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Awareness of Cancer Risk Factors and Its Signs and Symptoms in Northern Tanzania: a Cross-Sectional Survey in the General Population and in People Living with HIV.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Munishi, OM; McCormack, V; Mchome, B; Mangi, G; Zullig, LL; Bartlett, J; Mapunda, O; Nyindo, P; Namwai, T; Muiruri, C; Kimaro, F; Karia, F; Mmbaga, BT
Published in: J Cancer Educ
August 2020

An important component of cancer control programs for the growing burden in sub-Saharan Africa is a population's awareness of risk factors. Studies thereof have focused on single rather than multiple cancers and carcinogens. During March and April 2015, we undertook a survey to assess awareness of multiple cancer risk factors and symptoms in the Kilimanjaro Region, North Tanzania. General population (n = 620) and attendees at HIV care-and-treatment clinics (CTCs) were included (n = 207). Participants' mean age was 43.8 (interquartile range 30-52) years; 58% were female. Awareness of cancer risk was highest for tobacco (90%) and alcoholic spirits (67%), but tended to be lower for infections (41% for HIV (42.2% and 41.4% for CTC and community group, respectively) and 16% for HPV (16.0% and 16.6% for CTC and community group, respectively)), while that of moldy maize and peanuts was 35% for both. Awareness of specific cancer signs and symptoms ranged between 70% and 90%. Awareness of alcohol and tobacco was higher in men than women (odds ratio = 1.82 (1.38, 2.40) and 3.96 (2.14, 7.31), respectively). In relation to cancer treatment, 70% preferred modern medicine and 10% preferred traditional medicine alone. Sixty percent was not aware of any local cancer early detection services. Only 20% had ever been examined for cancer, and of those screened, CTC group was 1.5 times more likely to screen than community participants. Awareness did not differ by age or HIV status. There are good levels of cancer risk factor awareness for certain lifestyle-related carcinogens in Tanzania; however, increased awareness is needed especially for infections and cancer warning symptom both in the general and HIV-positive population, as well as some myths to be dispelled.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Cancer Educ

DOI

EISSN

1543-0154

Publication Date

August 2020

Volume

35

Issue

4

Start / End Page

696 / 704

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Tanzania
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Risk Factors
  • Public Health
  • Neoplasms
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • HIV Infections
 

Citation

APA
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Munishi, O. M., McCormack, V., Mchome, B., Mangi, G., Zullig, L. L., Bartlett, J., … Mmbaga, B. T. (2020). Awareness of Cancer Risk Factors and Its Signs and Symptoms in Northern Tanzania: a Cross-Sectional Survey in the General Population and in People Living with HIV. J Cancer Educ, 35(4), 696–704. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-019-01513-6
Munishi, Oresto Michael, Valerie McCormack, Bariki Mchome, Glory Mangi, Leah L. Zullig, John Bartlett, Oscar Mapunda, et al. “Awareness of Cancer Risk Factors and Its Signs and Symptoms in Northern Tanzania: a Cross-Sectional Survey in the General Population and in People Living with HIV.J Cancer Educ 35, no. 4 (August 2020): 696–704. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-019-01513-6.
Munishi OM, McCormack V, Mchome B, Mangi G, Zullig LL, Bartlett J, et al. Awareness of Cancer Risk Factors and Its Signs and Symptoms in Northern Tanzania: a Cross-Sectional Survey in the General Population and in People Living with HIV. J Cancer Educ. 2020 Aug;35(4):696–704.
Munishi, Oresto Michael, et al. “Awareness of Cancer Risk Factors and Its Signs and Symptoms in Northern Tanzania: a Cross-Sectional Survey in the General Population and in People Living with HIV.J Cancer Educ, vol. 35, no. 4, Aug. 2020, pp. 696–704. Pubmed, doi:10.1007/s13187-019-01513-6.
Munishi OM, McCormack V, Mchome B, Mangi G, Zullig LL, Bartlett J, Mapunda O, Nyindo P, Namwai T, Muiruri C, Kimaro F, Karia F, Mmbaga BT. Awareness of Cancer Risk Factors and Its Signs and Symptoms in Northern Tanzania: a Cross-Sectional Survey in the General Population and in People Living with HIV. J Cancer Educ. 2020 Aug;35(4):696–704.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Cancer Educ

DOI

EISSN

1543-0154

Publication Date

August 2020

Volume

35

Issue

4

Start / End Page

696 / 704

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Tanzania
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Risk Factors
  • Public Health
  • Neoplasms
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • HIV Infections