Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding nasopharyngeal carcinoma among young adults and students in southern China: a cross-sectional study

TL;DR

This study explores how much young adults and students in southern China know about nasopharyngeal cancer and how their knowledge affects their attitudes and behaviors.

Contribution

The study reveals a significant indirect effect of knowledge on practice through attitude in the context of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Findings

Participants showed low knowledge of NPC but positive attitudes and practices.

Knowledge significantly influences attitude, which in turn strongly influences practice.

Improving knowledge could enhance preventive behaviors through better attitudes.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) among young adults and students, a key subgroup of the general population, in Southern China.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted between February 6 and March 5, 2025, targeting individuals from the general population in southern China. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis was employed to examine the direct and indirect relationships among KAP dimensions.

A total of 664 valid questionnaires were obtained. Among the respondents, 421 (63.4%) were female, and 335 (50.5%) identified as students. The knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 7.99 ± 3.80 (possible range: 0–15), 34.45 ± 4.85 (possible range: 8–40), and 43.88 ± 7.30 (possible range: 10–50), respectively. SEM analysis demonstrated that knowledge had a significant direct effect on attitude (β = 0.329, P < 0.001), while attitude had a strong direct effect on practice (β = 0.866, P < 0.001). Although the direct effect of knowledge on practice was not statistically significant (β = 0.013, P = 0.641), an indirect effect of knowledge on practice through attitude was observed (β = 0.285, P < 0.001).

Young adults and students in Southern China exhibit low knowledge of NPC but demonstrates positive attitudes and practices. Future targeted health education interventions could enhance public knowledge, thereby further strengthening positive attitudes and promoting more effective preventive behaviors in clinical and community settings.

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