Predictors of Colorectal Cancer Screening among Average and High-Risk Saudis Population (Journal of Personalized medicine)

Abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening intention is one of the most important elements influencing the longstanding effectiveness of community-based CRC screening programs. The primary
purpose of this study is to generate and validate a predictive screening model that investigates
the influence of Saudis’ demographics, CRC knowledge, and beliefs on intention to undergo CRC
screening via fecal occult blood test (FOBT). Convenience sampling was used to recruit 600 average
and high-risk participants from multiple primary health care centers in three major Saudi provinces.
A valid and reliable self-administered online survey was used to collect data from March 2021 to
October 2021. The final modified screening prediction model explained 57.35% of the variance in
screening intention. Intention to screen was significantly influenced by seven factors in which the
perceived barriers factor (b = −0.55, p < 0.001) was the strongest predictor. Those who had lower
perceived barriers and greater levels of knowledge (b = 0.36, p < 0.001), health motivation (b = 0.35,
p < 0.001), perceived benefits of screening (b = 0.35, p < 0.001), severity (b = 0.29, p < 0.001), and susceptibility (b = 0.28, p < 0.001) were more likely to become involved in screening practices. Health care
practitioners and various media forms could benefit from the prediction model playing a significant
role in raising awareness, reducing perceived barriers, and enhancing Saudi screening rates