title: Lung cancer awareness and anticipated delay before seeking medical help in the middle-belt population of Nigeria.
abstract: METHODS
  Ilorin metropolis in the middle-belt region of Nigeria.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the awareness about warning signs and risk factors for lung cancer and the anticipated delay before seeking medical care in the middle-belt population of Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study performed among 1125 adults. Lung cancer awareness measure (Lung CAM) was administered face to face by trained interviewers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The respondents' Lung CAM score was low for warning signs and risk factors for lung cancer. Apart from tobacco smoking (69.9%) and air pollution (56.4%), other risk factors were poorly recognised by respondents. Higher education and income and having a relative or friends who had previously had lung cancer were significantly associated with awareness about warning signs and risk factors. The majority (66.8%) would seek help before 2 weeks if they noticed a warning sign. Anticipated delay was associated with non-recognition of any warning sign (OR 3.09, 95%CI 2.26-4.22), lower education (OR 1.90, 95%CI 1.40-2.57), lower income (OR 1.86, 95%CI 1.26-2.75) and males (OR 1.50, 95%CI 1.15-1.97).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The awareness of lung cancer warning signs and risk factors are not satisfactory in Nigeria. There is a need to increase awareness about the condition to prevent delays in seeking medical help.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Desalu
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Fawibe
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Sanya
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: O B
authors.initials: OB
authors.lastname: Ojuawo
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Aladesanmi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Salami
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult