Epidemiological Study of Risk Factors for Lung Cancer in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Noluthando P Mbeje; Themba Ginindza; Nkosana Jafta

doi:10.3390/ijerph19116752

Epidemiological Study of Risk Factors for Lung Cancer in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 May 31;19(11):6752. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19116752.

Authors

Noluthando P Mbeje^{1

2}, Themba Ginindza^{1

2}, Nkosana Jafta^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Cancer and Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Research Unit, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa.
² Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa.
³ Discipline of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa.

Abstract

The high incidence cancer rates are due to factors such as behavior, occupational exposures, genetics, environmental pollution and infections. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with lung cancer among patients seen in the public health facilities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In this case-control study, 75 cases and 159 controls were interviewed using a structured close-ended questionnaire. Logistic regression showed a positive association between lung cancer and tobacco smoking (OR = 2.86, 95% CI: 1.21-6.77) and exposure to passive smoke (OR = 3.28, 95% CI: 1.48-7.30). When adjusted for other covariates, tobacco smoking and passive smoke were still positively associated with increased risk of lung cancer. Alcohol consumption (aORs ranging from 2.79 to 3.35) and history of lung disease (aORs ranging from 9.91 to 12.1) were statistically significantly associated with lung cancer. Our study suggests that tobacco smoke exposure is the major cause of lung cancer, and increased exposure to occupational and environmental carcinogenic substances, alcohol consumption and history of lung disease increase the risk of lung cancer. Based on our findings, policy development and planning of prevention strategies incorporating smoking legislations, occupational health and safety are essential in South Africa.

Keywords: KwaZulu-Natal; carcinogens; case-control; lung cancer; risk factors.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Case-Control Studies
Humans
Lung Neoplasms* / chemically induced
Lung Neoplasms* / etiology
Occupational Exposure* / adverse effects
Risk Factors
South Africa / epidemiology
Tobacco Smoke Pollution* / adverse effects

Substances

Tobacco Smoke Pollution

Grants and funding

The study was funded by the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation (Grant #1011) under the Multinational Lung Cancer Control Program (MLCCP). The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish.