Knowledge and attitude of undergraduate students on oral cancer

Abstract

Introduction: Oral cancer is considered s one of the commonest cancers affecting the Indian population. In our study we studied this knowledge in the healthcare system to evaluate their knowledge regarding oral cancer. In India most often the common man seeks help of a known person or a relative in the medical field than the doctor for an initial opinion, this is possibly due to the fear and the social stigma associated with the disease. Therefore the authors of this study felt the need to educate the students well early in the course of the disease about oral cancer. So decided in the present study we decided to study the knowledge attitude and practices of undergraduate students of various health care divisions regarding oral cancer at the level of interns before they finish internship. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted at the medical colleges of Karnataka. The second year students of the medical, paramedical and nursing colleges were the target population of the study. The study was conducted between 2014 December and 2017 December. There was a questionnaire consisting of various questions in regard to oral cancer which participants who were willing to part-take in the study had to fill before and after being taught regarding the disease. The data was analyzed. Results: Among the participants the nursing professionals had a better understanding of oral cancers than the medical and paramedical students before they taught. Conclusion: In conclusion, the lack of knowledge amongst the participants’ is indicative of the fact that only a few people have effective the disease early decrease the morbidity of oral cancer. Keywords: Oral cancer, Indian population, Undergraduate, Students, Knowledge, Attitude.