Colorectal cancer awareness among university students in Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia: a multicountry cross-sectional study

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant health concern worldwide. Understanding awareness levels among university students can help in developing targeted educational interventions. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness toward CRC among university students. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2023 to February 2024. An online questionnaire was shared via social media platforms, targeting students aged 18 and above who had not been diagnosed with CRC. Convenience sampling was used, with a required sample size of 366 participants. Data were analyzed using Jamovi software.The study included university students residing in Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Out of 1031 participants, most were aged 18–21 years, female (71.3%), and medical students (80.7%). The median awareness score was 19 (interquartile range 14–24, range 0–33). While 46.3% had not heard of cancer screening tests, 61% believed CRC is preventable. Factors such as age, education level, nationality, and being a medical student significantly influenced awareness scores. Major information sources included social media (67.1%) and doctors/nurses (43.5%). Moderate awareness of CRC was observed among the university students included in this study, with important gaps in awareness of CRC screening practices. These findings should be interpreted with caution because of the convenience sampling approach and the predominance of medical students. Educational interventions delivered through universities, healthcare professionals, and social media may help improve CRC awareness and encourage early detection practices among university students.