# Assessment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Awareness and Understanding Among Health Science Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study assesses health science students' awareness of hepatocellular carcinoma and finds that while many know about it, their understanding of screening and prevention is limited.

## Contribution

The study identifies gaps in HCC awareness among health science students and highlights the need for educational interventions.

## Key findings

- 61% of health science students had good knowledge of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
- Only 55.20% were familiar with HCC, but awareness of screening and prevention was limited.
- Age, sex, and academic year were significantly associated with HCC awareness.

## Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prominent contributor to global cancer-related mortality and is characterized by unfavorable prognosis despite regional discrepancies in its occurrence. Understanding and awareness of HCC among health science students are crucial for early detection and enhanced patient outcomes. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated awareness of HCC among health science students at Jazan University and identified areas that require further education. The study included health science students enrolled in various academic programs at Jazan University. A structured online questionnaire was used to collect demographic information and assess knowledge related to HCC. The sample size was determined based on prevalence estimates, and statistical analyses were performed using the R software (version 4.3.1). Results: The study found that 61% of the health science students had good knowledge of HCC. Of the 411 participants, most were young (≤24 years), single, and enrolled in allied and health sciences programs. Although 55.20% were familiar with HCC, their awareness of screening methods and preventive measures was limited. Hepatitis B vaccination has been recognized as an effective preventive measure. A logistic regression analysis revealed significant associations between age, sex, academic year, and awareness of HCC, with 1.91-, 1.94-, and 2.83-times higher odds ratios, respectively. Conclusions: This study underscores the need for targeted educational interventions and public awareness campaigns to improve understanding, early detection, and prevention of HCC among health science students.