Awareness of cancer and its Symptoms among the Rural Population Ram S Kalyan1,*, Muthiah Muthulakshmi2 1M.B.B.S, Final Year, Department of Community Medicine, Saveetha Medical College, Thandalam, Chennai 2Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Saveetha Medical College, Thandalam, Chennai *Corresponding Author: Kalyan Ram S, M.B.B.S, Final Year, Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Nagar, Thandalam, Chennai-602105
Online published on 13 November, 2019. Abstract Background Awareness and perception of cancer and its symptoms are low in rural population. Objectives To assess the level of awareness among rural people regarding cancer symptoms, the various treatment modalities available as well as preventive measures. To assess the difference in awareness levels with respect to sociodemographic variables. Materials and Methodology A community based cross sectional study was conducted from January 2018-October 2018 with the help of a self designed questionnaire. The subjects were chosen by non probability sampling technique. The sample size was 204. Collected data was entered into a spreadsheet and analysed with the help of Chi-Square test. Results Among the male population 65.26% and among females 69.72% had adequate knowledge about cancer. 80.46% of adequate knowledge was seen below 30 years and 58.12% was seen among 30 and above age group people. Among those who were educated above high school level, 79.87% had adequate knowledge about cancer and those who were educated below high school level, 34.55% had adequate knowledge about cancer. 68.62% of Hindus had adequate knowledge and 56.25% of non-Hindus had adequate knowledge about cancer. Conclusion The awareness was considered to be inadequate. Various health programmes and rural campaigns are to be undertaken to improve the knowledge about cancer. Top Keywords Neoplasm, cancer, India, rural, risk factor, awareness, knowledge, treatment, prevention, prognosis, warning signs. Top |