Skin cancer knowledge and attitudes in the region of Fez, Morocco: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundThe prevalence of skin cancers is constantly increasing in Morocco, and they have gradually become more aggressive due to a significant delay in the diagnosis. Our aim was to assess the levels of awareness and the influencing factors related to skin cancer knowledge in Morocco.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out in Morocco through the medium of a validated questionnaire, which contained several items – demographics, skin cancer knowledge and attitudes towards skin cancer patients– during a period of 1 year (2014).ResultsOut of the 700 participants enrolled in the study, 17.9% had never heard of skin cancer, 32.5% had a low score of skin cancer knowledge, 66.7% had a moderate score, and only 0.85% had a high score of skin cancer knowledge. Further, 15.1% of the participants were under the assumption that this cancer is contagious. The sun was the most incriminated risk factor in skin cancer occurrence by 74.3% of the participants, and 57.9% of them believed that prevention is important through using various means of photoprotection. After univariate and multivariate analysis, the influencing factors related to the skin cancer knowledge in Morocco were: the socioeconomic status (P = 0.003, OR = 7. 3) and the educational level (p < 0.001, OR = 20. 9).ConclusionsDue to the lack of knowledge or the underestimation of skin cancer in our study population, efforts are needed to promote skin cancer surveillance behaviors in Morocco.

Primary prevention of keratinocyte carcinoma among outdoor workers, the general population and medical professionals: a systematic review updated for 2019

“…21 However, there is huge variety across all studies in terms of gender and age, [96][97][98] geographical regions 99 and political systems which has to be taken in account. 9,34,43,57 With respect to the KC, the aggregated results suggest that the high-risk group of outdoor workers need sun-safety policies more than ever. Despite existing recommendations and Figure 2 Percentages of outdoor workers who stated that they apply sunscreen among the 24 identified studies which assessed outdoor workers' sunscreen use.…”

“…However, there is huge variety across all studies in terms of gender and age, geographical regions and political systems which has to be taken in account …”

“…31,32 However, an Indian population had low knowledge about the range of benefits obtained by the use of sunscreen. 33 Moreover, Kelati et al 34 found that 18% of a sample of Moroccans with different educational and socioeconomic levels had never heard of KC and 33% had little knowledge of skin cancer.…”

“…[48][49][50][51][52][53]55,73 Sun-protective clothing Between 11% and 64% of the general population wore or intended to wear sun-protective clothing. [28][29][30]34,40,57,59,61,62,74 Percentages of outdoor workers who wore UV protection clothing varied between 7% and 89%. 36,38,40,43,66,67,69,71,72,76 About 9-86% wore long-sleeved shirts and 44-98% long trousers.…”

Interest in Skin Cancer in Urban Populations: A Retrospective Analysis of Google Search Terms in Nine Large German Cities

“…One way to investigate reasons for not using skin cancer prevention measures is to focus on the interest in skin cancer among the general population (28). As the Internet is a commonly used source of health information, search engine analysis represents a novel tool for investigating the general interest in various topics (16,(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33). In Germany, approximately 90% of inhabitants use the Internet (34).…”