Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42095601›Full record

ArticleThe oncologist2026

Knowledge and awareness of colorectal cancer in central Uganda: a community cross-sectional survey.

Nicholas Matovu, Helen G Coleman, Gerald Mutungi, Michael Donnelly, Brian T Johnston, Maurice B Loughrey, Alfred Jatho, Charlene M McShane

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in The oncologist, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Nicholas MatovuCentre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Royal Victoria Hospital site, Belfast, BT12 6BA, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0003-4756-288X
Helen G ColemanCentre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Royal Victoria Hospital site, Belfast, BT12 6BA, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0003-4872-7877
Gerald MutungiDepartment of Non-communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda.
Michael DonnellyCentre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Royal Victoria Hospital site, Belfast, BT12 6BA, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0001-8380-7413
Brian T JohnstonDeartment of Gastroenterology, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, BT12 6BA, United Kingdom.
Maurice B LoughreyCentre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Royal Victoria Hospital site, Belfast, BT12 6BA, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0001-8424-1765
Alfred JathoDepartment of Community Cancer Services, Uganda Cancer Institute, Upper Mulago Hill Road, Kampala, Uganda.ORCID 0000-0001-5733-2573
Charlene M McShaneCentre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Royal Victoria Hospital site, Belfast, BT12 6BA, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0001-8609-0788

Funding

British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) International Grant (2020)Queen's University Belfast issued International PhD studentship
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundImproving public knowledge and awareness of cancer aids prevention and early detection, yet limited data exist on this subject in low- and middle-income African countries. This study aimed to assess knowledge and awareness of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the general population of central Uganda.

methodsA community-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted among a random sample of 428 individuals from the general population in 2 districts of central Uganda. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and a modified version of the validated bowel cancer awareness measure. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with CRC awareness.

resultsJust over half of respondents had good awareness of CRC warning signs (57.9%, ≥ 6/9 correct responses), and risk factors (55.8%, ≥ 7/10 correct responses). Participants scored higher for awareness (responses to prompted questions), than knowledge (responses to unprompted questions) in relation to CRC warning signs (mean: 5.60 vs 0.46, out of 9) and risk factors (mean: 6.46 vs 0.22, out of 10). Residing in an urban area, lacking awareness of screenable cancers and not having private health insurance were associated with lower awareness of CRC warning signs. Being female and having non-degree tertiary education were associated with lower awareness of CRC risk factors.

conclusionThis study found very low CRC knowledge in central Uganda, despite good recognition of warning signs and risk factors, with notable rural-urban disparities. These findings highlight the need of reinforcing CRC prevention messages within ongoing cancer sensitization efforts to improve public understanding of CRC.

Indexed as

Colorectal NeoplasmsHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeAdultAgedCross-Sectional StudiesEarly Detection of CancerFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRisk FactorsSurveys and QuestionnairesUgandaawarenesscancer preventioncolorectal cancerknowledgerisk factorsUganda

Identifiers

PMID42095601
PMCPMC13202461

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LicenceCC BY-NC
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.