Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide with an overall survival rate less than 15% and poor prognosis due to delay in clinical manifestations. However, it is probably one of the most behaviour-controlled diseases in the world with an obvious environmental etiology and therefore the potential for risk reduction. Hence, this study assessed the perception of secondary school students, selected from two schools in Ibadan North Local Government Area towards vulnerability to lung cancer and its associated risk factors. A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted and through simple random sampling, a total number of 265 male students were recruited into the study. Data were collected using a selfstructured questionnaire with a Cronbach Alpha of 0.85 Analysis was done with the aid of SPSS, using descriptive statistic and Chi-square test at p <0.05. The study revealed that the age range was 12 to 24 years, and a mean age of 15.87 ± 16 years. Further finding show that the level of knowledge about lung cancer is average (54%) and awareness of signs and symptoms is average (50%). The result also revealed that the perception about the risk factor of cancer is average (50%) and perception about the preventive strategies is high (67.8%). Also, a significant positive relationship was seen between knowledge of lung cancer and perception toward vulnerability among students [N= 263, r 0.524, p < 0.01]. There is need to further educate the youths on risk factors of lung cancer, symptoms, early detection and treatment in order to increase their perception towards vulnerability to lung cancer. This will reduce the mortality, late presentation with a subsequent improvement in prognosis and quality of life
- Beatrice | M. | Ohaeri | bmkohaeri@yahoo.co.uk | +234, Gift | O. | Nwachukwu | @ | +234
- Smoking, Youth, Risk Factors, Prognosis.
- PERCEPTION OF VULNERABILITY TO LUNG CANCER AMONG MALE STUDENTS IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IBADAN
