Hmedat Ali, Amawi Haneen, Al-Taani Ghaith
Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan.
Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan.
PLoS One. 2025 Jul 28;20(7):e0327187. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0327187. eCollection 2025.
Early detection of cancer is essential in improving patients' clinical outcomes. As future first-line health providers, pharmacy students must possess strong knowledge and education regarding cancer risk factors, early signs and symptoms, and available screening methods. The current study aimed to assess knowledge among pharmacy students at various Jordanian universities concerning key cancer related topics. This study particularly assessed the students' knowledge and awareness of cancer signs and symptoms, associated risk factors, and possible screening methods.
This cross-sectional study was conducted from June to September 2024, using an online survey among pharmacy students from various Jordanian schools to assess their knowledge about cancer and its warning signs, risk factors and screening recommendations. The questionnaire was distributed electronically through student networks and in collaboration with pharmacy schools across Jordan. Participation was voluntary, and students were included based on their consent to participate. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Bivariate correlations were assessed using Spearman's rank correlation. Additionally, simple, multiple, and backward linear regression analyses were conducted to identify significant predictors of cancer knowledge.
More than 60% of pharmacy students considered cancer education adequate in their programs. However, around half reported insufficient knowledge about the management of cancer patients and safe handling of anticancer medicines. Few of respondents correctly identified warning signs of cancer, with the mean summated score of 6.1 out of the maximum possible 12. The mean summated score equaled 7.8 out of 14 maximum possible scores about cancer risk factors. Linear regression analyses showed that students without a personal history of cancer and those who believe it is important to have oral chemotherapy knowledge have increased knowledge about cancer related topics. Also, those interested in continuing education programs on oral chemotherapy have higher knowledge about cancer warning signs.
The results revealed gaps in practical cancer education and the knowledge in cancer risk factors and warning signs among pharmacy students. Thus, enhanced oncology education is essential to better prepare pharmacy students to contribute effectively to multidisciplinary cancer care teams.
癌症的早期检测对于改善患者的临床结局至关重要。作为未来的一线医疗服务提供者，药学专业学生必须具备有关癌症风险因素、早期体征和症状以及可用筛查方法的丰富知识和教育。本研究旨在评估约旦各大学药学专业学生对关键癌症相关主题的了解情况。本研究特别评估了学生对癌症体征和症状、相关风险因素以及可能的筛查方法的知识和认识。
本横断面研究于2024年6月至9月进行，通过对约旦各学校药学专业学生进行在线调查，以评估他们对癌症及其警示信号、风险因素和筛查建议的了解。问卷通过学生网络以电子方式分发，并与约旦各地的药学院合作。参与是自愿的，学生根据其参与同意书被纳入研究。使用社会科学统计软件包（SPSS）26版进行数据分析。使用Spearman等级相关性评估双变量相关性。此外，进行了简单、多元和向后线性回归分析，以确定癌症知识的重要预测因素。
超过60%的药学专业学生认为其课程中的癌症教育足够。然而，约一半的学生报告称对癌症患者管理和抗癌药物安全处理的知识不足。很少有受访者能正确识别癌症的警示信号，在满分12分的情况下，平均总分得分为6.1分。在关于癌症风险因素的满分14分中，平均总分得分为7.8分。线性回归分析表明，没有癌症个人病史的学生以及认为拥有口服化疗知识很重要的学生，对癌症相关主题的了解有所增加。此外，对口服化疗继续教育项目感兴趣的学生对癌症警示信号的了解更高。
结果显示药学专业学生在癌症实践教育以及癌症风险因素和警示信号知识方面存在差距。因此，加强肿瘤学教育对于更好地培养药学专业学生，使其能有效地为多学科癌症护理团队做出贡献至关重要。
