[Knowledge, conduct and attitude before the European Code against Cancer by health professionals of primary care].

OBJECTIVE

To decide if Primary Care (PC) professionals know the European Code against Cancer (CECC) and if this relates to practice the recommendations with themselves and with their patients.

DESIGN

descriptive, observational study.

SETTING

Spanish Health Centers.

PARTICIPANTS

Health professionals.

INTERVENTIONS

self-administered questionnaire.

MAIN MEASUREMENTS

cancer protective and risk factors, screening for colorectal, breast, cervix and prostate cancer, level of knowledge of the ECAC.

RESULTS

1734 participants (10.5%), mean age 47.4 years (SD: 8.6), 71.5% female. 50.0% do not know the CECC; tutors (OR=1.61), assigned to the PAPPS (OR=1.51) and who have been working in AP for more time (OR=2.62) are the ones who know it most. 7.2% smoke and 79.1% drink alcohol. 64.1% presented normal weight and 19% performed physical activity. They avoid exposing themselves to the sun 52.7% and use protectors 53.8%. 85.2% have never had a colorectal screening, 11% never had a cytology, and 12% had a mammogram. There is a relationship between knowing the CECC and smoking (P<.001), overweight/obesity (P=.024), physical activity (P=.003), meat intake (P<.001), mammography (P<.001), cytology (P=.022), PSA (P=.045), as well as the promotion of their advice among patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The CECC is unknown by half of the AP professionals. The practice of its recommendations is uneven, with the prevalence of low smoking, and sun protection a little extended behavior. Those who know him are the ones who most practice his recommendations.