ASSESSMENT OF ORAL CANCER AWARENESS AMONG DENTAL STUDENTS AND PATIENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/Keywords:
Alcohol, Knowledge, Leukoplakia, Lucknow, Tobacco, Ulceration.Abstract
Background: Oral cancer, ranked among the top three cancers in India, is associated with low survival and significant mortality rates. Early diagnosis makes the treatment more amenable, increases the chance of cure as well as the quality of life. Lack of awareness about oral cancer among medical professional and patients is the probable reason behind the delay in referrals and treatment. Hence, it is indispensable to assess and improve the awareness of oral cancer. To evaluate the oral cancer awareness among dental students and patients
Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional survey was conducted among patients (n = 50) with pre-malignant lesions of oral cancer and dental students (n = 50). Sociodemographic characteristics including clinical and behavioural characteristics of all the patients as well as age and gender of all the dental students were recorded. A 10-item close-ended questionnaire was used to gauge patients’ awareness and structured 5-item open-ended and close-ended questionnaires were distributed to dental students to assess their theoretical and practical knowledge. Data were analysed using Chi-square test, Mann – Whitney U test, Fischer test, and multivariate regression analysis.
