Knowledge of common cancers among new-entry health science students in Japan and Vietnam

Background The incidence and mortality rates of cancer are rapidly increasing worldwide. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of common cancers among new-entry health science students in Japan and Vietnam, thereby providing insights for implementing appropriate medical educational interventions....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMC medical education 2023-10, Vol.23 (1), p.1-724, Article 724
Main Authors: Vu, Nhu Thi Hanh, Tran, Tam Thao Tuyet, Quach, Duc Trong, Miyauchi, Shunsuke, Yoshida, Mahoko, Okamoto, Yuri, Lu, Dat Minh, Tran, Linh Le, Luu, Mai Ngoc, Hiyama, Toru
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Asian students
Breast cancer
Cancer
Colleges & universities
Colorectal cancer
Common cancer
Curricula
Drugstores
Endometrial cancer
Estrogen
Ethics
Gastric cancer
Health aspects
Health literacy
Health science students
Health Sciences
Human papillomavirus
Infections
Japan
Knowledge
Liver cancer
Lung cancer
Medical colleges
Medical education
Medical screening
Medical students
Medicine
Mortality
Nursing
Oncology, Experimental
Papillomavirus infections
Perceptions
Pharmacy
Questionnaires
Research Methodology
Risk factors
Science
Sciences education
Student Needs
Students
Surveys
Validity
Vietnam
Vietnamese People
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Summary:Background The incidence and mortality rates of cancer are rapidly increasing worldwide. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of common cancers among new-entry health science students in Japan and Vietnam, thereby providing insights for implementing appropriate medical educational interventions. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among new-entry health science students at Hiroshima University, Japan, and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A printed predesigned questionnaire consisting of eleven questions was distributed to the participants during the freshmen health screening at the beginning of the academic year to assess their knowledge of cancer. Results A total of 2,748 new-entry health science students participated in the study, including 394 (14.3%) Japanese students and 2,354 (85.7%) Vietnamese students. Most cancer knowledge levels in Japanese students were significantly higher than those in Vietnamese students (p < 0.001), except for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection awareness. For this understanding, only 14.8% of Japanese students selected the correct answer, which was significantly lower than the 22.4% of Vietnamese students (p = 0.001). Both the Japanese and Vietnamese students had limited knowledge regarding the connection between HPV infection and cancer and the link between estrogen-progestogen menopausal therapy and breast cancer. Additionally, female students had better knowledge about breast, skin, and endometrial cancers than male students. Conclusions Japanese students generally exhibited higher levels of cancer knowledge than Vietnamese students, except for HPV infection recognition. Both groups had limited knowledge regarding the connection between HPV infection and cancer and the relationship between estrogen-progestogen menopausal therapy and breast cancer. Keywords: Health science students, Knowledge, Common cancer
ISSN:1472-6920
1472-6920
DOI:10.1186/s12909-023-04674-7