Nutritional Related Knowledge of Cancer Prevention among Primary Health Care Physicians

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the cancer prevention-related nutrition knowledge of primary health care physicians towards nutrition and its relation to the development of cancer. Materials and methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted among family physicians in Riyadh, between November 2019 and April 2020. The participants in the current study were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included socio-economic data and data related to the association between nutrition and cancer. Results: The mean correct knowledge score for physicians is good but less than expected (26.5+5.8) 73.6%. Multiple regression revealed that age, position, and nationality to be significantly associated with knowledge of cancer prevention (P<0.05) among physicians. Conclusions: Primary care physicians have good knowledge about the relation between nutrition and cancer but not sufficient, they should have continuous nutrition educational training programs to ensure safe and sound nutritional advice to patients and for the public about the relation of nutrition and cancer.