Introduction: This is a continuation of the
author’s study of cancer knowledge, attitudes, and practice among students to test the null hypothesis that knowledge
does not on its own lead to changes in opinions, attitudes, or lifestyle practices.
Objectives: Explore the association between
knowledge (K) and Opinions/attitudes (A) or practices (P) with regard to cancer prevention.
Methodology: Data was collected by questionnaire
from medical students in years 1 -3 after informed consent. Data keying and editing was with Excel and analysis with SPSS
version 12.0. The association between knowledge variables on one hand and opinion, attitude, and practice variables on the
other hand was investigated using the Pearson chi-square test for association or Fischer’s exact test for small cell
numbers. Adjustment for 2 potential confounders (gender and year of study) identified in an earlier analysis (Int Med J Vol
4 No. 1 June 2005) was carried out using multiple logistic regression models Levels for the stepwise regression model were
set as 0.05 for entry and 0.1 for removal and the maximum number of iterations was set at 20.
Results: There was borderline association between
knowledge and practice with regard to consumption of meat, fruits, and green vegetables. There was no significant association
between knowledge on one hand and attitude with regard to smoking, meat consumption, and green vegetable consumption on the
other.
Discussion and conclusions: Knowledge does
not automatically lead to change of attitudes or practices. This should therefore prompt a re-examination of current health
education strategies based on imparting knowledge. It should also lead to exploration to new methods of motivating change
in behavior such as religious sermons or youth entertainment media.
TABLE 1: RELATION BETWEEN KNOWING THAT STOPPING SMOKING PREVENTS CANCER AND
THE ATTITUDE OF NOT WANTING TO SIT NEXT TO SOMEONE SMOKING
|
Knowledge |
Attitude:
I do not want sitting next to someone smoking |
|
Agree |
Do
not agree |
Total |
|
Stopping
smoking prevents cancer Agree
Do not agree |
178
(92.7%) |
14(7.3%) |
192
(100%) |
|
1(100%) |
0(0%) |
1
(100%) |
|
Total |
179 |
14 |
193 |
Exact
p-value = 0.927
TABLE 2: RELATION BETWEEN KNOWING THAT STOPPING SMOKING PREVENTS CANCER AND
THE PRACTICE OF SMIOKING
|
Knowledge |
Practice:
smoking status |
|
Smoker
& ex-smoker |
Never
smoker |
Total |
|
Stopping
smoking prevents cancer Agree
Do not agree |
17(8.9%) |
174(91.1%) |
191(100%) |
|
0(0%) |
1(100%) |
1(100%) |
|
Total |
17 |
175 |
192 |
Exact
p-value = 0.911
TABLE 3: RELATION BETWEEN KNOWING THAT INCREASING MEAT INTAKE IN THE DIET PREVENTS
CANCER and THE ATTITUDE OF NOT BEING CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IS EATEN
|
Knowledge |
Attitude:
I do not care what I eat |
|
Agree |
Do
not agree |
Total |
|
Increasing
meat intake prevents cancer Agree
Do not agree |
4(22.2%) |
14(77.8%) |
18(100%) |
|
21(14.1%) |
128(85.9%) |
149(100%) |
|
Total |
25 |
142 |
157 |
Exact
p-value = 0.272
TABLE 4: RELATION BETWEEN KNOWING THAT INCREASING MEAT INTAKE IN THE DIET PREVENTS
CANCER and THE PRACTICE OF MEAT CONSUMPTION
|
Knowledge |
Practice:
Meet consumption of per week |
|
7
times or more |
Less
than 7 times |
Total |
|
Increasing
meat intake prevents cancer Agree
Do not agree |
11(61.1%) |
7(38.9%) |
18
(100%) |
|
54(36.7%) |
93(63.3%) |
147
(100%) |
|
Total |
65 |
100 |
165 |
Exact
p-value = 0.042
TABLE 5: RELATION BETWEEN KNOWING THAT INCLUDING GREEN VEGETABLES AND FRUITS
IN THE DIET PREVENTS CANCER and THE ATTITUDE OF NOT CARING ABOUT WHAT IS EATEN
|
Knowledge |
Attitude:
I do not care what I eat |
|
Agree |
Do
not agree |
Total |
|
Green
vegetables and fruits prevents cancer Agree
Do not agree |
22(13.7%) |
139(86.3%) |
161(100%) |
|
5(23.8%) |
16(76.2%) |
21(100%) |
|
Total |
27 |
155 |
182 |
Exact
p-value = 0.179
TABLE 6: RELATION BETWEEN KNOWING THAT INCLUDING GREEN VEGETABLES AND FRUITS
IN THE DIET PREVENTS CANCER and THE PRACTICE OF FRUIT CONSUMPTION
|
Knowledge |
Practice:
Fruit consumption per week |
|
7
times or more |
Less
than 7 times |
Total |
|
Green
vegetables and fruits prevents cancer Agree
Do not agree |
15(9.4%) |
145(90.6%) |
160 |
|
5(23.8%) |
16(76.2%) |
21 |
|
Total |
20 |
30 |
181 |
Exact
p-value = 0.062
TABLE 7: RELATION BETWEEN KNOWING THAT INCLUDING GREEN VEGETABLES AND FRUITS
IN THE DIET PREVENTS CANCER and THE PRACTICE OF GEEN VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION
|
Knowledge |
Practice:
Green vegetable consumption per week |
|
0
times |
1-3
times |
4-6
times |
7+
times |
Total |
|
Green
vegetables and fruits prevents cancer Agree
Do not agree |
32(20.0%) |
6(3.8%) |
59(36.9%) |
63(39.4%) |
181(100%) |
|
2(9.5%) |
0(0%) |
4(19.0%) |
15(71.4%) |
21(100%) |
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
P
value from Pearson chi square = 0.046
