A cross sectional descriptive study on oral cancer awareness among patients that visited department of dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery unit at Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital , Addis Ababa University
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Date
2023-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Oral cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in a part of the mouth. It may be on
the surface of the tongue, the inside of the cheeks, the roof of the mouth (palate), floor of mouth,
the lips or gums. It is a preventable disease. Its occurrence is mostly due to lifestyle.
Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of oral cancer may well aid in early diagnosis and
treatment. This is bound to increase in survival rate.
Objectives: To assess the awareness of Oral cancer among patients that visited department of
Dentistry and maxillofacial surgery at Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia.
Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study; interviewer-administered questionnaire was
conducted amongst 221 adult patients attending the Tikur Anbesa Hospital during June, 2023. A
29-item questioner which has 3 sections: demographics, knowledge of risk factors and
knowledge of sign & symptoms of oral cancer were used during data collection.
Time frame: The study was conducted from June 1 up to June 30, 2023
Result: A total of 221 patients visited the department during the study period. The female to
male ratio was 1.51:1 & the mean age of patients was 37.09 years with standard deviation
±13.77. Majority of the participants (86.4%, N=191) were urban & 57.9% (N=128) of the
participants were employed. About 52.0% (N=115) of the participants had a basic education or
have accomplished primary & secondary level of school. The majority of the participants 65.2%
(N=144) didn‟t have any habit of substance use & 75.1% (N=166) of the participants did not
hear of oral cancer prior to this research. A total of 45.2% (N=100) of the participants
demonstrated good knowledge of signs & symptoms of oral cancer whereas a total of 44.3%
(N=98) of the participants demonstrated good knowledge of risk factors of oral cancer.
Conclusion: This research demonstrated a lack of public awareness & knowledge about oral
cancer. Different measures should be taken to improve public awareness of oral cancer. Dentists
and health workers should do more in educating the public.
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Keywords
Oral cancer, Risk factors, Signs and symptoms, Knowledge