title: Evaluation of the Knowledge Levels of 50-Year-Old and Older Individuals Regarding Colorectal Cancer.
abstract: Our aim was to determine some risk factors for colorectal cancer and evaluate the knowledge levels about it among individuals aged 50 and over. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1161 patients aged 50 and over in 2014. The data were collected by a questionnaire form consisting of 46 questions. The chi square test and the logistic regression analysis were performed in the data analysis. The mean age of the participants was 57.9 ± 5.6, 60; 4 % were women, and 77.7 % were married. It was determined that 23.0 % of the elderly people were smokers, and 46.5 % did not do regular physical exercises. It was detected that 29.8 % had fatigue, 27.5 % had abdominal pain, 14.9 % had melena, and 10.3 % had constipation or diarrhea in the last 3 months. The mean colorectal cancer knowledge score was 6.84 ± 2.46. It was determined that the socio-demographic variables and the risk factors that were based on self-report of the elderly influenced the knowledge scores on colorectal cancer and its early diagnosis (p < 0.05). Consequently, it has been determined that the elderly people have the risk factors of colorectal cancer; however, they do not have adequate knowledge about this disease.
authors.affiliation: Izmir Public Health Directorate, Izmir, Turkey. turhanebru1@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ebru
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Turhan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Colorectal cancer screening; Knowledge level; Risks; The elderly