Population Survey of Knowledge about Oral Cancer and Related Factors in the Capital of Iran

Abstract

Knowledge about oral cancer risk factors and signs is thought to improve prevention and early diagnosis, and in turn, increases survival. In this population-based survey, knowledge about oral cancer was assessed in Iran. A total of 1800 self-administered questionnaires (collecting sociodemographic data and questions regarding oral cancer risk factors and signs) were distributed through random sampling. Final scores ranged between 0 and 15 for the risk factors and 0-11 for the signs. Scores below the median indicated a low level of knowledge, scores representing the third quartile of correct answers indicated a moderate level of knowledge, and scores representing the upper quartile indicated a high level of knowledge. Statistical tests were used for analysis of knowledge level in different sociodemographic categories. A total of 1312 participants completed the questionnaires. The average of knowledge scores for risk factors was 5.3 ± 3.0 and for signs was 4.5 ± 2.9. Overall, 75 and 56% respectively were able to identify major risk factors (smoking and alcohol); 23.5% could not define any related signs and symptoms. Dividing scores into quartiles indicated that three out of four people had "low" knowledge about risk factors and 58% had "low" knowledge about signs and symptoms. Females and highly educated people had more knowledge of oral cancer. Significant difference was found between job and level of knowledge (P = 0.001). This survey revealed that public knowledge of oral cancer was not satisfactory in Iran. Efforts should be done to inform and educate people with risk factors, initial clinical presentation, and symptoms, in order to improve prevention and promote early diagnosis.

A Snapshot of Knowledge about Oral Cancer in Italy: A 505 Person Survey

“…In our and other studies [ 23 , 24 ], smoking is widely recognized as a risk factor compared with other potential risk factors, especially alcohol consumption. Further, about half of our respondents indicated alcohol as a risk factor, especially those who declared having acquaintances in medical or dental fields.…”

“…In the literature, some surveys from around the world [ 24 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ] have reported low levels of knowledge about the clinical features of OSCC. Interestingly, in our study, one third of participants believed that symptoms as burning or dry mouth were most indicative of oral cancer.…”

Does socioeconomic status influence oral cancer awareness? The role of public education

“…The questionnaire assessed the awareness and knowledge of risk factors and symptoms of oral cancer as well as socioeconomic status. It included demographic questions (sex, age), 4 yes/no questions about oral cancer awareness (heard about cancer, non-communicable nature, early diagnosis and treatment); 15 questions about knowledge of risk factors (tobacco, alcohol, sunlight, diet, genetics, age and human papilloma virus) and 11 questions about signs and symptoms (ulcers, red or white patches, swelling, difficulty swallowing, discomfort, change in voice and weight loss) (26). Oral cancer knowledge questions were closed-ended positive and negative questions with yes/no/do not know options (27,28).…”

“…Age was recorded in date of birth and was categorised into groups of [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45], and > 45 years.…”

“…This cross-sectional study is follow-up to an oral cancer knowledge study that was conducted in Tehran in 2016-2017 using self-administered questionnaires (26).…”