Knowledge, Attitudes, and Barriers (KABs) of Regarding Colorectal Cancer Screening among the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan

BACKGROUND: One of the obstacles to participating in CRC screening is the lack of knowledge about the importance of CRC, its risk factors and the benefits that can be obtained through screening. The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness and to identify the barriers to colorectal cancer screening among the population of the Republic of Kazakhstan. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study based on questionnaire, which was conducted in different regions of Kazakhstan from 2020 to 2021. This study involved 486 respondents. The survey was conducted both personally and using a web questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed independently, taking into account international results and experience, and was validated. RESULTS: 486 participants were included in this study. Out of 486 who participated: 245 (50.04%) did not know whether CRC can occur without symptoms, 259 (53.3%) did not know that the disease is widespread, 232 (47.7%) believed that the disease is curable, 276 (56.8%) believed that CRC is a fatal disease. 357 (73.5%) participants responded that screening can provide timely and effective treatment of CRC. 57.4% of respondents did not agree that the CRC screening procedure is ineffective. However, they had obstacles to screening, such as: fear of getting CRC in the future 298 people (61.3%); and receiving unfavorable results during the examination of 291 people (59.9%). 317 people (65.2%) indicated that their ignorance of CRC was also an obstacle to screening. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate a lack of knowledge about the perception of CRC, participants’ perception of risk factors, signs and symptoms of CRC and screening methods. And the main obstacles to screening are: fear of getting unfavorable results during screening; fear of getting sick in the future; and lack of knowledge about CRC.