Awareness of Lung Cancer and Associated Factors among Public Health Students at Kabul University of Medical Sciences, Afghanistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, imposing a significant burden on low- and middle-income countries, including Afghanistan. Contributing factors include aging populations, tobacco use, and other high-risk behaviors. We aimed to assess lung cancer awareness and associated factors among public health students at Kabul University of Medical Sciences.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 167 students between Oct and Dec 2024 using a multi-stage stratified sampling method. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics summarized demographics and awareness levels, and chi-square tests assessed associations between awareness and demographic variables, with a significance threshold of P<0.05.

Results: Out of 167 distributed questionnaires, 164 were completed (response rate 98.2%). Most participants (62.2%) were aged 21-24 yr. A majority (80.5%) demonstrated good awareness of lung cancer risk factors, with 98.2% identifying smoking and 76.2% identifying passive smoking as key risks. Awareness of occupational exposures (63.4%) and dietary risks (68.9%) was moderate. No statistically significant associations were observed between awareness and demographic variables such as age (P=0.439), year of study (P=0.415), or economic status (P=0.91).

Conclusion: While students exhibited high awareness of smoking-related risks, gaps remained in recognizing less-discussed risk factors and symptoms. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions to address knowledge gaps and promote preventive health behaviors among students.