A Rural-Urban Comparison of Knowledge, Risk- Factors and Preventive Practices for Colorectal Cancer among Adults in Lagos State

OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare the knowledge, risk-factors and preventive practices for colorectal cancer among adults in Lagos State. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional comparative study conducted among 607 respondents selected from one rural (Ikorodu) and one urban (Surulere) LGA using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire administered by trained research assistants between April and September 2017.Data was analyzed using Epi-info statistical software version 3.5.1. Univariate and bivariate analysis was carried out and -p values of ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Respondents’ knowledge of colorectal cancer was generally low, (rural-78.2%, urban- 62.2%, p<0.001). Urban respondents were significantly more knowledgeable than their rural counterparts (rural- 21.8%, urban- 37.8%, p<0.001). The presence of CRC risk-factors were higher among urban respondents (urban-49.3%, rural-42.6%, p= 0.09), however this difference was not statistically significant. Preventive practices were generally poor in both groups, although more (18.1%) urban respondents significantly took preventive actions against CRC compared with rural (6.9%) respondents, (p<0.001).Increasing levels of education were significantly associated with higher knowledge level in both groups (p≤0.05). CONCLUSION: The level of knowledge of colorectal cancer was generally poor in both groups but significantly poorer among rural respondents. The presence of known risk- factor was higher among urban respondents while preventive practices were poor in both groups.