Influencing factors of knowledge proficiency of general practitioners in rural China for esophageal cancer prevention and treatment: a cross-sectional study

Background: This study aims to investigate the knowledge of rural general practitioners (GPs) in esophageal cancer (EC) prevention and treatment in China and analyze relevant influencing factors, so as to improve the ability of rural GPs in EC prevention and treatment. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from November 5, 2021, to November 20, 2021. A self-designed questionnaire was used to conduct an online survey. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify the influencing factors of knowledge proficiency of GPs in rural China for EC prevention and treatment. Results: This study included 348 participants from 12 rural areas in Hebei Province. The mean accuracy rate on all question items was 42.3% +/- 10.67%. Sex (OR = 2.870, 95% CI: 1.519-5.423), educational level (OR = 3.256, 95% CI: 1.135-9.339), and comprehension of clinical practice guidelines for EC (OR = 4.305, 95% CI: 2.023-9.161) were significant predictors for GPs' knowledge proficiency of EC prevention and treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The study indicated that knowledge proficiency of rural GPs of EC prevention and control still awaits to be improved. Sex, educational level, and comprehension of clinical practice guidelines for EC were significant predictors for their proficiency.