An Urban-Rural Comparison of Health-Promoting Behaviors in Adult Patients With Cancer Following Primary Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Limited studies have addressed health-promoting behaviors (HPBs) during survivorship among rural and urban patients with cancer in Saudi Arabia. Previous research has found a link between place of residence and HPBs but has shown inconsistent results. This study aimed to assess and compare HPBs following primary treatment between rural and urban patients with cancer and identify their differences according to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. A descriptive, comparative, cross-sectional study was conducted among a random sample of 148 adult rural and urban patients from two large hospitals in Saudi Arabia's Western region. The Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II) and sociodemographic and clinical surveys were completed by the participants. The study methods were compliant with the STROBE checklist. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The mean overall HPLP-II and domain scores were comparable between the urban and rural groups, indicating a moderate level, except for physical activity, which was low. However, the rural participants had significantly higher nutrition (t = 2.022, p < 0.05) and stress management (t = 2.033, p < 0.05) scores than the urban participants. The physical activity scores significantly varied according to age, marital status, and treatment types. The HPBs did not differ significantly between the groups (t = 0.702, p = 0.483). Given the increased emphasis on patient-centered care, initiatives to support HPBs in both populations will require more rigorous evidence. This study provides valuable insights into HPBs, cancer survivorship, and residential locations that policymakers, researchers, and healthcare providers should consider to improve HPBs in this population.