Male prisoner tobacco use and oral cancer knowledge: a case study of a local prison in India.

UNLABELLED

There is a high prevalence of tobacco consumption among prisoners. This study aimed to establish tobacco use, to explore and assess oral cancer awareness and to identify associations between oral cancer awareness and tobacco use in a sample of male prisoners in a local Indian prison.

METHODOLOGY

A systematically selected random sample of male prisoners participated and a structured interview schedule was used, generated from two different sets of validated standardised questionnaires: the WHO STEPS instrument for NCD (Non Communicable Diseases) Risk Factors to assess tobacco consumption and the modified Humphris Oral Cancer Knowledge Scale to assess oral cancer knowledge.

RESULTS

Participation rate was 100%. Prevalence of tobacco consumption, mainly smoked, amongst prisoners was 68.5% (95% CI 63, 73%) The mean oral cancer knowledge score amongst prisoners was 13.28 (95% CI 12.9, 13.6). Statistically significant associations (P < 0.05) were found between oral cancer knowledge and age of participants, years of education and starting age of tobacco use. No association was found between oral cancer knowledge and tobacco consumption.

CONCLUSIONS

Tobacco use was high. Knowledge did not appear to impact on this behaviour, indicating the need for effective smoking interventions in this sample.