Cancer related knowledge, attitude, and practice among community health care providers and health assistants in rural Bangladesh

Abstract

Background Cancer remains one of the primary causes of death in Bangladesh. The success of cancer control in rural areas depends on the ability of the health care system and workforce to identify and manage cases properly at early stages. Community Health Workers (CHW) can play a vital role in this process. The present study aims to assess cancer related Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) among 2 categories of CHWs - Community Health Care Providers (CHCP) and Health Assistants (HA) in rural Bangladesh. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire from July 2019 to June 2020. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to determine the sample. One Upazilla Health Complex (UHC) from each of the eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh were randomly chosen as study sites, from which 325 CHCPs and HAs were in the final sample. Multivariate logistic regression models were developed to determine the association between KAP scores and demographic variables. Results Our study shows that a modest number of respondents scored above average in the knowledge (54.15%), attitude (58.15%), and practice (65.54%) sections. Majority CHCPs (90.91%) and HAs (96.06%) did not receive govt. training on cancer. Only 20.71% HAs and 25.2% CHCPs knew about the availability of cancer treatment options in Bangladesh. Uncertainty about the availability of relevant treatments or vaccinations at public facilities was also high. Having cancer in the family, income, duration of employment and workplace locations were important predictors of cancer related KAP scores. Conclusion Healthcare workforce’s knowledge gap and unfavorable attitude towards cancer may result in poor delivery of care at the rural level. For many people in rural areas, CHCPs and HAs are the first point of contact with the healthcare system and thus effective cancer control strategies must consider them as key stakeholders. Targeted training programs must be adopted to address the cancer related KAP gaps among CHCPs and HAs.

Attitudes and Practice of Health Care Providers Toward Cancer Screening: A Cross-sectional Multicenter Study, Saudi Arabia

“…However, improved survival can be achieved through cancer prevention and early detection strategies. As a result, it is assumed that the new generation may have lower cancer rates in adulthood than in previous generations [ 6 , 7 ]. Achieving this goal requires a more interdisciplinary and multifaceted approach [ 6 , 7 ].…”

“…As a result, it is assumed that the new generation may have lower cancer rates in adulthood than in previous generations [ 6 , 7 ]. Achieving this goal requires a more interdisciplinary and multifaceted approach [ 6 , 7 ]. Many public and clinical health efforts are required to build a sustainable infrastructure to disseminate preventive measures for cancer control [ 3 , 5 , 6 ].…”

“…Achieving this goal requires a more interdisciplinary and multifaceted approach [ 6 , 7 ]. Many public and clinical health efforts are required to build a sustainable infrastructure to disseminate preventive measures for cancer control [ 3 , 5 , 6 ].…”

“…Screening is a cancer prevention measure for groups who are asymptomatic, and diagnosis is a medical test for groups who are symptomatic [ 2 , 6 ]. By the time the cancer symptoms appear, the cancer may have grown and spread; making it harder to treat or cure [ 8 – 11 ].…”

Pengetahuan, Sikap Dan Amalan Belia Di Lembah Klang Terhadap Unsur-Unsur Tradisi Dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan

“…Kajian Tinjauan (Survey) Model KAP ini telah pun mantap dan digunakan secara meluas dalam pelbagai jenis bidang seperti kesihatan (Francis et al, 2021;Alaofè et al, 2021;Farahat et al, 2014;Getaneh et al, 2021;Mubin et al, 2021;Li et al, 2021;Mohd Hilmi Mahmud & Kamaliah Siarap, 2013); pendidikan (Chien-Yun et al, 2011;Nor Kalsum Mohd Isa, 2016;Luo et al, 2017); alam sekitar (Ahmad et al, 2020;Pretto et al, 2015;Jamilah Ahmad et al, 2017) dan makanan (Campbell, 2011;Mihalache et al, 2021).…”