Health-Promoting Behaviours following Primary Treatment for Cancer: A Rural–Urban Comparison from a Cross-Sectional Study

Nelson, David, Mcgonagle, Ian, Jackson, Christine , Tsuro, Trish, Scott, Emily, Gussy, Mark and Kane, Ros (2023) Health-Promoting Behaviours following Primary Treatment for Cancer: A Rural–Urban Comparison from a Cross-Sectional Study. Current Oncology, 30 (2). pp. 1585-1597. ISSN 1718-7729

Full content URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol30020122

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Health-Promoting Behaviours following Primary Treatment for Cancer: A Rural–Urban Comparison from a Cross-Sectional Study
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Abstract

Aim: To compare health-promoting behaviours among rural and urban residents following primary treatment for cancer.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey collecting demographic variables and data pertaining to health-promoting behaviours, documented using the 52-item Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II) measure, which is categorised into six subscales: (1) health responsibility, (2) spiritual growth, (3) physical activity, (4) interpersonal relations, (5) nutrition, and (6) stress management. Residence was defined using the U.K. Office for National Statistics RUC 2011 Rural Urban Classifications. The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Decile was used to measure deprivation. Quantitative data were analysed using independent samples t-test and multiple linear regression. Qualitative data from open-ended questions were analysed thematically.
Results: In total, 227 participants with a range of cancer types completed the questionnaire. Fifty-three percent were residents in urban areas and forty-five percent in rural areas. Rural participants scored significantly higher on health responsibility (p = 0.001), nutrition (p = 0.001), spiritual growth (p = 0.004), and interpersonal relationships (p = 0.001), as well as on the overall HPLP-II (p = 0.001). When controlling for deprivation, age, marital status, and education, rural–urban residence was a significant predictor of exhibiting health-promoting behaviours. A central theme from the qualitative data was the concept of “moving on” from cancer following treatment, by making adjustments to physical, social, psychological, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing.
Conclusions: This research revealed, for the first time, differences in health-promoting behaviours among rural and urban U.K. populations who have completed primary cancer treatment. Rural residence can provide a positive environment for engaging with health-promoting behaviours following a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords:rural health, urban health, cancer survivorship, oncology, Health behaviours, Health promotion, living with cancer, rural-urban, United Kingdom
Subjects:B Subjects allied to Medicine > B990 Subjects Allied to Medicine not elsewhere classified
L Social studies > L510 Health & Welfare
A Medicine and Dentistry > A900 Others in Medicine and Dentistry
A Medicine and Dentistry > A990 Medicine and Dentistry not elsewhere classified
B Subjects allied to Medicine > B910 Environmental Health
B Subjects allied to Medicine > B700 Nursing
Divisions:College of Social Science > Lincoln International Institute for Rural Health
College of Social Science > School of Health & Social Care
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ID Code:53190
Deposited On:27 Jan 2023 12:15

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