Knowledge Regarding Risk Factors for Oral Cancer among Adult Residents in Thelumpitiya area, Kegalle District, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Objective: This study focused on assessing the level of knowledge regarding risk factors for oral cancer among residents in selected rural communities of Thelumpitiya area of Kegalle District, Subaragamuwa province. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional descriptive design, utilizing a validated questionnaire to collect information from 260 adult residents of the study area about knowledge on risk factors (RFs) for oral cancer and risks associated with betel chewing and alcohol consumption who consented to participate. Data analysis was conducted with the computer software SPSS version16.0 and Chi square tests were carried out at 0.05 level of significance. Results: The results showed that 65% percent of the respondents were unable to recognize RFs for oral cancer (OC), while 54% were unable to identify what constitute modifiable risk factors (MRFs) associated with OC (tobacco use, alcohol consumption and betel chewing). A significant proportion (95%) demonstrated poor knowledge of what constituted non-modifiable risk factors (NMRFs) eg. family history, genotype and age. Regarding risk behaviors (RBs) associated with OC, 86% of the subjects had identified betel chewing with tobacco and lime, cigarette smoking (67%), use of smokeless tobacco (79%) as RFs for OC. Only19% of subjects had identified family history, 39% genotype, 12% age and 4% race as NMRFs related to OC. Majority of male (54%) and female (78%) had poor knowledge on RF for OC (p < 0.05).The level of knowledge regarding RFsfor OC showed significant association with educational attainment (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Findings indicate that knowledge regarding RFs for OC among rural population was poor and that there was a positive significant association between knowledge and educational level. Therefore, this study strongly recommends strategically designed health education programmes in order to increase the level of public awareness on RFs for OC.