Exploration and evaluation of a new model of community popular science of lung cancer prevention and treatment

Objective To evaluate the influence of two models of popular science (popular film mode and expert lecture mode) on community residents' awareness rate of lung cancer prevention and treatment, as well as their feedback on different models. Methods A total of 10 communities from 5 different districts in Shanghai were selected, and they were randomly divided into two groups, expert lecture mode group and popular film mode group (five communities in each group). All the communities being included have similar population sizes and demographic structure, and have reached the same economic level as well. By principles of systematic sampling, a total of 500 residents were randomly selected from the 10 communities (50 residents each). During the process of research, participants were provided scientific knowledge education and asked to complete questionnaires. The content of questionnaires includes the basic information of participants, the prevention and treatment knowledge of lung cancer and feedbacks from residents on popular science activities. Results The overall awareness rate of knowledge about lung cancer among community residents is fairly low. After the scientific knowledge education, their general knowledge rate of lung cancer (the expert lecture mode group 67.3% vs. 76.0%, P<0.001; the popular film mode group 67.2% vs. 81.1%, P<0.001), their awareness rate of early lung cancer screening knowledge (the expert lecture mode group 48.5% vs. 70.0%, P<0.001; the popular film mode group 47.9% vs. 70.4%, P<0.001) and their understanding of lung cancer treatment(the expert lecture mode group 35.9% vs. 46.1%, P<0.001; the popular film mode group 37.2% vs. 70.7%, P<0.001) improved significantly. In a total of 15 knowledge points of lung cancer, it is clear to see that the awareness rates of 14 knowledge points increased obviously in popular film group (P<0.05), while expert lecture group only had 9 knowledge points enhanced remarkably (P<0.05). In terms of their knowledge understandability (P=0.001), artistry (P=0.002), convenience (P=0.003) and residents' intention of recommendation (P=0.002), popular film mode is significantly better than expert lecture mode, and the former is more popular with the community residents. Conclusion Both models of popular science can effectively enhance community residents' prevention and treatment knowledge of cancer. However, popular film mode works better compared with expert lecture mode, which is more likely to be accepted by residents and worth further research and promotion.