Higher prevalence of cancer-related risk factors, for example, tobacco use, obesity, poor diet, and physical inactivity, is observed in the U.S. Deep South and likely contributes to its increased cancer burden. While this region is largely rural, it is unknown whether cancer-related beliefs and lifestyle practices differ by rural–urban status or are more influenced by other factors. We contacted 5,633 Alabamians to complete a cross-sectional survey to discern cancer-related beliefs and lifestyle practices, and compared data from respondents residing in rural- versus urban-designated counties. Findings were summarized using descriptive statistics; rural–urban subgroups were compared using two-tailed, χ 2 and t tests. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to explore associations by rural–urban status and other sociodemographic factors. Surveys were completed by 671 rural- and 183 urban-county respondents (15.2% response rate). Overall, the prevalence for overweight and obesity (77.8%) and sugar-sweetened beverage intake (273–364 calories/day) was higher than national levels. Most respondents (58%) endorsed raising the state tobacco tax. Respondents from rural- versus urban-designated counties were significantly more likely to be racial/ethnic minority, have lower education, employment, income, food security, and internet access, and endorse fatalistic cancer-related beliefs (<0.05; although regression models suggested that cancer belief differences are more strongly associated with education than counties of residence). Lifestyle practices were similar among rural–urban subgroups. Few rural–urban differences in cancer-related beliefs and lifestyle practices were found among survey respondents, although the high overall prevalence of fatalistic health beliefs and suboptimal lifestyle behaviors suggests a need for statewide cancer prevention campaigns and policies, including increased tobacco taxation. Prevention Relevance: Cancer incidence and mortality are higher in the U.S. Deep South, likely due to increased tobacco-use, obesity, poor diet, and physical inactivity. This study explores whether cancer-related beliefs and lifestyle practices differ by rural-urban status or other sociodemographic factors in a random sample of 855 residents across Alabama.

中文翻译：

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阿拉巴马州农村与城市县居民的癌症相关信念和预防性健康实践

在美国深南地区观察到癌症相关风险因素的患病率较高，例如吸烟、肥胖、不良饮食和缺乏身体活动，这可能导致其癌症负担增加。虽然该地区主要是农村地区，但尚不清楚与癌症相关的信仰和生活方式是否因城乡状况而异，或者更多地受其他因素的影响。我们联系了 5,633 名阿拉巴马人以完成一项横断面调查，以辨别与癌症相关的信仰和生活方式，并比较居住在农村和城市指定县的受访者的数据。使用描述性统计总结了调查结果；使用双尾 χ 2 和 t 检验比较农村 - 城市亚组。多变量逻辑回归模型用于探索城乡状况和其他社会人口因素之间的关联。调查由 671 名农村和 183 名城市县受访者完成（回复率为 15.2%）。总体而言，超重和肥胖 (77.8%) 和含糖饮料摄入量 (273–364 卡路里/天) 的患病率高于全国水平。大多数受访者（58%）赞成提高州烟草税。来自农村和城市指定县的受访者明显更有可能是少数族裔，教育、就业、收入、食品安全和互联网接入较低，并且支持宿命论的癌症相关信念（<0.05；尽管回归模型表明癌症信仰差异与教育的关系比与居住县的关系更密切）。城乡亚组的生活方式相似。尽管宿命论健康信念和次优生活方式行为的总体流行率很高，但这表明需要在全州范围内开展癌症预防运动和政策，包括增加烟草税。预防相关性：美国深南地区的癌症发病率和死亡率较高，这可能是由于烟草使用增加、肥胖、饮食不良和缺乏身体活动所致。本研究在阿拉巴马州 855 名居民的随机样本中探讨了癌症相关的信仰和生活方式是否因城乡地位或其他社会人口因素而不同。尽管宿命论的健康信念和次优生活方式行为的总体流行率很高，这表明需要在全州范围内开展癌症预防运动和政策，包括增加烟草税。预防相关性：美国深南地区的癌症发病率和死亡率较高，这可能是由于烟草使用增加、肥胖、饮食不良和缺乏身体活动所致。本研究在阿拉巴马州 855 名居民的随机样本中探讨了癌症相关的信仰和生活方式是否因城乡地位或其他社会人口因素而不同。尽管宿命论的健康信念和次优生活方式行为的总体流行率很高，这表明需要在全州范围内开展癌症预防运动和政策，包括增加烟草税。预防相关性：美国深南地区的癌症发病率和死亡率较高，这可能是由于烟草使用增加、肥胖、饮食不良和缺乏身体活动所致。本研究在阿拉巴马州 855 名居民的随机样本中探讨了癌症相关的信仰和生活方式是否因城乡地位或其他社会人口因素而不同。