Knowledge Regarding Oral Cancer: A Descriptive Study to Assess the Knowledge Regarding Oral Cancer among the Adults in a Selected Urban Community of Guwahati, Assam

Denden Diana Chara Moyon, Taku Dumi, Minuwara Begum, Majoni Parbin, Nazmin Sultana, Narjiara Begum, Marjina Khatun

Abstract: Background: Oral cancer is the most frequently encountered neoplasm among head and neck cancers and originates from the squamous epithelium lining of the oral cavity. Any problem that affects the mouth can make it hard to eat or drink such as cold sores, canker sores, thrush, gum or tooth problems, dry mouth, bad breath, leukoplakia and oral cancer. Objectives: To assess the knowledge regarding oral cancer among the adults in a selected urban community of Guwahati, Assam. Materials and methods: The study adopted a non-experimental descriptive research design, 135 adults residing in a selected urban community of Guwahati, Assam were recruited as sample of the study using multistage random sampling technique. The tool used for the study are demographic variables and self - structured knowledge questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The findings of the study revealed that, out of 135 adult?s majority 100 (74.1%) of the adults had inadequate knowledge, 33 (24.4%) have moderate knowledge and 2 (1.5%) have adequate knowledge regarding oral cancer. The mean score of the level of knowledge was 8.82 and the standard deviation was 2.40. There was significant association of knowledge regarding oral cancer among adults with selected demographic variables and clinical variables. Conclusion: The study concluded that knowledge regarding oral cancer among the adults was inadequate. Therefore, educational programs are needed to improve such knowledge.

Keywords: Assess, Knowledge, Oral cancer, Adults, Urban community