Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding whole-course management among patients with gastrointestinal cancers: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding whole-course management among patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled patients with GI cancers at the Inner Mongolia Hospital of Peking University Cancer Hospital between November 2023 and April 2024. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire, which captured demographic information and scores on KAP. Results: A total of 408 participants were included in this study. The mean KAP scores were 10.62 ± 3.14 (out of a maximum of 15), 39.11 ± 4.94 (out of a maximum of 50), and 31.35 ± 5.60 (out of a maximum of 40), respectively. Knowledge was positively correlated with attitudes (r = 0.307, P < 0.001) and practices (r = 0.417, P < 0.001), while attitudes were positively correlated with practices (r = 0.383, P < 0.001). The structural equation model indicated that knowledge influenced attitudes (β = 0.573, P < 0.001) and practices (β = 0.466, P < 0.001), while attitudes influenced practices (β = 0.525, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients with GI cancers demonstrated insufficient knowledge, moderate attitudes, and suboptimal practices regarding whole-course management. Improvements in practice could be achieved by enhancing knowledge and attitudes through specialized health education.