Study of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Health Workers in Isfahan Health Centers No. 1 and 2, Iran, Regarding the Risk Factors of Gastrointestinal Cancers (Colorectal) in 2020 Publisher



Jalalpour M¹ ; Tarrahi MJ² ; Yadegarfar G^{2, 3} Show Affiliations
Source: Journal of Health System Research Published:2023

Abstract

Background: Gastrointestinal cancers are one of the most dangerous and common cancers in Iran. This type of cancer is more common in the esophagus, stomach, colon, and rectum. The present study is aimed to determine the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of employed health professionals about the risk factors of gastrointestinal cancers. Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, all 175 male and female health workers in Isfahan Health Centers No. 1 and 2, Isfahan, Iran, were studied. Data were collected using a questionnaire, measuring the knowledge, attitude, and practice of health workers. Raw data of knowledge, attitude, and practice were converted to standard scores from 0 to 100 with a linear conversion and were described with mean, standard deviation (SD), 95% confidence interval (CI), median, and interquartile range. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a significance level of 5% using SPSS software. Findings: The mean scores of knowledge for all participants were 69.3%, the mean scores of attitude were 73.9%, and the mean scores of behavior were 35.3%. The difference between the mean scores of knowledge, attitude, and behavior of health workers according to gender, marital status, family history, income, and enteritis was not statistically significant. However, the mean scores of individuals’ behavior with educational levels of diploma and sub-diploma were statistically significant (P = 0.046). Attitude score increased in terms of age (P = 0.007). Additionally, there was a significant linear positive correlation between work experience and attitude score (r = 0.218, P = 0.004). The relationship between gender and nutritional behavior was significant (P = 0.039). The average knowledge score of people who needed periodic testing was 76.6, which was also significantly different from people who did not need periodic testing (P = 0.026). Conclusion: With increasing age and the years of employment, the attitude score increased. Moreover, the average nutritional behavior of male health workers was lower than female ones. It was also found that people who needed periodic testing had higher knowledge ones. Therefore, in addition to developing appropriate training programs, adopting other health policies is needed, so that by overcoming the barriers to preventive behaviors, not only the performance of health workers can be increased but also by providing services to the covered populations, people's participation in colorectal cancer screening programs can be improved. © 2023, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.