Volume 15, Issue 5

The Influence of Financial Status on Cancer Awareness, Risk Perception, Stigma, and Health Behaviors among Tertiary Students in Punjab

Author

Eric Kwasi Elliason & Kulvir Singh

Abstract

Background: Socioeconomic differences shape cancer-related knowledge and behaviors; however, their influence is often complex and non-linear. This study examined the relationship between financial status and cancer awareness, risk perception, stigma, and health-promoting behaviors among tertiary students in Punjab, India.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 601 students. Financial status was classified using income categories derived from the revised Kuppuswamy scale. One-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni post-hoc tests was used to assess differences across groups.

Results: Significant differences were observed across the financial groups in terms of cancer awareness (F = 19.700, p < .001), risk perception (F = 4.106, p = .007), stigma (F = 6.916, p < .001), and health-promoting behaviors (F = 21.128, p < .001). Awareness and health behaviors were lowest in the low-income group (M = 125.58; M = 83.85) and highest in the middle-income group (M = 144.93; M = 121.00). Stigma was higher in the middle (M = 92.34) and high-income groups (M = 93.93), while risk perception did not increase consistently with income.

Conclusion: Financial status is nonlinearly associated with cancer-related outcomes. While higher income is linked to improved awareness and behaviors, it does not reduce stigma or uniformly increase perceived risks. Interventions should address both structural inequalities and psychosocial barriers across socioeconomic groups.

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DOI

https://doi.org/10.62226/ijarst20262667

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