The Awareness And Knowledge On Oral Cancer And Its Relation Towards Smoking Habit In Industrial Training Institute, Kepala Batas
Loading...
Date
2017-06
Authors
Abdalla Musa, Reem Abdelgabar
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Background: Oral cancer is a worldwide health issue with increasing incidence annually as shown by a number of studies. In Malaysia, the prevalence of smoking and tobacco consuming is considerably high which unfortunately linked to fetal illness. Lack of oral cancer awareness and knowledge among the general population is well documented. Early detection and mouth self-examination play significant role in reducing morbidity and mortality. Our approach was to determine the level of awareness and knowledge regarding oral cancer among students with non-medical background in Industrial Training Institute in Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang.
Methodology: A cross sectional study by adopting questionnaires with 21 items were conducted among 275 students of Industrial Training Institute aged 18 years old and above. Data was analysed and calculated using T-test and ANOVA to measure the association of sociodemographic factors with oral cancer knowledge, while the association of smoking habit with oral cancer awareness and knowledge was evaluated using Chi square test.
Result: Oral cancer awareness level was high among the student (85%). However, there was general lack of knowledge regarding early signs of oral cancer, while smoking was observed as the most recognisable etiology of oral cancer (82%). The prevalence of tobacco consuming was relatively high (53.1%) and cigarettes was identified as the most tobacco used product. Only age and gender had significant relation with oral cancer knowledge among the sociodemographic factors. The smoker in this study had
slightly low awareness and knowledge regarding oral cancer compared to the non-smoker.
Conclusion: There was satisfactory level of awareness among the student and the knowledge regarding oral cancer risk factors and early signs of cancer was undeniably low. Through that we conclude the importance of attractive educational programmes to the younger generation about oral cancer which linked them to smoking habits, hence, encouraging them to attend the health educational programme in a regular basis.
Description
Keywords
Knowledge on oral cancer , and its relation towards smoking habit