Knowledge and Perception on Lung Cancer and Its Screening: A Study among Undergraduate Students of the International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus

Abstract

Lung cancer is the second most common contributor to overall cancer–associated death in Malaysia after breast cancer. Many cases of late diagnosis are because patients failed to recognize the symptoms and poor awareness of signs, symptoms and nature of the disease. Objective: The general objective of this research is to evaluate the knowledge on lung cancer and perception on its screening among IIUM Kuantan students. Method: This is a cross-sectional study whereby convenient sampling was used as the sampling method strategy. Knowledge and perception scores were analyzed using descriptive statistics by denoting it in terms of frequency and percentages. Tests such as independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney and Pearson correlation tests were used to find the association of gender, kulliyyah (faculty), marital status, as well as age and year of study with knowledge and perception of students. Association between knowledge of lung cancer with perception of its screening was also evaluated using Pearson correlation test. Results: Most of IIUM Kuantan students portrayed good level of knowledge and perception. Socio-demographic factors that were significantly associated with students’ knowledge include age (p=0.001), year of study (p<0.001) and kulliyyah (p<0.001); whereas, only kulliyyah is significantly associated with students’ perception (p=0.008). Besides, students’ level of knowledge is significantly associated with their perception (p<0.001, r=0.326). Conclusion: Overall, the general knowledge of students regarding lung cancer and their perception towards lung cancer screening is good. Students with greater knowledge express better perception towards lung cancer screening.