Factors predicting improved compliance towards colonoscopy in individuals with positive faecal immunochemical test (FIT)

OBJECTIVES: Follow‐up colonoscopy after a positive faecal immunochemical test (FIT) in any colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programme is integral. However, many individuals who had a positive FIT declined colonoscopy subsequently. This study aims to uncover the predictors on completion of colonoscopy using the Health Belief Model (HBM) between individuals who complete and those who did not after a positive FIT. METHODS: A mixed‐method study comprising qualitative semi‐structured interviews followed by a locally validated questionnaire in Singapore was prospectively administered via telephone interview to average risk individuals with positive FIT results from a cohort of the national FIT screening database referred for follow‐up colonoscopic evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 394 individuals, with a median age of 66 years (range, 46–89 years), were recruited. Fifty percent completed follow‐up colonoscopic evaluation and formed the “doers” group. All participants demonstrated high knowledge of symptoms of CRC and awareness and qualitative responses were aligned to the various HBM domains. Using multi‐variable analysis, doers felt that medical recommendations (odds ratio [OR], 2.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23–4.63, p = 0.01) and mainstream media publicity (OR, 2.16, 95% CI: 1.09–4.26, p = 0.026) were important. Non‐doers showed positive association with perceived barriers such as cost (OR, 2.15, 95% CI: 1.10–4.20, p = 0.026) and inconvenience (OR, 3.44, 95% CI: 1.50–7.89, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Identified factors such as tackling perceived barriers, public health education and active promotion by medical physicians, family and friends could help guide subsequent interventions to improve compliance of individuals with positive FIT to undergo follow‐up colonoscopy.