Author ORCID Identifier
0002-8321-5191
Abstract
Background
In recent years, nutrition has received an increasingly important role in the aetiology of cancer. Thus, public education about dietary factors associated with cancer risk or prevention could be an important intervention for cancer prevention, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where the burden of cancer is increasing rapidly and access to care is limited. This study aimed to assess the awareness among rural adults about the role of nutrition in cancer development and its prevention.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 individuals in the adult population (> 18 years) in rural field practice area of a Medical College in South Karnataka for 3 months (June-August 2023) using a convenient sampling technique. Nutritional knowledge on cancer prevention was assessed using a semi-structured questionnaire which included sociodemographic details and multiple-choice questions. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS V.26. Those who scored > mean correct answer were considered as having good knowledge.
Results
Out of 300 study participants, 98% were aware of the disease of cancer, and 93% believed that nutrition played a role in cancer causation. 216 (72%) participants had good knowledge about role of nutrition in cancer causation and prevention whereas 84 (28%) had poor knowledge. A statistically significant association was observed between the participant’s age, religion and occupation with the knowledge level.
Conclusion
Majority of the participants had good knowledge about nutrition’s role in cancer causation and prevention.
Publication Date
2023
Publisher
JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research
Conflict of Interest
NIL
Keywords
Cancer prevention, Nutritional awareness, knowledge, dietary factors
Word Count
2059
Recommended Citation
Basheer S, Upadhya KG, M SK.
Awareness of the Role of Nutrition in Cancer Causation and Prevention among Rural Adult Population: A Cross-sectional Study.
Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine.
2023;
6(2):
-.
doi:
https://doi.org/10.55691/2582-3868.1168
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.