Faecal occult blood test: current practice in a rural Queensland community.
The findings of a recent telephone survey of 604 residents (50-74 years of age) in a rural community in Queensland are presented. The survey focused on the participants' knowledge concerning the faecal occult blood test (FOBT) and their previous testing history. Responses were analysed in terms of gender, age and education differences. More than half of all participants were aware of the FOBT, and 109 (18%) had undergone FOBT in the past. Fewer understood the importance of "health checks without symptoms" than the "advantage of early treatment". The most common reasons to use FOBT were: "prevention" and "I want to know if I have cancer". A person's gender, age and education were shown to be associated with their knowledge and beliefs. These results suggest an increase in the use of the FOBT with time (in relation to previous surveys), but a poor understanding of its place in promoting health.
Janda
Monika
M
Centre for Public Health Research, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia.
Hughes
Karen
K
Tong
Shilu
S
Stanton
Warren R
WR
Aitken
Joanne
J
Clavarino
Alexandra
A
Short
Leonie
L
Del Mar
Christopher
C
Leggett
Barbara
B
Newman
Beth
B
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009780:Occult Blood; D011793:Queensland; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D012737:Sex Factors