Awareness and willingness to participate in medical screening programs, Taif city
Authors:   Maram Al-Joudi, Fahad Al-Omari, Manal Al-Jabri, Elham Al-Gethami, Laila Al-Ghamri, Mahmood Osama, Waleed saud alsahafi, Mohammad alqarni, Marwa alrefaei
Published: January 2022

Background: There is great impact of implementing evidence based screening programs on improving public health outcomes. When applied properly it will lead to prevent disease, reduce disability and cut mortality. 1st step in conducting such programs is awareness about current situation regarding knowledge and willingness of the targeted population for such programs. Objectives: To estimate level of knowledge about breast cancer, colorectal cancer and osteoporosis and assess willingness to participate in screening programs among resident of king Fahad airbase in Taif city. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted among King Fahad Air base residents using an online survey to investigate the awareness of the residents of air base about the detection of some diseases. The study included all age groups and both genders, the study continued for 2 weeks. The survey investigated demographics of participants, their awareness about breast cancer, colon and rectum cancers, and osteoporosis regarding the prevalence, family history, and other questions associated with level of knowledge of such diseases. Results: The present study included 121 participants; most dominant age group represented 41.32% with an age range of 35-44 years old. Females were more dominant than males with 65.29%. Regarding family history, there were 6.61%, 5.83%, and 42.15% reported having a family history of breast cancer, colon and rectum cancers, and osteoporosis. Regarding the prevalence of breast cancer, there were 59.17% moderate in prevalence. Regarding colon and rectum cancers, there were 58.68% moderate in prevalence. There were 70.83% reported that osteoporosis is prevalent. Regarding the appropriate age for early detection of the diseases, there were 38.02% reported 30 years and more for the detection of breast cancer, 52.07%, 42.15% when symptoms appear regarding colorectal cancers and osteoporosis respectively. Regarding the symptoms related to colon and rectum cancers, there were 44.63% reported abdominal pain, 49.59% reported changes in faces, 67.77% reported the presence of blood in the stool, 23.14% reported vomiting and nausea, and 5.79% reported no symptoms. Regarding the risk factors of colon and rectum cancers, there were 66.12%, 70.59%, 76.03%, 66.94%, 71.07%, and 33.06% reported eating few vegetables and fruits, smoking, low fiber diet, high-fat diet, the low practice of exercise, and age older than 50 years old, respectively. Regarding breast cancers, the symptoms reported for breast cancer were as follows; 79.34% presence of a painless mass in the breast, 72.50% changes in skin color of the breast, 69.42% secretions and blood of the nipple, and 66.12% presence of ulcers around the nipple and the breast. The risk factors of breast cancers reported by participants included; 57.02% presence of a family history of breast cancer, 32.23% obesity, 5.83% early puberty, 15.70% cessation of menstruation in late age, 22.5% reproduction in late age or no reproduction, 34.17% not performing the exercise, 42.02% old age, and 52.07% no breastfeeding. Regarding osteoporosis, there were 78.99% of participants reported no symptoms for osteoporosis, 77.50% reported that exercise helps against osteoporosis, 74.17% reported that females more prone to osteoporosis than males, and 45.83% reported that smoking is a risk factor for osteoporosis, The knowledge of participants regarding the early detection of the three stated There were 39.17%, 15.83%, and 23.14% reported having awareness regarding early detection of breast cancer, colon and rectum cancer, and osteoporosis. A positive attitude of participants regarding future connection for early detection of breast cancer was reported by 76.4%, 62.92% colon and rectum cancer, and 76.40% for osteoporosis, Conclusion: There was low awareness among the population regarding the early detection of breast cancer, colon and rectum cancers, and osteoporosis. Moreover, there were gaps in the knowledge of participants regarding the symptoms and risk factors of the diseases. The moderate percent has a positive attitude toward early detection.