Knowledge, attitude, practice, and perceived barriers of colorectal cancer screening among family physicians in Riyadh second health cluster
- 1Department of Family and Community Medicine, King Fahad Medical City (KFMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- 2Department of Family and Community Medicine, Majmaah University, Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Background:: One of the main causes of cancer-related death globally, colorectal cancer (CRC), is becoming more common in emerging nations. CRC morbidity and death are considerably decreased by effective screening. Family doctors are essential to the implementation of CRC screening.
Aim:: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP), and perceived barriers related to CRC screening among family physicians working in the Riyadh second health cluster.
Methods:: In 2025, board-certified family doctors in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh second health cluster participated in a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey. A validated self-administered computerized questionnaire covering demographics, KAP, and perceived barriers to CRC screening was used to gather data.
Results:: A total of 98 physicians participated. Most physicians demonstrated poor knowledge (82.7%) and poor screening practices (82.7%), despite generally positive attitudes toward CRC screening (56.1%). Formal training was significantly associated with better knowledge and attitudes. Patient-related barriers included fear of diagnosis and lack of awareness, while lack of time was the most prominent physician-related barrier. System-related barriers included long waiting times and a lack of patient education tools. Attitude was significantly associated with both knowledge and practice, and a strong positive correlation was observed between attitude and practice scores (r = 0.40, P < 0.001).
Conclusion:: Despite the fact that family doctors showed favorable sentiments regarding CRC screening, there are still significant knowledge and practice gaps. Implementing CRC screening may be improved by addressing time constraints, improving physician training, and bolstering system-level support.
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BibTeX
@article{alkthiry2026knowledge,
title = {{Knowledge, attitude, practice, and perceived barriers of colorectal cancer screening among family physicians in Riyadh second health cluster}},
author = {Abdulrahman Abdulaziz Alkthiry and Hassan Saleh Almohammadi and Khalid Saad Alhamlan and Abdulmalik Khaled Albadi and Abdalah Emad Almhmd},
journal = {Journal of family medicine and primary care},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_229_26},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13722262},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Knowledge, attitude, practice, and perceived barriers of colorectal cancer screening among family physicians in Riyadh second health cluster
AU - Abdulrahman Abdulaziz Alkthiry
AU - Hassan Saleh Almohammadi
AU - Khalid Saad Alhamlan
AU - Abdulmalik Khaled Albadi
AU - Abdalah Emad Almhmd
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Journal of family medicine and primary care
DO - 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_229_26
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13722262
AB - Background:: One of the main causes of cancer-related death globally, colorectal cancer (CRC), is becoming more common in emerging nations. CRC morbidity and death are considerably decreased by effective screening. Family doctors are essential to the implementation of CRC screening. Aim:: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP), and perceived barriers related to CRC screening among family physicians working in the Riyadh second health cluster. Methods:: In 2025, board-certified family doctors in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh second health cluster participated in a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey. A validated self-administered computerized questionnaire covering demographics, KAP, and perceived barriers to CRC screening was used to gather data. Results:: A total of 98 physicians participated. Most physicians demonstrated poor knowledge (82.7%) and poor screening practices (82.7%), despite generally positive attitudes toward CRC screening (56.1%). Formal training was significantly associated with better knowledge and attitudes. Patient-related barriers included fear of diagnosis and lack of awareness, while lack of time was the most prominent physician-related barrier. System-related barriers included long waiting times and a lack of patient education tools. Attitude was significantly associated with both knowledge and practice, and a strong positive correlation was observed between attitude and practice scores (r = 0.40, P < 0.001). Conclusion:: Despite the fact that family doctors showed favorable sentiments regarding CRC screening, there are still significant knowledge and practice gaps. Implementing CRC screening may be improved by addressing time constraints, improving physician training, and bolstering system-level support.
SN - 2249-4863
SN - 2278-7135
ER -