays and then had field pre-test activities in five percent of the total sample size before the actual data collection. At the end of every data collection day, the supervisor examined each questionnaire and gave pertinent feedback to the data collectors. The internal consistency (Cronbach alpha) level of the pretest of awareness regarding risk factors of cancers was 0.79.
Operational definition
Those adults who scored more than the mean value for the questions on the awareness regarding risk factors of cancers were considered as having a good awareness regarding risk factors of cancers. Otherwise, they were labelled as having poor awareness regarding risk factors of cancers.
Data processing and analysis
The PI checked the collected data for completeness and consistency daily. The data were then entered into Epi Data version 3.1 software and exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were computed, and a simple Logistic regression model was used to identify the association between explanatory and outcome variables. Adjusted Odds ratio with 95% CI was used to measure the strength of association between explanatory variables and the awareness regarding risk factors of cancers. The model fitness checked using Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness of fit (P > 0.05). A p-value ≤ 0.2 at bivariate analysis was considered for variables to include in multivariable logistic regression analysis. Variables with a p-value of < 0.05 at multivariate analysis were considered as statistically significant predictors of awareness regarding risk factors of cancers.
Ethics approval and consent to participate
Ethical approval was obtained from GAMBY Medical and Business College, Research, and health institute. The support letter was obtained from the Bahir Dar city administration. The objective of the study was clarified to the study participants, and they were also notified that they have the right to opt-out of the study at any point in the interview. Then, the written consent was secured from the respondents. The written consent and the data collection tools were documented and kept confidential in a secure place.
Results
Socio-demographic characteristics of the study participants
A total of 845 participants furnished data for the final analysis, with a response rate of 100%. The mean age of the participants was 29.8 (±10.4) years; About one-third (32.9%) of the respondents had completed secondary education. About 53.8% of the respondents were married, and 29.5% of the respondents lived in a rental house. Nearly 13.5% of the respondents had a family member living with cancer. Twenty percent of the respondents go to blessed places for holy water when they get sick (Table 1).
The level of awareness regarding risk factors of cancers
The study revealed that one-hundred-seventy-one (20.2%) of the study participants had good awareness regarding risk factors of cancers (Table 2).
The simple logistic regression analysis on awareness regarding risk factors of cancers
In the univariate logistic regression analysis, religion, level of education, house arrangement, and a family member with cancer were the factors associated with awareness regarding risk factors of cancers at a 20% level of significance. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, religion, level of education, house arrangement, and a family member with cancer were predictors of awareness regarding risk factors of cancers at a p-value of less than < 0.05. Similarly, for those participants who are Orthodox Christianity followers, the odds of awareness regarding risk factors of cancers were 3.2 (AOR = 3. 2; 95%CI: 1.8, 5.6) times higher compared to other religious followers. For those respondents who are college graduated, the odds of awareness regarding risk factors of cancers were 2.3 (AOR = 2. 3; 95%CI:1.1, 4.9) times more compared with unable to read and write. For the participants, who were living in the rental house, the odds of awareness regarding risk factors of cancers were 0.6 (AOR = 0. 6, 95% CI: 0.4, 0.9) times lower than compared with those who had their own house. Moreover, for those participants whose family members had cancer, the odds of awareness regarding risk factors of cancers were two (AOR = 2. 0, 95% CI: 1.3, 3.3) times higher compared with those who had no family members with cancer (Table 3).
Discussion
In Ethiopia, the early detection and control programs of cancer rely on a community’s awareness regarding risk factors of cancers [22]. A community’s awareness regarding risk factors of cancers helps individuals to avoid unhealthy lifestyles [22]. These unhealthy lifestyles are modifiable and are related to what we eat, how we exercise, and which drugs, medications, and supplements we take [23]. The present study determined the level of good awareness regarding risk factors of cancers among Bahir Dar city residents, which was 20.2%. This finding was very low as compared to the study findings of Northern Tanzania, 90% [22], and 36.8%, Oman, Western Asia [24]. The possible explanation for this discrepancy might be the difference in study settings, social norms, lifestyles, health care set up, and health information dissemination. The current study also identified the factors affecting good awareness regarding risk factors of cancers in Bahir Dar city. Being Orthodox Christian, college graduated, had a family member with cancer, and living in the rental house were the predictors of awareness regarding risk factors of cancers.
For orthodox Christianity, the odds of awareness of cancer were 3.2 times higher compared with the non-Orthodox Christianity religion followers. This could be the Orthodox Christian followers mostly spent their time by fasting (without eating food) and could protect them from eating/drinking carcinogenic diets.
Likewise, for those college graduated respondents, the odds of good awareness regarding risk factors of cancers were 2.3 (AOR = 2. 3; 95%CI:1.1, 4.9) times more compared with unable to read and write. Thus, people with higher educational levels were more likely to have better awareness regarding risk factors of cancers that can influence the risks of getting cancer. This is due to the educated adults have the possibility of utilizing different social media, including internet access. Using different media might allow them to have wider health information dissemination, which enhances their awareness regarding risk factors of cancers.
Family members with cancer were the other determinant factor that affects the awareness regarding risk factors of cancers of adults. For those participants whose family members had cancer, the odds of good awareness regarding risk factors of cancers were two (AOR = 2. 0, 95% CI: 1.3, 3.3) times higher compared with those who had not. This finding was supported by the study findings of Iran [25] and Saudi Arabia [26]. The possible justification for this could be, once the family member got cancer, its members would be afraid of the complication of the cancer ill family member. And they have the tendency of getting information on the risk factors of cancer, which would allow them to have better awareness regarding risk factors of cancers.
Moreover, our study also identified those adults who are living in a rental house were 0.6 (AOR = 0. 6, 95% CI: 0.4, 0.9) times less likely to associate with a good awareness regarding risk factors of cancers compared with those who had their own house.
The current study is also supported by study findings of Denmark [27], Japan [28], and Veterans [29]. This might be people with low socio-economic status is generally less likely to aware of regarding risk factors of cancers. In other words, higher socio-economic and demographic status is strongly associated with greater awareness regarding risk factors of cancers. Higher socio-economic and demographic status is strongly associated with greater awareness regarding risk factors of cancers [30–33].
Strength of the study
- As this is a community-based work with an adequate sample its finding is highly inferable for the city.
- Participants who had poor knowledge were advised to visit the nearby health institution for further cancer-related information and communication.
- The study involved both males and females, and it could show the overall cancer awareness level of respondents.
Conclusions
The level of awareness regarding risk factors of cancers in Bahir Dar city residents is low as per the national standard. The study revealed that only 20.2% of respondents had good awareness regarding risk factors of cancers. Religion, level of education, house arrangement, and a family member who had cancer were predictors of awareness regarding risk factors of cancers. It is advisable to give due attention to creating awareness regarding risk factors of cancers to the community members by religious leaders, mass media, and the health care workers to enhance the communities understanding of cancer; and the residents to raise their hand in the prevention and control strategies of current government efforts.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank the study participants, data collectors, the supervisor, and Bahir Dar city administration for contributions.
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