Home-Based Carersí General Cancer Knowledge: A Case Study Of One Rural Village In Vhembe District, South Africa

This paper assessed the general cancer knowledge amongst home-based carers of a selected rural 
village in Vhembe district, South Africa. The study adopted a qualitative descriptive design collecting data fromeight members of a selected home based care group between 30 to 45 years who were conveniently recruited and 
interviewed using unstructured interview guide. Permission to enter the village was obtained from the local chief. 
Informed consent was obtained from individual participants. Participants’ rights to anonymity and privacy were 
observed. Data was analysed through content analysis. The results revealed that though the majority of participants 
knew the importance of screening for cancer, their cancer knowledge was inadequate. This paper concluded that 
home-based carers of the selected rural village possess inadequate general knowledge of cancer; and recommendedthat nationally collaborated projects regarding cancer training be intensified amongst rural home based care workers.
KEYWORDS Cancer. Knowledge. Home-based Carer. Rural. Village