Perception of Rural Community about Risk Factors of Oral Cancers

Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study of adult inhabitants of Ayete community was done. Data on knowledge, attitude and practices related to risk factors associated with oral cancer was collected using structured interviewer administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included items on demographic characteristics, social habits and items testing knowledge of risk factors. Data was collated, results rated and subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS version 17. Tests of association was done using chi square.

Results: A total of 310 inhabitants of Ayete participated in the study with age range of 18 to 69 years. There were twice as many females as males in the study population, which was predominantly Yoruba (96.8%). Regarding educational status; 27.7% had primary education, 48.4% secondary, 13.2% post secondary education, while 10.6% did not have any. On a rating scale, poor knowledge of risk factors for oral cancer was scored as < 40%, fair as 40 – 60% and > 60% as good. About thirty-six percent had poor knowledge, 31% had fair and 32.9% had good knowledge. Men had better (fair or good) knowledge of the risk factors than women (66.0% vs. 60.6%, p < 0.05). Those who had a tertiary level of education were more knowledgeable (71%) about the risk factors than those with secondary (64.7%) or primary (60.4%) level of education (p = 0.03).

Conclusion: The study showed a fair degree of knowledge of risk factors for oral cancers in a rural population of Nigeria. The degree of awareness was greater in males and those with higher educational qualifications.