Colorectal cancer screening among the public: knowledge, attitudes, and the perceived barriers

ABSTRACT

Colorectal cancer (CRC)¹ screening tests help in early detection of CRC and improve disease prognosis. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude, and barriers to CRC screening and the associated factors among the general population in Jordan. A validated self-administered online survey was distributed on 1542 individuals in Jordan. The participants (n = 1542) reported several barriers and demonstrated insufficient knowledge but positive attitude towards CRC screening. Older age (OR = 1.021, 95% CI = 1.010–1.032, P < 0.001), working in medical field (OR = 3.198, 95% CI = 2.499–4.092, P < 0.001), family history of cancer (OR = 1.248, 95% CI = 1.002–1.555, P < 0.05), and knowing someone with CRC (OR = 1.601, 95% CI = 1.186–2.161, P < 0.01) were significantly associated with higher knowledge. Personal history of CRC (OR = 3.157, 95% CI = 1.188–8.387, P < 0.05), and high knowledge of CRC (OR = 2.795, 95% CI = 2.242–3.484, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with the positive attitude. Future healthcare programs should devise effective techniques to improve public understanding and perception of CRC screening and overcome the identified barriers.

KEYWORDS:

• Colorectal cancer
• screening
• knowledge
• attitude
• barriers

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

ASJ, QA, and YNA conceived and designed the study, wrote and reviewed the manuscript and supervised the project. WA, NA and TLM validated the study instrument, analyzed and interpreted the data. SRA and NA collected the data and wrote the original draft of the manuscript. All authors reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Data availability statement

All data generated and/or analyzed during the study will be available from the corresponding author on reasonable request

Notes

1. CRC: colorectal cancer.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) wish to thank the Deanship of Research at Jordan University of Science and Technology for funding this research project [Grant number 20220299]