Levels and correlates of knowledge about cancer risk factors among 13,293 public school students in Morelos, Mexico

Preventive Medicine
Irma Pérez-ContrerasEduardo Lazcano-Ponce

Abstract

Data on young people's knowledge about cancer prevention are not currently available for many populations, including Mexican young people, although cancer is the second most common cause of death among the Mexican population. A questionnaire was applied to 13,293 public school students aged 11-24 years in Morelos, Mexico. A knowledge-based scale was constructed from survey answers about risk factors for cancer. Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic multinomial models. Knowledge levels were low: 78% of male and 74% of female students had only wrong answers to questions about risk factors for cancer. A significant dose-response gradient was observed between age and knowledge of cancer risk factors (P < 0.001), with a higher prevalence in young women at all ages (female students OR 4.6, 95% CI 3.81-5.66). Students 18 years old and older knew more than 13-year-olds (OR = 2.39; 95% CI 1.89-3.01). Sexually active students (OR 2.10; 95% CI 1.70-2.58), especially those who consistently used condoms (OR 2.84; 95% CI 1.00-8.07), knew more about cancer prevention. Tobacco smoking was the most frequently recognized cancer risk factor, and smokers also recognized this as an important cause of cancer (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.44-2.52). Our...Continue Reading

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Citations

Mar 12, 2013·Journal of Cancer Education : the Official Journal of the American Association for Cancer Education·Lih-Lian Hwang
Jun 18, 2014·Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP·Meltem KurtuncuIsin Alkan
Dec 25, 2009·Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health·Awat FeiziZahra Monjamed
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