Abstract:
The study investigated the knowledge, attitude and preventive measures of colorectal cancer among retirees in Enugu-North senatorial district, Enugu State. Nine specific objectives with their corresponding research questions guided the study. Six null hypotheses were postulated and tested at .05 level of significance. Literature relevant to the study were reviewed. The cross-sectional survey research design was utilized. The population for the study consisted of 1,596 retirees in Enugu-North senatorial district. The sample size was 320 respondents. The proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used in order to get the sample. The instrument used for data collection was the researcher designed questionnaire titled (KAPMCCQ) which was divided in four sections. Five experts validated the instrument. The reliability of the instrument was established using split-half method and Spearman Brown correlation formula was used to test the reliability of the instrument to obtain a reliability co-efficient of 0.81 which was deemed reliable for use in the study. Frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation were used for answering the research questions while Chi-square statistics and t-test statistics were used to test the null hypotheses at .05 level of significance. The findings of the study showed that more than half of the retirees (193 retirees) had no knowledge of colorectal cancer; out of 320 retirees 186 of them did not have knowledge on colorectal cancer. Based on 127 copies of the questionnaire duly filled were used for data analysis. indicated there is high knowledge of colorectal cancer among the retirees (65.41%); there was a positive attitude towards colorectal cancer (x ̅ = 2.89, SD = .37); Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the level of knowledge of colorectal cancer possessed by retirees in Enugu-North senatorial district Enugu State based on gender (x2 = 1.037, df = 1 , p value = .309; based on level on education (x2 = .448, df = 1, p-value = 503 < .05); based on location (x2 = 1.859, df = 1, p - value = .173). Additionally, there was no significant difference in the attitude towards colorectal cancer possessed by retirees in Enugu-North senatorial district, Enugu State based on gender (t = .373, p-value = .06669); based on level of education (t = . 633, p-value = .07993); based on level of education (t = . 499, p-value = .07006) and based on location (t = . 499, p-value = .07006). Based on the findings, it was recommended among retirees that health educators should give community awareness to retirees and organize a seminar for the community about risk of colorectal cancer diseases.
