Study of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Risk Factors and Early Detection of Noncommunicable Diseases Among Rural Women in India

Abstract

PURPOSE In recognition of the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, we assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of rural women in low-resourced countries toward common NCDs and the barriers they face in receiving NCD early detection services. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study was conducted in a rural block of India using the Rapid Assessment and Response Evaluation ethnographic assessment, which included in-depth interviews of key health officials; focus group discussions with women, men, teachers, and health workers from the block; and a knowledge, attitudes, and practices questionnaire survey. The home-based survey was conducted among 1,192 women selected from 50 villages of the block using a two-stage randomization process and stratified to 30- to 44-year and 45- to 60-year age-groups. RESULTS Our study revealed low awareness among women with regard to tobacco as a risk factor; hypertension, diabetes, and cancer as major health threats; and the importance of their early detection. Only 4.8% of women reported to have ever consumed tobacco, and many others consumed smokeless tobacco without knowing that the preparations contained tobacco. Only 27.3% and 11.5% of women had any knowledge about breast and cervical cancer, respectively, and only a few could describe at least one common symptom of either cancer. Self-reported diagnosis of hypertension and diabetes was significantly lower than the reported national prevalence. Only 0.9% and 1.3% of women reported having had a breast examination or gynecologic checkup, respectively, in the past 5 years. Low female empowerment and misconceptions were major barriers. CONCLUSION Barriers need to be addressed to improve uptake of NCD early detection services.

Journeys: understanding access, affordability and disruptions to cancer care in India

“…Even when free-of-cost cancer screening is available, the acceptance remains low in the high-risk groups [ 5 ]. Social barriers to early detection of women’s cancer include low female empowerment and misconceptions [ 6 ], fear of cancer, lack of approval from partners to access health care and absence of a supportive social milieu for women to participate in a screening programme [ 7 ]. Thus, alongside the provision of affordable and accessible health care facilities [ 8 ], there is an urgent need to develop a deeper understanding of the patient preferences, early treatment facilitators, social barriers and enablers of cancer care in India [ 9 ].…”

The Association of Stage 1 Hypertension, Defined by the 2017 ACC/AHA Guidelines, With Cardiovascular Events Among Rural Women in Liaoning Province, China

“…The prevalence of stage 1 hypertension in developing countries is high but often underestimated due to its asymptomatic nature, thereby it seriously endangers human life and brings heavy economic burden to the society ( 27 ). According to previous research, the prevention and treatment of stage 1 hypertension in the rural areas of China should be improved because the current level of cognition, treatment, and control is low ( 28 , 29 ). The present study incorporated a large sample size and a long follow-up period in order to increase the statistical power of the findings.…”

Self-Structured Breast Cancer Awareness among Female Adolescent

“…However, the awareness of breast cancer in women is low (Katkuri & Gorantla, 2018;Mardela, Maneewat, & Sangchan, 2017;Sama et al, 2017;Sayed et al, 2019). Some of the factors that cause low awareness in women namely lack knowledge, risk factors, signs and symptoms, and low BSE (Agbokey et al, 2019;Apriliyana, Agusyahbana, Mawarni, & Nugroho, 2017;Katkuri & Gorantla, 2018;Liu et al, 2018;Mahajan et al, 2019;Sama et al, 2017;Sayed et al, 2019;Singam & Wirakusuma, 2017).…”