Abstract:
Introduction: Cancer is among the leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa over the
last few years, putting a tremendous physical, emotional, and financial strain on individuals,
families, and health systems. Many health systems in sub-Saharan Africa are least prepared
to manage this burden, and a large number of individuals do not have access to quality
cancer-related information to prevent and manage cancer. Understanding the information
seeking behavior of individuals, especially university students who are more likely to seek
health information than other people, can be seen as an opportunity to provide resources to
improve lifestyle or prevent possible health-threatening behaviors of individuals.
Objective: This study aimed to assess cancer information seeking behavior (CISB) and its
associated factors among students in Debre Tabor University, Ethiopia.
Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among students at
Debre Tabor University from March 01 to March 30, 2019. A total of 844 students were selected
using a multistage stratified sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured and pretested
questionnaire by trained data collectors. Data entry and analyses were performed using Epi
info version 7.2 and SPSS version 20, respectively. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used
to explore the socio-demographic information and cancer information seeking behavior. Binary
logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with cancer information seeking.
Results: The proportion of cancer information seeking by students in the past 12 months
was 30.1%. Their preferred source of information about cancer was health-care providers
(48%) followed by the Internet (27.6%). Year of study, Internet access (AOR=6.07, 95% CI=
4.05, 9.10), health literacy level (AOR=1.8, 95% CI=1.21, 2.68), self-reported health condition
(AOR=1.85, 95% CI=1.25, 2.73), perceived susceptibility to cancer (AOR=2.48, 95%
CI=1.47, 4.2), and perceived severity of cancer (AOR=3.33, 95% CI=1.85, 6.0) were the
factors associated with cancer information seeking.
Conclusion: The proportion of cancer information seeking among university students was
low. Being 3rd- and 4th-year student, internet access, being healthy, adequate health literacy
level, concerning about cancer, and higher perceived severity of cancer were significantly
associated with cancer information seeking. Increase health literacy and awareness creation
about cancer for students will help to seek cancer information.
