A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) Regarding role of Ayurveda in Cancer care Among the General Population Visiting a Tertiary Care Ayurvedic Hospital.

INTRODUCTION:

Cancer is a leading cause of illness and death across the globe and is increasingly recognised as a significant public health challenge in India. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that nearly 10 million people die from cancer each year, with a considerable number of these fatalities occurring in low- and middle-income nations. In India, the rise in cancer-related deaths is largely due to late-stage diagnoses, lack of awareness, and insufficient screening practices. To alleviate the cancer burden, early detection through enhanced awareness, positive health-seeking behaviours, and effective preventive measures is essential.

The Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) model serves as a fundamental framework for assessing public understanding and behaviours regarding health issues. KAP studies offer valuable insights into knowledge gaps, the impact of cultural beliefs on health attitudes, and the actual health behaviours adopted by various populations. This understanding is particularly vital concerning cancer, as stigma, misinformation, and fear often hinder timely diagnosis and treatment.

In India, a notable portion of the population relies on traditional healthcare systems, such as Ayurveda. However, data on cancer awareness and preventive practices among individuals utilising Ayurvedic services is limited. This group may hold unique beliefs and behaviours shaped by traditional medicine and cultural practices, which could influence their understanding and reaction to cancer-related information.

Additionally, there is a lack of standardised, culturally relevant tools to evaluate cancer-related KAP within these populations. It is essential to develop a validated questionnaire tailored to this context for accurate assessment and the creation of effective health education interventions. The objective of this study is to develop a structured questionnaire and use it to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cancer among the general population visiting a tertiary care Ayurvedic hospital. The results are anticipated to provide a basis for targeted awareness initiatives and integrative health strategies that aim to enhance cancer prevention and early detection.

 NEED OF THE STUDY:

•       Cancer in India is often diagnosed at late stages due to low awareness, stigma, and poor screening coverage.

•       To date, there is a lack of studies focusing on the general population visiting Ayurvedic hospitals, specifically concerning cancer and the role of Ayurveda in cancer care.

•       There is a need for a validated, culturally relevant KAP questionnaire tailored to the general population visiting a tertiary care Ayurvedic Hospital.

•       Findings will aid in designing targeted awareness programs, early detection strategies, and integrated cancer education within traditional medicine systems.

•       Patients attending Ayurvedic hospitals may rely on traditional beliefs and lack access to standard cancer education and screening programs.

•       Most of the literature exploring cancer screening attitude scales has been developed for assessing only the attitude of a specific group and toward cancer in a particular site, such as cervical cancer.

 Primary Objectives:

To assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding cancer among the general population visiting a tertiary care Ayurvedic hospital using a structured questionnaire.

Secondary Objectives:

i.         To develop and validate a culturally appropriate KAP questionnaire specific to cancer awareness in an Ayurvedic healthcare setting.

ii.         To explore misconceptions and traditional beliefs influencing cancer perception and health-seeking behaviour in the study population.

Methodology

This observational, cross-sectional study will be conducted offline for the KAP Component and onsite of the All India Institute of Ayurveda,Delhi.The target population comprises of Adults from the general population visiting the hospital (patients, attendants, or general visitors) with adequate understanding to respond to questions with sample size of 100 participants over a period of 1.5 years. The study’s endpoint is a comprehensive evaluation of level of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding cancer among the general population visiting a tertiary care Ayurvedic hospital using a structured questionnaire.