Background: One of the main causes of mortality and morbidity of
oral cancer is lack of awareness about risk factors and symptoms.
This study aimed to assess the level of awareness and knowledge
of risk factors of patients regarding oral cancer.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 103 patients seen
at the oral diagnosis unit of the Federal Medical Centre, Owo was
done. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to
collect data on Oral Cancer (OC). Data was analysed with SPSS
version 21.0. Descriptive statistics were done. Associations were
explored with Chi square test. Predictors of good knowledge were
determined using binary logistic regression.
Results: The mean age of respondent was 35 years ± 13.4
Standard Deviation. In all. 27(26.2%) were below 25 years. Males
were 29(28.2%). Current smokers were 13(13.8%). Those who
had ever heard about OC were 55(53.4%). Dental clinic was the
source where most people heard about OC 18(32%) followed by
television 16(29.09%). Only 29(52.7%) had good knowledge of
OC. Among patients with tertiary level of education 27(81.8%) had
good knowledge of the risk factors for OC compared to 2(16.7%) of
those who do not have tertiary level of education, p<0.001. Good
knowledge was found in 28 (75.7%) of those who do not currently
smoke cigarette compared to 1(14.3%) of those who smoke,
p=0.004. The odds of having good knowledge among those with
tertiary level of education was about 13 times (C I: 2.03-84.81) than
those who had below tertiary education, p=0.007.
Conclusion: Awareness regarding oral cancer and knowledge of
its risk factors and symptoms is low. Dentists have important roles
to play in increasing awareness and knowledge about OC.