Pakistani urban population demonstrates a poor knowledge about cancers: a pilot survey.
BACKGROUND
This cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the perceptions and level of knowledge of a Pakistani urban population regarding presentations, risk factors, and screening of cancers.


METHODS
From 4 tertiary care hospitals, 439 subjects were recruited through convenient sampling method and interviewed using a standard questionnaire.


RESULTS
More than 90% of subjects demonstrated poor knowledge. Good knowledge was associated with female gender, being married, higher socioeconomic status, and level of education.


CONCLUSIONS
Our sample demonstrates an inadequate knowledge regarding the presentations, risk factors, and screening of cancers. Efforts aiming to correct these deficiencies might result in a successful and cost-effective model for primary and secondary prevention of major cancers in Pakistan.
Mazahir
Samia
S
Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Nusrat
Rabeeya
R
Bokutz
Munira
M
Rizvi
Nida Butool
NB
Jaffer
Nadeem Nooruddin
NN
Malik
Rabia
R
Merchant
Kanwal Aliraza
KA
Raza
Ali
A
Maqsood
Maria
M
Hasnain
Syed Faridul
SF
Khawaja
Muhammad Rizwanulhaq
MR
D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*