Common cancers in India: knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of urban slum dwellers in New Delhi.
OBJECTIVE
What is the level of knowledge and awareness of common cancers? What are the prevalent attitudes and behaviours relating to common cancers?


OBJECTIVE
To assess knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding common cancers amongst urban slum dwellers in New Delhi.


METHODS
Field-based cross-sectional survey of an urban slum cluster.


METHODS
Slum clusters along Pankha Road, West New Delhi.


METHODS
Slum dwellers of selected slums.


METHODS
Independent variables were sociodemographic factors. Dependent variables were knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding preventive and curative aspects of common cancers.


METHODS
Proportions, confidence intervals, tests of significance and multiple logistic regression.


RESULTS
Only 13% (10.6-15.7%) of the study participants were aware of Pap smears, and only 2% (1.1-3.3%) were able to identify all the common signs of cancer. However, 87% (84.4-89.5%) of the study participants knew that tobacco is a risk factor for cancer. Overall, 51% (47.2-54.7%) had some knowledge pertaining to cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
A focused, concerted and effective information, education and communication drive is urgently needed for all aspects of common cancers in India.
Seth
T
T
Department of Medical Oncology, Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Room No 13, 2nd Floor, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India. tuliseth@yahoo.com
Kotwal
A
A
Thakur
R
R
Singh
P
P
Kochupillai
V
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011204:Poverty Areas; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health