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ASSESSMENT OF AWARENESS OF LUNG CANCER AND POSSIBLE
ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS AMONG NON-SMOKERS IN
USWETAKEIYAWA, SRI LANKA.
H Kasthuriarachchi 1, D de Silva 12, N Silva 2
1
International Institute of Health Sciences, Walisara, Sri Lanka
2
Ministry of Health, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Introduction
The suburban population in the Western province of Sri Lanka is increasingly
being exposed to cigarette smoke and environmental risk factors for lung
cancers. It is important to identify the extent of this exposure and the knowledge of
the public in this regard.
Objectives
To identify the prevalence of lung cancer and some selected risk factors among a
suburban population
Methodology
Participants comprised a convenience sample of 150 people aged 35-65 years
from a suburban area in Western Province of Sri Lanka. Data was collected
using an interviewer administered questionnaire and analysed using descriptive
statistics.
Results
Smoking prevalence was 37.3% in ages between 35-65yrs. Of these, 22%
smoke more than 5 cigarettes per day and 26% have smoked for more than 10
years. In addition, 11.3% of female participants and 40.2% of male participants
were passive smokers. Daily asbestos exposure occurred for 53.3% of the
participants. Of those who smoked 42.9% were exposed to asbestos.
Tuberculosis was present in 2% of the participants, clinical condition of asthma in
13.3% of participants and 19.6% of smokers had a history of asthma. Most
participants (54%) were aware that smoking causes lung cancer, however,
44.7% were not aware of the dangers of passive smoking. Of the participants
68% were aware that exposure to asbestos cause lung cancer and 58.7% were
not aware that the exposure to radiation causes lung cancer. Lack of awareness of
the link between a history of respiratory conditions and lung cancer was
65.3%.
Conclusion
Passive smoking, asbestos exposure and lack of awareness were the main risk
issues identified.
HNE Handover for Nurses and Midwives Vol. 8, No. 2 (2015) Special Issue