Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening Literacy and Facilitators Related to a Free Screening Program in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate CRC screening literacy and to determine the association between demographic characteristics and levels of CRC screening literacy and facilitators motivating participation.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was carried out with 1,272 Thai citizens aged 50-70 years consenting to complete the screening protocol. Data were collected at the final visit by a self-reported questionnaire which was developed and validated using I-CVI=1. Difficulty of CRC screening knowledge dimension was tested by KR20, Cronbach's alpha 0.49.

RESULTS

The majority of participants, 834 (65.6%) had sufficient CRC screening literacy and association between characteristics and levels of CRC screening literacy was not different. Comparing between characteristics and facilitators showed significant differences in trusting healthcare providers, perceiving harmless procedures, having constipation and time available. By married and own income participants exhibited lower trust in healthcare providers, 68% (OR 0.32, 95%CI 0.14 - 0.73) and 59% (OR 0.41, 95%CI 0.19 - 0.95), respectively. Married individuals perceived the procedures of screening involved higher harm, 32% (OR 0.68, 95%CI 0.45 - 0.99). Female and age over 60 with constipation constituted higher screening, 1.9 fold (OR 1.93, 95%CI 1.44 - 2.60) and 1.4 fold (OR 1.44, 95%CI 1.09 - 1.90). Though time available, age over 60 was lower screening 56% (OR 0.44, 95%CI 0.24 - 0.80), while own income and income more than 30,000 THB/month participants constituted higher screening 15 fold (OR 15.14, 95%CI 4.72 - 48.56) and 2.5 fold (OR 2.50, 95%CI 1.50 - 4.18), respectively.

CONCLUSION

CRC screening literacy of participants was high. The association between characteristics and CRC screening literacy levels did not differ while characteristics and facilitators differed in some aspects. The free program promoted CRC screening equity; however, multilevel facilitators must be concerned, prioritized and intervened to motivate participation.