Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Towards Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Screening Among the Population in the Madina Region

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health concern. Screening programs play a crucial role in its prevention. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in health-seeking behavior and access to healthcare services may have influenced public awareness and adherence to CRC screening programs. Objective Our objective was to assess the level of knowledge and awareness regarding CRC prevention and screening among the population in Madinah, evaluate attitudes and practices related to CRC screening and identify barriers to adherence. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the city of Madinah in Saudi Arabia and included 799 individuals aged 18 and above. The participants were randomly selected through a web-based questionnaire to obtain socio-demographic data, to assess the level of knowledge regarding risk factors and symptoms of CRC, and to evaluate the attitude and barriers to CRC screening among the population. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests, including chi-square tests for associations between categorical variables. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The mean age of the participants was 28.5 ± 11.5 years, with the significant majority (86.1%) under the age of 45. Females constituted 77% while 67.3% of the study population achieved university-level education and only 3.9% reported a family history of CRC. Only 21% of the participants demonstrated good knowledge of CRC and its prevention methods, while the majority (57.8%) had poor knowledge. Variables such as being male, having university-level education, divorced, retired/unemployed or residents of outside Madinah were associated with poorer knowledge. Forty-two percent of the population got their knowledge about CRC from their friends, while only 10% received it through health care providers. Conclusion The study supports the need for further efforts to raise the awareness of society regarding CRC and its prevention and the necessity of applying clear health strategies and screening programs with collaboration of all health care facilities and providers within our health care system.