The Level of Knowledge about Colorectal Cancer and the Information Needs of the Thai People

Abstract

Two of the most effective prevention for colorectal cancer (CRC) are providing people advice about how to avoid its risk factors and to get cancer screenings. Therefore, exploring the Thai people’s basic knowledge about CRC and information needs will help improve future prevention plans. The purpose of this research was to assess the level of knowledge and information needs regarding CRC. The participants were 138 people attending a CRC Screening Program. Data were collected using demographic information, a 25-item questionnaire, and opened ended questions. The questionnaire was validated by five experts in the field. The reliability of the questionnaire was .80 using the Kuder Richardson formula (KR 20). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Results show that the participants’ average age was 60.89 years (SD = 6.61). Most of them were female (66.7%), had completed grade 4 (42.8%), had no family history of cancer (55.8%), and were receiving advice about CRC (52.9%). Most participants had a high level of knowledge about the signs of CRC (86.2%) and a medium level of knowledge about CRC screening (63%), but their knowledge about the causes (74%) and prevention (55.1%) of the disease were at medium to low levels. Most participants wanted more information about CRC prevention (67.4%) and video material to review their knowledge (82.6%). Therefore, stakeholders should organize information programs that meet the people’s needs to increase their knowledge about CRC.