Knowledge on Warning Signs of Cancer among Nursing Students

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Cancer has historically been surrounded by myths and misconceptions, with early diagnoses often being fatal due to limited medical knowledge. Hippocrates (460–370 BC) first described cancer as "carcinosis" and linked it to the humor theory, which influenced treatments for centuries. Today, cancer is recognized as a group of over 200 diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth, affecting people of all ages, though 76% of cases occur in individuals over 55 years old. Cancer contributes to 5.1% of the global disease burden and 12.5% of all deaths.

Objectives: The objectives are as follows, 1. To assess the level of knowledge regarding warning signs of cancer among nursing students. 2. To find out the association between knowledge scores regarding warning signs of cancer among nursing students with their selected socio-demo graphic variables.

Methods:The research approach adopted for the study was a quantitative and descriptive research design was chosen by using non probability purposive sampling technique followed by random selection of samples. 80 nursing students studying in D Y Patil College of Nursing, Kolhapur were selected for the study. Reliability of the tool was tested by using Kuder Richardson formula method which was r= 0.71 study was conducted at D Y Patil College of Nursing, Kolhapur.

Result:The study revealed that out of 80 nursing students 45 had good knowledge (56.25%), while 28 students had average knowledge (35%) and 7 students had poor knowledge (8.75%).There was no any significant association between knowledge scores regarding warning signs of cancer and selected socio-demographic variables. such as Gender [ X 2 cal = 1.479, X 2 tab= 5.991] , Age in years [ Xcal=2.468, X 2 tab= 5.991], Religion [ X 2cal= 6.851, X 2tab= 9.488], Sources [X 2cal=13.659, X 2tab=15.507 ], Any of your known person suffering with cancer [ X 2cal=0.326, X 2tab=5.991]. The calculated Chi-square value was lesser than tabulated value at 0.05 level of significance for all the demographic variables. Hence there is no association between knowledge score regarding warning signs of cancer among nursing students with selected socio-demographic variables. Hence, H1 is rejected.

Interpretation and Conclusion:The study concludes that majority (56.25%) nursing students had good knowledge, while 35% nursing students had average knowledge and 8.75% nursing students had poor knowledgeregarding warning signs of cancer. There was no any significant association between knowledge score on warning signs of canceramong nursing students with their selected socio-demographic variables.