IADR Abstract Archives
Oral cancer general awareness: A survey in Tehran, Iran.
Objectives: Oral cancer is a life-threatening disease with low survival rates, especially when diagnosed in an advanced stage. The diagnostic delay might be due to a general lack of awareness about this cancer among the population. The aim of this study was to evaluate oral cancer general awareness and literacy, as well as the association of this with socio-demographic status in Tehran.
Methods: In this cross-sectional population-based survey, 1800 self-administered questionnaires (collecting socio-demographic data, questions regarding oral cancer general awareness and literacy and the source of information) were distributed through random sampling. Scores for questions ranged from 0 to 4, and totals were summed. The outcome of question responses was also analyzed separately.
Results: In total 1312 questionnaires were available for analysis, from 788 females and 489 males (37.8 ± 9.02 years). Only 30% of the respondents were aware of oral cancer. More than 30% had misconceptions about the non-communicable nature of the disease. Almost 85% of participants were not aware of the possibility of small oral lesions pre-cursing oral cancer. Almost 60% of the study population knew that early treatment of oral lesions could prevent them from developing into oral cancer. The average score for general awareness and literacy was 1.09 ± 1.6 with no significant differences between age groups and genders. Almost 6.5% of participants had complete general awareness and literacy about oral cancer. A significant difference was found between mean scores in different levels of education and occupation (p=0.0001). From 585 responses to the “source of information” question, “public media” was the most important source (almost 50%). Only 2% mentioned “dentists” as a source of information.
Conclusions: This study indicated an alarming lack of oral cancer awareness and literacy in Iran. Dentists should be obliged to practice their pivotal role in informing the public about oral cancer.
Methods: In this cross-sectional population-based survey, 1800 self-administered questionnaires (collecting socio-demographic data, questions regarding oral cancer general awareness and literacy and the source of information) were distributed through random sampling. Scores for questions ranged from 0 to 4, and totals were summed. The outcome of question responses was also analyzed separately.
Results: In total 1312 questionnaires were available for analysis, from 788 females and 489 males (37.8 ± 9.02 years). Only 30% of the respondents were aware of oral cancer. More than 30% had misconceptions about the non-communicable nature of the disease. Almost 85% of participants were not aware of the possibility of small oral lesions pre-cursing oral cancer. Almost 60% of the study population knew that early treatment of oral lesions could prevent them from developing into oral cancer. The average score for general awareness and literacy was 1.09 ± 1.6 with no significant differences between age groups and genders. Almost 6.5% of participants had complete general awareness and literacy about oral cancer. A significant difference was found between mean scores in different levels of education and occupation (p=0.0001). From 585 responses to the “source of information” question, “public media” was the most important source (almost 50%). Only 2% mentioned “dentists” as a source of information.
Conclusions: This study indicated an alarming lack of oral cancer awareness and literacy in Iran. Dentists should be obliged to practice their pivotal role in informing the public about oral cancer.