Thai Population Survey of Knowledge about Risk Factors and Early Sign of Oral Cancer

Abstract

Background: Oral cancer is one of a common type of cancer in head neck region. Oral cancer mostly occurs in people who over the age 55 years and most often in men than women. Tobacco and alcohol are the most risk factors related to disease. Knowledge about risk factors and early signs of Oral cancer can improve awareness of prevention the disease. Objective: To survey knowledge about risk factors and early signs of Oral cancer in Thai population. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in Thai population who over 18 years old between September 2021 to July 2022. Data were collected by questionnaires via google form. The questionnaires composed of demographic data, knowledge about risk factors, and early signs of oral cancer. Data were displayed as number and percentage in categorical variables while continuous variables were presented as mean (SD). Results: Out of 1,536 participants completed the questionnaires including 74.2% of female and 25.8% of male, the mean age was 40.20±1.47 years, and education level were bachelor degree or higher 78.9%. Moreover, participants were civil servant 32.7%, employee 31.5%, and not working 14.5% respectively. Sixty-six (4.3%) of participants were screened oral cancer. Most of participants 59.9% were not receive information about oral cancer. The three risk factors which participants filled in the right answer were smoking 83.7%, followed by alcohol 69.9%, and chewing betel nut or tobacco 56.2% respectively, while a growth or lump inside mouth was the most of early sign of oral cancer that participants filled in the right answer 78.1%. Conclusion: Receiving information of knowledge about risk factors and early signs of oral cancer in Thai population were moderate. The organizations should have to communicated the knowledge to population for primary prevention severity and decreasing the mortality of disease.