Awareness of lung cancer risk factors and symptoms in Syria: an online cross-sectional study

Background Globally, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer fatalities and the second most frequent cancer. Population knowledge of the features of lung cancer is a crucial strategy for early diagnosis and decreasing the mortality rate of lung cancer patients. In this study, we aim to assess the Syrian population’s knowledge of lung cancer and its risk factors and to measure awareness of symptoms related to lung cancer. Methods This national cross-sectional study was conducted between October 12 to November 21, 2022, in Syria. We included Syrian people above 18 years from all Syrian governorates. The questionnaire consisted of three categories of questions: sociodemographic information, awareness of lung cancer symptoms, and awareness of lung cancer risk factors. Results Overall, 2251 participants were involved in this research; almost half of them (47.3%) were aged between 21-30 years, and 30.9% indicated they are smoking cigarettes. The overall mean score of knowledge regarding closed questions about risk factors of lung cancer was 4.29; however, the mean score of knowledge regarding open questions about symptoms of lung cancer was 1.52. About half of the study sample (51.3%) indicated that unexplained weight loss is a possible symptom of lung cancer. Our findings showed that cigarette smokers have a lower probability of having adequate knowledge toward lung cancer risk factors than a non-smoker (AOR=0.73, COR=0.68, P-value<0.05). We also defined that females have higher statistically significant odds (AOR=1.3, COR=1.38, P-value<0.05) for being knowledgeable about the symptoms of lung cancer compared to the male sample study. Conclusion According to our findings, there is inadequate knowledge toward lung cancer risk factors and moderate knowledge of lung cancer symptoms. Along with educational programs to raise public knowledge of the dangers of smoking and other LC risk factors, effective tobacco control policy execution is crucial.