Pokharel M, Shrestha I, Dhakal A, Amatya R Cm
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel Hospital, Kavre, Nepal.
Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ). 2017;15(57):75-77.
Background Oral cancer is a major public health problem worldwide. It has high mortality rates and chances of survival is relatively superior when detected early. Lack of knowledge and awareness about oral cancer among medical students may contribute to delay in diagnosis and treatment. Objective To assess awareness and knowledge of oral cancer among medical students. Method A cross-sectional study conducted among 286 students by Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck surgery, Kathmandu University School of Medical sciences between July to August 2016. A questionnaire with questions on socio-demographic profile, awareness and knowledge of oral cancer was used. Independent sample t test and Pearson Chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis. Result Out of 329 students approached, 286 participated in the study yielding a response rate of 86.9%. Symptoms of oral cancer as reported were ulceration in mouth (92.3%), oral bleeding (85.0%),whitish or reddish patch (84.3%), halitosis (75.5%) and swelling in neck (74.5%), trismus (69.2%), numbness (67.1%), loosening of teeth (49.3%) and tooth sensitivity (41.6%). The perceived risk factors were smoking (97.2%), tobacco chewing (96.5%), chronic irritation (86.7%), immunodeficiency (83.9%), poor oral hygiene (88.5%), human papilloma virus infection (82.5%), dietary factors (81.1%), alcohol (79.4%), ill-fitting dentures (72.4%), hot spicy food (65.4%) and hot beverages (58.0%). Significant differences were found between pre-clinical and clinical students for knowledge of risk factors, signs and symptoms of oral cancer (p<0.001). Conclusion There is deficiency of knowledge among medical students about some aspects of oral cancer. Active involvement while examining patients and taking biopsies of malignant and premalignant lesions may help in improving students' knowledge about oral cancer.
口腔癌是全球主要的公共卫生问题。其死亡率高，早期发现时生存几率相对较高。医学生对口腔癌缺乏了解和认识可能导致诊断和治疗延误。目的：评估医学生对口腔癌的认识和了解。方法：2016年7月至8月间，加德满都大学医学院耳鼻喉科及头颈外科对286名学生进行了一项横断面研究。使用了一份包含社会人口学特征、口腔癌认识和了解相关问题的问卷。采用独立样本t检验和Pearson卡方检验进行统计分析。结果：在329名被邀请的学生中，286名参与了研究，应答率为86.9%。报告的口腔癌症状有口腔溃疡（92.3%）、口腔出血（85.0%）、白色或红色斑块（84.3%）、口臭（75.5%）、颈部肿胀（74.5%）、牙关紧闭（69.2%）、麻木（67.1%）、牙齿松动（49.3%）和牙齿敏感（41.6%）。认为的危险因素有吸烟（97.2%）、咀嚼烟草（96.5%）、慢性刺激（86.7%）、免疫缺陷（83.9%）、口腔卫生差（88.5%）、人乳头瘤病毒感染（82.5%）、饮食因素（81.1%）、酒精（79.4%）、假牙不合适（72.4%）、辛辣食物（65.4%）和热饮（58.0%）。临床前学生和临床学生在口腔癌危险因素、体征和症状的知识方面存在显著差异（p<0.001）。结论：医学生在口腔癌的某些方面存在知识欠缺。在检查患者和对恶性及癌前病变进行活检时积极参与，可能有助于提高学生对口腔癌的认识。
