Magnitude and determinants of colorecto-anal cancer at the oncology unit of Dessie comprehensive specialized hospital, Dessie, Ethiopia

Abstract

Colorecto-anal cancer is extremely detrimental to global public health. It is the third most common cancer among women and first among men in Ethiopia, and the causes and incidence of it is not well understood. This study aimed to determine the magnitude of colorecto-anal cancer and its determinants among patients of an oncology unit at a major Ethiopian hospital. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 422 participants from the Dessie specialized comprehensive hospital. Data were collected by reviewing patient charts, conducting phone interviews, and pre-tested questionnaires. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used. A 95% confidence interval and a p-value of under 0.05 were used to determine statistical significance, and model fitness was checked by the Hosmer and Lemeshow test. The average age of the participants was 44.74 (15.67%) years, and 211 (51.7%) of them were female. The magnitude of colorecto-anal cancer in adults was 35.0% (95% CI, 30.5–39.5). It was associated with low physical activity [AOR = 3.52; 95% CI (1.66, 7.46)], age 55–64 [AOR = 4.48; 95% CI (1.84, 10.90)], age > 65 [AOR = 5.4; 95% CI: (2.48, 11.75)], family history of cancer [AOR= 2.00; 95% CI: (1.06, 3.77)], and obesity [AOR = 2.63; 95% CI (1.12, 6.17)]. The magnitude of colorecto-anal cancer among adults was high. Old age, inactivity, obesity, being overweight, and a family history of cancer were found to be significant. Regular exercise, calorie restriction, and earlier and more frequent cancer screenings are recommended.