Patterns of Neoplasm Among the Tribal and Non-Tribal Communities in Wayanad District of Kerala, India: A Hospital Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The burden of neoplasms coupled with the inaccessibility to health services has always been a public health concern among the tribal population. The objective of the study was to determine the patterns of neoplasm and its associated factors among the tribal and non-tribal communities attending a primary care hospital in Wayanad, Kerala. Methodology: A record based cross-sectional study was conducted in a primary care hospital in Wayanad, Kerala. Data of patients who attended the hospital from January 2016 to December 2021 were collected from the procedure registry. The independent predictors of the community were identified using regression model (p value <0.05 was significant). Results: Among the 650 study participants, majority (85.3%) were females. The mean (±SD) age was 41.62 ± 15.26 years. Only 8.5% of the study participants had malignant lesions. Multivariable analysis revealed that the pre-malignant and malignant lesions were more among the tribals [AOR (95% CI) =3.31 (1.46-7.52)] with a female preponderance [AOR (95% CI) =1.99 (1.17-3.40)]. The other independent predictors of the community were neoplasms of gastrointestinal system [AOR (95% CI) =2.90 (1.04-8.04)] and age less than 20 years [AOR (95% CI) =2.42 (1.06-5.54)]. Conclusion: An increasing trend of malignancy and pre-malignancy is seen among the tribal communities

Cancer literacy and attitudes among school-going adolescents in a rural district of Tamil Nadu, India: A Cross-sectional study

Background: Cancer remains a leading cause of global mortality, with a substantial disease burden in India across all age groups. While prevention strategies have proven to be effective, adolescence offers a crucial window for establishing lifelong health behaviors and cancer awareness. This developmental period is vital for building health literacy and understanding cancer prevention as habits formed during these years often persist in adulthood. This study was conducted to assess the cancer literacy and attitudes among school-going adolescents in Perambalur district, Tamil Nadu, South India, as well as identifying their independent predictors of inadequate literacy and attitudes. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 764 school-going adolescents (grades 8–12) in four randomly selected schools in Perambalur district, Tamil Nadu. Data were collected using a pretested semistructured questionnaire administered through the interviewer method. The questionnaire assessed cancer-related knowledge (11 items, maximum score 33) and attitudes (9 items, maximum score 27) using a three-point Likert scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS v26, [IBM Corp. Released 2019. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp] employing descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, independent t-test, and one-way ANOVA and multivariable linear regression with P < 0.05 considered significant. Results: Among 764 participants (56.9% males), the mean age was 14.13 ± 1.20 years. The mean knowledge and attitude scores were 25.9 ± 2.76 and 21.04 ± 2.36, respectively. While 61.8% knew the correct definition of cancer and 67.7% believed early detectable cancer is curable, only 34.9% were aware of cancer-preventive vaccines. Female students showed higher knowledge scores (26.39 ± 2.50) compared to males (25.67 ± 2.90, P = 0.002). Parental education significantly influenced knowledge scores, with children of graduate/postgraduate parents showing higher scores (P < 0.001). Urban residents demonstrated higher knowledge scores (26.46 ± 2.94) than rural residents (25.67 ± 2.59, P = 0.04). Age positively correlated with attitude scores (r = 0.23, P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed male gender (B = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.32–1.09) and maternal graduate education (B = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.03–2.27) as statistically significant predictors of knowledge scores (Adjusted R² =62%), while age (B = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.28–0.56) predicted attitude scores (Adjusted R² =48%). Conclusion: While adolescents demonstrated moderate cancer literacy and positive attitudes, significant gaps exist in knowledge about preventive vaccines, risk factors, and common cancers. Educational interventions targeting these gaps, particularly focusing on sociodemographic disparities in cancer literacy, are essential for enhancing cancer prevention literacy among adolescents