Abstract
BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a health challenge and the second most common cancer worldwide. Increasing colorectal cancer literacy (CRCL) is one of the most effective factors in CRC prevention. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine and evaluate CRCL and its related factors in Torbat Heydarieh, northeastern Iran. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study was a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2021 in Torbat Heydarieh, a city in northeastern Iran, on 200 clients presenting to a comprehensive health service centers. In addition to collecting sociodemographic characteristics, participants were administered the Knowledge and Attitude Questionnaire and the Colorectal Cancer Literacy Questionnaire (CRCLQ). Data were analyzed with SPSS software version 25 using independent samples t-tests, one-way analysis, chi-square, and Pearson correlation coefficients. The statistical significance level was set at p < .05. The results showed that the mean age of the participants was 51.12 ± 8.45 years. The majority of participants (84%) stated that their friends and relatives had no history of CRC. Pearson correlation coefficient results showed a significant correlation between knowledge and attitude toward CRC (r = .15, p = .041). A significant correlation was also found between knowledge and CRCL (r = .4, p ≤ .001). CONCLUSION: We found low CRCL among clients of comprehensive health service centers. More targeted educational interventions are needed to promote CRCL among Iranian adults.