1577P - Barriers to improving awareness of the importance on exercise and dietary intervention, impact of it on lung cancer survivors’ behavior

Abstract

Background: Awareness of the importance on exercise and dietary intervention can provide significant benefits for lung cancer patients and survivors. This study first aimed to identify the barriers and preferences to improving awareness of the importance on exercise and dietary education. In addition, the study also explored the impact of patients’ awareness of the importance on exercise and diet education toward the stage of behavior change, intention of actual participation to the programs. Methods: Total 830 lung cancer survivors from two hospitals in South Korea participated in this postal questionnaire–survey. Standardized measures including patients’ socio-demographic variables, preferences for appropriate education time and place were identified as the barriers for their awareness of the importance of exercise and diet counseling program. In addition, the impacts of it on each intention of actual participation to both programs and maintaining regular exercise and balanced diet were analyzed in order. Results: Patients who recognized exercise education program very important had more intention of actual participation to the program (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR], 2.11; 95% Confidential Interval [CI], 1.57-2.83). In addition, subjects who recognized diet counseling programs very important maintained their behavior of balanced diet more than 6 months (aOR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.92-3.61). However, significant differences based on the socio-demographic variables and program preferences (i.e., lower education and income, preferred time and place etc.) were identified as main barriers for survivors’ awareness of the importance of the exercise and diet counseling program. Conclusions: Identification of main barriers provides valuable information regarding improving survivors’ awareness of the importance on exercise and dietary intervention, which should be targeted in maintaining future physical activity and balanced diet, and encouraging the intention of actual engagement to the programs. Legal entity responsible for the study: Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea Funding: None Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.