Introduction: Globally, it was estimated that there were 14.9 million new cases of cancer, 8.2 million deaths, and 196.3 million disability-adjusted life years due to cancer annually. Most of the risk factors for cancer increase rapidly during adolescence and these risk factors can be reduced through school-based interventions. In this research, we explored the level of knowledge, and risk perception among secondary school students concerning cancer. Methods: A cross-sectional study was used in which 500 students from five schools in Kampala, Uganda answered the questionnaires. Structured questionnaires were self-administered to advanced level students who consented to participate in the study. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: The majority (97.8%) of the students had heard about cancer, most of them didn’t know the symptoms of both prostate and cervical cancer, and the most common cancer cases. Only 22% answered that cancer is hereditary. 91.2% knew that cancer can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle. 72% identified unhealthy eating behavior as a risk factor for cancer. 74.8% knew that cervical cancer is preventable. 90.2% knew that evil spirits can’t cause cancer. Conclusion: The respondents had good knowledge and positive perception about the different cancers though there were several gaps. Incorporation of cancer knowledge in school curricula and with regular updates depending on the prevailing conditions should be done to improve on these gaps.
Cite this paper
Chemos, I. and Mpugu, S. K. (2022). Cancer-Related Knowledge and Risk Perception among Secondary School Students in Central Uganda. Open Access Library Journal, 9, e8364. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1108364.
Global Burden of Disease Cancer Collaboration (2015) Global Burden of Disease Cancer Collaboration (2015) The Global Burden of Cancer 2013. JAMA oncology, 1, 505-527. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoncol.2015.0735
Jemal, A., Bray, F., Forman, D., O’Brien, M., Ferlay, J., Center, M. and Parkin, D.M. (2012) Cancer Burden in Africa and Opportunities for Prevention. Cancer, 118, 4372-4384. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.27410
Finer L.B. (2007) Trends in Premarital Sex in the United States, 1954-2003. Public Health Reports, 122, 73-78. https://doi.org/10.1177/003335490712200110
Perera, B., Ostbye, T., Fernando, N., Abeygunawardena, V., Ariyananda, P.L. and Woods, C. (2007) Health and Health Behavior among Late Adolescents in Southern Sri Lanka. Galle Medical Journal, 12, 13-17. http://doi.org/10.4038/gmj.v12i1.1079
Kratzke, C., Vilchis, H. and Amatya, A. (2013) Breast Cancer Prevention Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors among College Women and Mother-Daughter Communication. J Community Health, 38, 560-568.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-013-9651-7
Rovito, M.J., Gordon, T.F., Bass, S.B. and DuCette, J. (2011) Perceptions of Testicular Cancer and Testicular Self-Examination among College Men: A Report on Intention, Vulnerability, and Promotional Material Preferences. American Journal of Men’s Health, 5, 500-507. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988311409023
Casciotti, D.M., Smith, K.C., Andon, L., Vernick, J., Tsui, A. and Klassen, A.C. (2014) Print News Coverage of School-Based Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Mandates. Journal of School Health, 84, 71-81. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12126
Vander Ploeg, K.A., Maximova, K., McGavock, J., Davis, W. and Veugelers, P. (2014) Do School-Based Physical Activity Interventions Increase or Reduce Inequalities in Health? Social Science & Medicine, 112, 80-87.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.04.032
Bartlett, E.E. (1981) The Contribution of School Health Education to Community Health Promotion: What Can We Reasonably Expect? American Journal of Public Health, 71, 1384-1391. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.71.12.1384
Shihab, R.A., Obeidat, N.A., Bader, R.K., Shtaiwi, A., Ayub, A. and Hawari, F.I. (2012) Cancer-Related Knowledge, Attitudes, and Risk Perception among 6 Grade students in Jordan. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 172, 155-160.
Oakley, A., Bendelow, G., Barnes, J., Buchanan, M. and Nasseem Husain, O.A. (1995) Health and Cancer Prevention: Knowledge and Beliefs of Children and Young People. BMJ, 310, 1029-1033. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.310.6986.1029
Sule, S.T., Shehu, S.M. and Ukwenya, J.E. (2014) Risk Factors for Common Cancers in Nigeria: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice among Secondary School Students in Kaduna, Nigeria. International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 6, 34-41.
https://doi.org/10.5897/IJMMS2013.0970
Knighting, K., Rowa-Dewar, N., Malcolm, C., Kearney, N. and Gibson, F. (2011) Children’s Understanding of Cancer and Views on Health-Related Behaviour: A ‘Draw And Write’ Study. Child Care Health and Development, 37, 289-299.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2214.2010.01138.x
Werk, R.S., Hill, J.C. and Graber, J.A. (2017) Impact of Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, and Perceived Importance on Steps Taken Toward Cancer Prevention among College Men and Women. Journal of Cancer Education, 32, 148-154.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-016-0996-3
Allison, K.R., Adlaf, E.M., Dwyer, J.J., Lysy, D.C. and Irving, H.M. (2007) The Decline in Physical Activity among Adolescent Students: A Cross-National Comparison. Canadian Journal of Public Health/Revue Canadienne de Sante’e Publique, 98, 97-100. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404317
Al-Sheyab, N.A., Alomari, M.A., Hayajneh, A.A. and Shah, S. (2019) Attitudes and Perceived Barriers toward Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors in Jordanian Adolescents: A Developing Country Perspective. Adolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics, 10, 39-47. https://doi.org/10.2147/AHMT.S181001
Al-Sagarat, A.Y. and Al Kalaldeh, M.T. (2017) Prevalence of Health-Risk Behaviors among Government Schools’ Students in Jordan. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 46, 1669-1678.
Bektas, M., Malak, A.T., Yumer, A.S., Korkmaz, M. and Özkan, A. (2010) Turkish University Students’ Nutritional Habits Regarding Cancer Prevention and Healthy Lifestyles. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 11, 1347-1350.