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Cancer Awareness and Barriers to Seeking Medical Help Among Syrian Refugees in Jordan: a Baseline Study

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Abstract

Refugees in Jordan have an increased burden of cancer due to hard conditions and low income. An increase in awareness of the early signs of cancer could prompt early diagnosis. The current study aims to explore the level of cancer knowledge and barriers to seeking care among Syrian refugees in Jordan. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. Two hundred and forty-one Syrian refugees living in the north of Jordan completed the Cancer Awareness Measure. The mean age was 27.9 (SD 9.1) years, ranging from 18 to 47 years. More than half (56%) of the participants were female. Participants were able to recognize a low number of symptoms (mean 4.4, SD 2.3) and risk factors (4.7 (out of 11), SD 1.9). The most commonly reported barrier was having no medical insurance (83.4%). Refugees’ knowledge of symptoms and risk factors was generally unsatisfactory. Barriers to seeking medical care were prevalent. Much work is needed to overcome barriers and enhance knowledge that can hinder early diagnosis and treatment.

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Acknowledgments

This research project would not have been possible without the support of Al al-Bayt University, represented in the Deanship of Academic Research (Fund Decision Number: 502/2015). The authors wish to express their gratitude for this support and encouragement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Nursing, Al Al-Bayt University, P.O.Box 130040, Mafraq, 25113, Jordan

    Mohammad Al Qadire, Ma’en Aljezawi & Noha Al-Shdayfat

Authors
  1. Mohammad Al Qadire
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  2. Ma’en Aljezawi
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  3. Noha Al-Shdayfat
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Correspondence to Mohammad Al Qadire.

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Al Qadire, M., Aljezawi, M. & Al-Shdayfat, N. Cancer Awareness and Barriers to Seeking Medical Help Among Syrian Refugees in Jordan: a Baseline Study. J Canc Educ 34, 19–25 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-017-1260-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-017-1260-1

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