Abstract
This study aimed to assess the level of the public awareness and knowledge about early signs, symptoms and risk factors of oral cancer among dental patients visiting Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Dental Clinic in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. And second, to correlate the awareness and knowledge levels according to age, gender, ethnicity, education levels and marital status.
Methods: This study used dental patients presenting for routine scheduled appointments at the NSU Dental Clinic (Davie Campus). The data collection was from April through July 2015 and participation was confidential. Inclusion criteria were: patients 18 years and above, consent for questionnaire/survey participation, and ability to read English. Pregnant women and adult patients as a guardian, were excluded. A self-administered modified questionnaire of 26 questions was used to assess awareness and knowledge about Oral Cancer and sociodemographic information. Data entry was done following survey completion. The results of the survey were coded and enter into a database for statistical analysis using crosstabs, and Chi-square test in Jump software.
Results: The number of patients in the study was 338, 50.3% were males and 49.7% females. The ages ranges from 18 to 70+, with the mean age 55.3 years. Of the respondents, 47.3% were white, 29.2% Hispanic and 17% African-American. The majority of the subjects had a College/University education 180 (55%). Participants marital status, 42.2% married, 30% single and 19.5% divorced. A total of 253 (76%) patients stated that they had heard of oral cancer. Family member (p=0.04) and TV advertisement (p=0.01) were statistically significant for where the patients heard about the subject. Of the respondents, 48.8% did not knew anything about the disease; 45.2% knew a little, and only 6% considered that they know a lot. The risk factors linked with oral cancer identified by males were: smoking (n=118), smokeless tobacco (n=81), and family history (n=68). Females identified smoking (n=116), followed by family history of oral cancer (n=82), and smokeless tobacco (n=52). The early signs of oral cancer identified were sore and bleeding lesions (n=123), ulcer (n=116), and no idea / don’t know (n=115) respectively.
Conclusions: Based on this information for this Cohort there is a significant lack of awareness and knowledge about signs, symptoms and risk factors of oral cancer in the general population.
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