Escoto-Vasquez Lilibeth-Stephania, Alarcón-Sánchez Mario Alberto, Rodríguez-Montaño Ruth, Becerra-Ruiz Julieta Sarai, Lomelí-Martínez Sarah Monserrat, Heboyan Artak
Department of Oral Medicine and Pathology, Postgraduate Division, Dental School, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.
PhD Student in Molecular Biology and Medicine. Molecular Biology Department, University Center of Health Sciences, University of Guadalajara (CUCS-UdeG), Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
Cancer Control. 2025 Jan-Dec;32:10732748251316603. doi: 10.1177/10732748251316603.
This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the knowledge and awareness of oral cancer risk factors among medical and dental students.
This study followed the PRISMA guidelines and was registered in INPLASY (ID: 2024110035). Four databases were consulted (PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science) from February 20th, 2005, to May 10th, 2024. The study selection and data extraction process was performed independently by 2 investigators. The risk of bias was assessed using the JBI tool, which can be found at: https://jbi.global/critical-appraisal-tools. A third investigator was consulted in case of disagreement. Meta-analysis results were systematically illustrated in a forest plot and expressed as odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. The I statistic assessed heterogeneity between studies. Funnel plot and Egger regression analysis were used for bias analysis. A value <.05 was considered significant. All statistical analyses were performed using the STATA V.15 software.
After the selection process, 41 studies met the eligibility criteria, comprising a total of 14,425 participants, 22% medical students and 78% dental students, primarily female (53%). The meta-analysis showed that 98% of students demonstrated relatively good knowledge about oral cancer risk factors. The most recognized risk factor was smoking (99%), followed by advanced age (68%), UV-rays exposure (64%), and alcoholism (57%). Knowledge of several other factors was comparatively lower, with less than 50% of students recognizing them. The studies indicated significant heterogeneity (I = 99.8%) and publication bias ( < .001).
These findings suggest that while medical and dental students have a strong understanding of key risk factors for oral cancer, there are gaps in knowledge regarding other important factors. Addressing these gaps through enhanced education and training is essential to improving early detection and prevention efforts.
本系统评价和荟萃分析旨在评估医学生和牙科学生对口腔癌危险因素的认知情况。
本研究遵循PRISMA指南，并在INPLASY注册（ID：2024110035）。于2005年2月20日至2024年5月10日查询了四个数据库（PubMed、Science Direct、Scopus和Web of Science）。研究筛选和数据提取过程由两名研究人员独立进行。使用JBI工具评估偏倚风险，该工具可在以下网址找到：https://jbi.global/critical-appraisal-tools。如有分歧，会咨询第三名研究人员。荟萃分析结果在森林图中进行系统展示，并以比值比及95%置信区间表示。I统计量评估研究间的异质性。采用漏斗图和Egger回归分析进行偏倚分析。P值<.05被认为具有统计学意义。所有统计分析均使用STATA V.15软件进行。
经过筛选过程，41项研究符合纳入标准，共有14425名参与者，其中22%为医学生，78%为牙科学生，主要为女性（53%）。荟萃分析表明，98%的学生对口腔癌危险因素表现出相对较好的认知。最广为人知的危险因素是吸烟（99%），其次是高龄（68%）、紫外线暴露（64%）和酗酒（57%）。对其他一些因素的认知相对较低，不到50%的学生认识到这些因素。研究显示存在显著异质性（I = 99.8%）和发表偏倚（P <.001）。
这些发现表明，虽然医学生和牙科学生对口腔癌的关键危险因素有较强的理解，但在其他重要因素的知识方面仍存在差距。通过加强教育和培训来填补这些差距对于改善早期检测和预防工作至关重要。
