Flemmings F Ngwira, Lusizi Kambalame, Wellman Kondowe, Jessie Mkandawire
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Statistical data analyses were conducted using IBM® SPSS® statistics version 22.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> Awareness of cancer risk factors and early warning signs was found to be low, indicating a significant lack of public knowledge about cancer. The radio emerged as the most common medium of cancer information through which Malawians receive cancer information, followed by clinics and hospitals. Interestingly, many individuals perceived clinics - not the radio - as the primary source where they gained a clearer understanding of cancer information.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> The study concludes that public knowledge of cancer in Southern Malawi is low and although radio is the main information source, clinics are more effective because of expert guidance.Contribution: This study identifies critical gaps in cancer awareness and understanding in Malawi, highlighting the need for improved and targeted communication strategies, particularly among vulnerable populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"17 1","pages":"e1-e8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7000,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12339872/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":"{\"title\":\"Exploring cancer knowledge and sources of information among the public: An analytical study.\",\"authors\":\"Flemmings F Ngwira, Lusizi Kambalame, Wellman Kondowe, Jessie Mkandawire\",\"doi\":\"10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4820\",\"DOIUrl\":null,\"url\":null,\"abstract\":\"<p><strong>Background: </strong> Malawi faces a heavy cancer burden because of high incidence and late-stage diagnoses, largely driven by low public awareness of cancer risk factors and early warning signs.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong> This study aimed to explore the cancer knowledge of cancer risk factors and early warning signs, and sources of information among the public.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong> This study was conducted in four districts within the Southern Region of Malawi.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> The study used a cross-sectional approach to elicit knowledge of cancer and sources of cancer information among a sample of 305 participants. 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引用次数: 0
摘要
背景:马拉维因癌症发病率高且诊断较晚而面临沉重的癌症负担,这主要是由于公众对癌症危险因素和早期预警信号的认识较低。目的:本研究旨在探讨公众对癌症危险因素和早期预警信号的认知,以及信息来源。环境:本研究在马拉维南部地区的四个地区进行。方法:该研究采用横断面方法,在305名参与者中引出癌症知识和癌症信息来源。数据是使用先前标准化的癌症意识测量(CAM)收集的。统计数据分析采用IBM®SPSS®statistics version 22进行。结果:对癌症危险因素和早期预警信号的认识较低,表明公众对癌症的认识明显不足。无线电成为马拉维人获得癌症信息的最常见媒介,其次是诊所和医院。有趣的是,许多人认为诊所——而不是收音机——是他们获得更清晰的癌症信息的主要来源。结论:该研究得出结论,马拉维南部公众对癌症的认识很低,尽管无线电是主要的信息来源,但由于有专家指导,诊所更有效。贡献:本研究确定了马拉维在癌症认识和理解方面的关键差距,强调了改进和有针对性的沟通策略的必要性,特别是在弱势群体中。
Exploring cancer knowledge and sources of information among the public: An analytical study.
Background: Malawi faces a heavy cancer burden because of high incidence and late-stage diagnoses, largely driven by low public awareness of cancer risk factors and early warning signs.
Aim: This study aimed to explore the cancer knowledge of cancer risk factors and early warning signs, and sources of information among the public.
Setting: This study was conducted in four districts within the Southern Region of Malawi.
Methods: The study used a cross-sectional approach to elicit knowledge of cancer and sources of cancer information among a sample of 305 participants. Data were collected using a previously standardised Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM). Statistical data analyses were conducted using IBM® SPSS® statistics version 22.
Results: Awareness of cancer risk factors and early warning signs was found to be low, indicating a significant lack of public knowledge about cancer. The radio emerged as the most common medium of cancer information through which Malawians receive cancer information, followed by clinics and hospitals. Interestingly, many individuals perceived clinics - not the radio - as the primary source where they gained a clearer understanding of cancer information.
Conclusion: The study concludes that public knowledge of cancer in Southern Malawi is low and although radio is the main information source, clinics are more effective because of expert guidance.Contribution: This study identifies critical gaps in cancer awareness and understanding in Malawi, highlighting the need for improved and targeted communication strategies, particularly among vulnerable populations.