Awareness and Knowledge of Oral Cancer among University students in Malaysia

Al-Dubai, S.A.R. and Ganasegeran, K. and Alabsi, A.M. and Alshagga, M.A. and Ali, R.S. (2012) Awareness and Knowledge of Oral Cancer among University students in Malaysia. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 13 (1). pp. 165-168. ISSN 1513-7368, DOI https://doi.org/10.7314/apjcp.2012.13.1.165.

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Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of oral cancer and its associated factors among university students in Malaysia. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 200 university students in Malaysia. A self administered questionnaire was used to collect data. It included questions on socio-demographic data, awareness and knowledge of oral cancer. Results: Mean age of the respondents was 21.5+/-2.5 and the age ranged from 18 to 27 years. The majority of the respondents were aware of oral cancer (92.0) and recognized the followings as signs and symptoms of oral cancer: ulcer and oral bleeding (71.0), followed by swelling (61.5). A satisfactory knowledge was observed on the following risk factors; smoking (95.5), poor oral hygiene (90.5), family history (90.0), alcohol (84.5) and poor fitting dentures (83.0). However, unsatisfactory knowledge was observed about hot/spicy food (46.5), obesity (36.0), old age (31.5), dietary factor (29.0) and smokeless tobacco (25.5). Knowledge of oral cancer was associated significantly with age (p<0.01), year of study (p<0.01) and course of study (p<0.01). Conclusion: Instead of satisfactory awareness and knowledge of oral cancer and its clinical presentations, inadequate knowledge was observed about its risk factors. There is a need to introduce oral cancer education among university students.

Item Type: Article
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Additional Information: ISI Document Delivery No.: 942SL Times Cited: 0 Cited Reference Count: 22 Cited References: Atessa P, 2010, ARCH IRAN MED, V13, P543 Balaram P, 2002, INT J CANCER, V98, P440, DOI 10.1002/ijc.10200 BOYLE P, 1993, LANCET, V342, P1129, DOI 10.1016/0140-6736(93)92119-E Castellsague X, 2004, INT J CANCER, V108, P741, DOI 10.1002/ijc.11627 Farhat K, 2011, PAKISTAN ORAL DENT J, V31, P64 Ghani WMN, 2011, BMC PUBLIC HEALTH, V11, DOI 10.1186/1471-2458-11-82 Greenlee RT, 2001, CA-CANCER J CLIN, V51, P15 Hollows P, 2000, BRIT DENT J, V188, P262, DOI 10.1038/sj.bdj.4800449a Johnson N W, 1993, Community Dent Health, V10 Suppl 1, P13 Khalili J., 2008, Experimental Oncology, V30, P259 Lachlan MC, 2007, BMC MED EDUC, V7, P44 Malaysian National Cancer Registry (MNCR), 2003, CANC STAT McGurk M, 2005, BRIT J ORAL MAX SURG, V43, P281, DOI 10.1016/j.bjoms.2004.01.016 McLeod NMH, 2005, BRIT DENT J, V198, P681, DOI 10.1038/sj.bdj.4812381 Motallebnejad M M, 2009, East Mediterr Health J, V15, P1489 Patton LL, 2005, J AM DENT ASSOC, V136, P576 Pavia M, 2006, AM J CLIN NUTR, V83, P1126 Petersen PE, 2003, COMMUNITY DENT ORAL, V31, P3, DOI 10.1046/j..2003.com122.x Rhodus Nelson L, 2005, Dent Clin North Am, V49, P143, DOI 10.1016/j.cden.2004.07.003 SCHNETLER JFC, 1992, BRIT J ORAL MAX SURG, V30, P210, DOI 10.1016/0266-4356(92)90262-H Warnakulasuriya KAAS, 1999, BRIT DENT J, V187, P319, DOI 10.1038/sj.bdj.4800269a ZAIN RB, 2001, ANNAL DENT U MALAYA, V8, P50 Al Dubai, Sami Abdo Radman Ganasegeran, Kurubaran Alabsi, Aied M. Alshagga, Mustafa Ahmed Ali, Riyadh Saif Asian pacific organization cancer prevention Gyeonggi-do
Uncontrolled Keywords: Oral cancer university students awareness knowledge Malaysia diagnosis delays prevention
Subjects: R Medicine > RK Dentistry
Divisions: Faculty of Dentistry
Depositing User: Mr Ahmad Azwan Azman
Date Deposited: 11 Jan 2013 02:14
Last Modified: 18 Dec 2019 07:15
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/4356

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