[Knowledge, conduct and attitude before the European Code against Cancer by health professionals of primary care]

Aten Primaria. 2020 Feb;52(2):67-76. doi: 10.1016/j.aprim.2018.11.002. Epub 2019 Jan 7.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Objective: To decide if Primary Care (PC) professionals know the European Code against Cancer (CECC) and if this relates to practice the recommendations with themselves and with their patients.

Design: descriptive, observational study.

Setting: Spanish Health Centers.

Participants: Health professionals.

Interventions: self-administered questionnaire.

Main measurements: cancer protective and risk factors, screening for colorectal, breast, cervix and prostate cancer, level of knowledge of the ECAC.

Results: 1734 participants (10.5%), mean age 47.4 years (SD: 8.6), 71.5% female. 50.0% do not know the CECC; tutors (OR=1.61), assigned to the PAPPS (OR=1.51) and who have been working in AP for more time (OR=2.62) are the ones who know it most. 7.2% smoke and 79.1% drink alcohol. 64.1% presented normal weight and 19% performed physical activity. They avoid exposing themselves to the sun 52.7% and use protectors 53.8%. 85.2% have never had a colorectal screening, 11% never had a cytology, and 12% had a mammogram. There is a relationship between knowing the CECC and smoking (P<.001), overweight/obesity (P=.024), physical activity (P=.003), meat intake (P<.001), mammography (P<.001), cytology (P=.022), PSA (P=.045), as well as the promotion of their advice among patients.

Conclusions: The CECC is unknown by half of the AP professionals. The practice of its recommendations is uneven, with the prevalence of low smoking, and sun protection a little extended behavior. Those who know him are the ones who most practice his recommendations.

Objetivo: Determinar si los profesionales de atención primaria (AP) conocen el Código europeo contra el cáncer (CECC) y si ello se relaciona con que practiquen sus recomendaciones.

Diseño: Observacional descriptivo.

Emplazamiento: Centros de AP españoles.

Participantes: Profesionales de AP.

Intervenciones: Cuestionario autoadministrado.

Mediciones principales: Factores de riesgo y protectores del cáncer, pruebas de cribado y conocimiento del CECC.

Resultados: Respondieron 1.734 profesionales (10,5%), edad media de 48,5 años (DT: 9,2), el 71,5% mujeres. El 50,0% desconoce el CECC; los tutores (OR = 1,61), adscritos al PAPPS (OR = 1,51) y que llevan más tiempo trabajando en AP (OR = 2,62) son los que más lo conocen. El 7,2% fuma y el 79,1% bebe alcohol. El 64,1% presenta normopeso y el 19% realiza actividad física. Evita exponerse al sol el 52,7% y usa protectores el 53,8%. El 85,2% nunca se ha realizado un cribado colorrectal, el 11% nunca una citología y el 12% una mamografía. Existe relación entre conocer el CECC y el tabaquismo (p < 0,001), sobrepeso/obesidad (p = 0,024), actividad física (p = 0,003), ingesta de carnes (p < 0,001), mamografía (p < 0,001), citología (p = 0,022), PSA (p = 0,045), así como el fomento de sus consejos entre los pacientes.

Conclusiones: El CECC es desconocido por la mitad de los profesionales de AP. La práctica de sus recomendaciones es desigual, siendo la prevalencia de tabaquismo baja, y la protección solar una conducta poco extendida. Los que lo conocen son los que más practican sus recomendaciones.

Keywords: Atención primaria; Cancer prevention; Código Europeo contra el Cáncer; European Code Against Cancer; Health care professionals; Prevención del cáncer; Primary Care; Profesionales sanitarios.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Europe
  • Female
  • Guidelines as Topic
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Personnel / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Primary Health Care*
  • Self Report