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Kennis van kankersymptomen en de rol van psychosociale factoren bij tijdig medisch hulpzoekgedrag

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Tijdschrift voor gezondheidswetenschappen Aims and scope

Doel: In de huidige studie werd onderzoek gedaan naar de kennis van kankersymptomen, de adequaatheid van medisch hulpzoekgedrag en de psychosociale voorspellers van dit gedrag onder Nederlandse 55-plussers.Methode: Deze longitudinale studie werd uitgevoerd binnen een pretest-posttest design. Deelnemers (N= 493) werden per e-mail verzocht twee online vragenlijsten in te vullen. Kennis van kankersymptomen werd gemeten aan de hand van herinnering (recall) en herkenning (recognition). Verschillen tussen demografische groepen en voorspellers van medisch hulpzoekgedrag werden geanalyseerd.Resultaten: De herkenning van kankersymptomen was aanzienlijk hoger dan de herinnering. Vrouwen, samenwonenden, hoger opgeleiden en individuen met ervaring met kanker hadden de meeste kennis van kankersymptomen. Tijdig medisch hulpzoekgedrag was adequaat voor chronische symptomen, maar onvoldoende voor urgente symptomen. Weinig ervaring met kanker, weinig waargenomen nadelen en een hoge intentie aangaande medisch hulpzoekgedrag bleken het medisch hulpzoekgedrag significant te voorspellen. De invloed van herkenning van kankersymptomen werd gemedieerd door motivationele factoren, terwijl er geen causale relatie was tussen herinnering en tijdig medisch hulpzoekgedrag.Conclusie: Herkenning van kankersymptomen is een sterkere voorspeller van medisch hulpzoekgedrag dan herinnering. Aangezien de invloed van herkenning werd gemedieerd door motivationele factoren, is het aan te bevelen in toekomstige interventies zowel kennis als motivationele factoren te beïnvloeden. Toekomstige interventies moeten daarnaast worden gericht op minder bekende kankersymptomen en symptomen waarbij medisch hulpzoekgedrag veelvuldig wordt uitgesteld.

Abstract

Knowledge of cancer symptoms and the influence of psychosocial factors on timely medical help-seeking

Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the recall and recognition of cancer symptoms, timely medical helpseeking and its predictors amongst Dutch individuals aged 55 years and older.Method: The study had a longitudinal cohort pretest-posttest design. Respondents (N= 493) were asked by e-mail to fill out two online questionnaires. Knowledge of cancer symptoms was measured by means of recall and recognition. Differences between demographic groups and predictors of timely medical help-seeking were identified.Results: Recognition of cancer symptoms was considerably better than recall. Women, cohabitants, highly educated individuals, and those with cancer experience had the highest knowledge of cancer symptoms. Timely medical help-seeking for prolonged symptoms was sufficient in opposite to urgent symptoms. A low level of cancer experience, few perceived disadvantages, and a high intention towards medical help-seeking were significant predictors of timely medical help-seeking. The influence of recognition was mediated by motivational factors. No causal relationship was found between recall and medical help-seeking.Conclusion: Recognition is a stronger predictor of timely medical help-seeking than recall. Because the influence of recognition was mediated by motivational factors, future interventions should focus on influencing both knowledge and motivational factors. Future interventions should also address poorly known cancer symptoms and symptoms for which patient delay frequently occurs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vakgroep Gezondheidsbevordering, Maastricht University, 6200, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    M. Walthouwer, C. Hoving, E. Janssen, D. van Kann, H. de Vries &  L. van Osch

  2. CAPHRI - School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    M. Walthouwer, C. Hoving, E. Janssen, D. van Kann, H. de Vries &  L. van Osch

  3. Vakgroep Gezondheidsbevordering, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    M. Olberding

  4. Afdeling Programma Preventie en Patiëntenondersteuning, KWF Kankerbestrijding, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    M. op de Coul

  5. CAPHRI - School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    L. Lechner

  6. Faculteit Psychologie, Open Universiteit Nederland, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    L. Lechner

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  1. M. Walthouwer
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  2. C. Hoving
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  8. M. op de Coul
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  9. L. Lechner
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Walthouwer, M., Hoving, C., Janssen, E. et al. Kennis van kankersymptomen en de rol van psychosociale factoren bij tijdig medisch hulpzoekgedrag. Tijds. gezondheids.wetenschappen 90, 36–44 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12508-012-0023-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12508-012-0023-y

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