Patients’ participation in the colorectal cancer screening program and their health beliefs

Abstract

Abstract Background Both morbidity and mortality rates from colorectal cancer (CRC) have been increasing in Lithuania. However, only about 50% of the target Lithuanian population was involved in CRC screening in 2018. The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between the involvement of 50- to 74-year-old primary care patients in CRC screening and their health beliefs as well as awareness about this screening. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in September-November 2016. A total of 390 patients aged 50-74 years were anonymously surveyed at 10 primary health care institutions of Šakiai region, Lithuania. The response rate was 86.7%. Chi-square and z tests were used to determine a relationship between two nominal (categorical) variables (α = 0.05). Results 43.1% of the respondents noted about their participation in the CRC screening program. Those who had participated in the program more often (p < 0.05) than nonparticipants reported to be worried about getting CRC (60.6% vs 43%) and thought that this could happen already in the next year (16.8% vs 6.5%), more frequently believed that the possibility of getting CRC for them was very high (74.8% vs 60.9%), that they had predisposition to CRC (44.9% vs 27.6%) and that CRC screening will prevent them from problems in the future (97.4% vs 90.9%). The participants of the CRC screening program also more frequently (p < 0.05) than nonparticipants noted that they had heard about this program before their involvement in it (98.8% vs 70.9%) and got this information from their family doctor 2.1 times more frequently (88.1% vs 41.4%). Nearly half (47.3%) of the program participants and 30.6% of the nonparticipants mentioned that the responsibility for participation in the CRC screening program should be taken by patients themselves (p < 0.05). Conclusions Participation of patients in the CRC screening program is related to their health beliefs, awareness and active engagement of family doctors in CRC screening programs. Key messages The patients who had participated in the CRC screening program had more negative health beliefs regarding CRC and were better informed on the program by their family doctor than nonparticipants. Family doctors should pay more attention to informing patients about CRC and its prevention.