DETERMINANTS OF COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING UPTAKE IN PAKISTAN: A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND BEHAVIORAL FACTORS

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has become an expanding health issue among the Pakistani population, although there is not much awareness or participation in screening. This cross-sectional research evaluated knowledge, attitudes, and determinants affecting the uptake of CRC screening in 421 adults who were in different regions of Pakistan. A descriptive and inferential statistics analysis of the data was performed with the help of a self-administered questionnaire of the structured type. The results found that there was moderate awareness, but the real screening rates were very low. The level of education was also found to be strongly related to knowledge, and restricted accessibility, prices, and the lack of physician recommendation were identified as the main obstacles. The strength of predictors of screening behavior according to logistic regression was found in knowledge. The outcomes have revealed the presence of a meaningful gap in knowledge and practice and the imminent necessity of structured screening campaigns at the national level, community-oriented education, and free or cheap preventive healthcare. The best approach to reduce preventable morbidity and mortality in Pakistan is to empower the population by imparting more awareness and incorporating CRC screening into the primary healthcare framework.