Exploring the Correlation Between Ethnicity and Health- Seeking Behavior for Colorectal Cancer in East Java, Indonesia: A Case Study of Arek, Mataraman, and Pendalungan Ethnic Groups

OBJECTIVE: The rising incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in East Java has highlighted the need to investigate inter-ethnic causality. Previous studies have examined the relationship between ethnicity and health behavior in relation to CRC in East Java Province, but it is important to explore health-seeking behavior among CRC patients within the Arek, Mataraman, and Pendalungan ethnic groups, as these groups may have different behavioral patterns due to limited literacy. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 230 respondents, with 86 from Arek, 72 from Mataraman, and 72 from Pendalungan. Data were collected from August 1 to October 30, 2022,, and analyzed using structural equation modeling with SmartPLS application analysis. RESULT: The P-values for the direct path between culture and health-seeking behavior was 0.009, indicating a statistically significant relationship. Similarly, the P-Values for the direct path between self-health awareness and health seeking behavior is 0.000, indicating a very strong and statistically significant relationship. P-Values for the direct path between health accessibility and health seeking behavior was 0.257, suggesting that the relationship was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Cultural values and self-health awareness are suggested as important predictors of health-seeking behavior among CRC patients in East Java.. The study highlights the need for tailored healthcare services for different ethnic groups. Overall, these findings can help healthcare providers in addressing the specific needs of CRC patients in East Java.