OBJECTIVES: First, to evaluate awareness of oral cancer amongst the young South-Asian community in London and identify any aspects of knowledge about oral cancer that are lacking; and, second, to determine whether demographic factors or health-related behaviours are associated with knowledge of oral cancer. RESEARCH DESIGN: Cross-sectional questionnaire survey. PARTICIPANTS: South Asians aged 18-44 years attending community centres or places of worship in London. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Oral cancer awareness; health-related behaviours. RESULTS: Respondents (n = 201) were mainly male (61%), Indian (77%) and Hindu (35%). Over half (58%; n = 113) had one or more negative health-related behaviours and only 18% had attended a dentist in the previous two years. Chewing paan with betel nut (OR = 4.08, 95% CI = 1.58-10.59, p < 0.01), and time since last visit to a dentist (OR = 4.90, 95% CI = 2.13-11.28, p < 0.01) were independently associated with respondents level of knowledge of mouth cancer; the former positively and the latter negatively. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that young adults in the South Asian Community are exposed to a number of risk factors for oral cancer yet have poor knowledge of the implications of these health-related behaviours, and ways in which oral cancer can be detected earlier. The survey highlighted specific issues for action.
OBJECTIVES: First, to evaluate awareness of oral cancer amongst the young South-Asian community in London and identify any aspects of knowledge about oral cancer that are lacking; and, second, to determine whether demographic factors or health-related behaviours are associated with knowledge of oral cancer. RESEARCH DESIGN: Cross-sectional questionnaire survey. PARTICIPANTS: South Asians aged 18-44 years attending community centres or places of worship in London. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Oral cancer awareness; health-related behaviours. RESULTS: Respondents (n = 201) were mainly male (61%), Indian (77%) and Hindu (35%). Over half (58%; n = 113) had one or more negative health-related behaviours and only 18% had attended a dentist in the previous two years. Chewing paan with betel nut (OR = 4.08, 95% CI = 1.58-10.59, p < 0.01), and time since last visit to a dentist (OR = 4.90, 95% CI = 2.13-11.28, p < 0.01) were independently associated with respondents level of knowledge of mouth cancer; the former positively and the latter negatively. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that young adults in the South Asian Community are exposed to a number of risk factors for oral cancer yet have poor knowledge of the implications of these health-related behaviours, and ways in which oral cancer can be detected earlier. The survey highlighted specific issues for action.
Authors: Nidhi Saraswat; Bronwyn Everett; Rona Pillay; Neeta Prabhu; Amy Villarosa; Ajesh George Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-07-14 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Smita C Banerjee; Marlene Camacho-Rivera; Noshin Haque; Lisa Flynn; John Thomas; Philip Smith; Christine Sheffer; Jamie S Ostroff Journal: Ethn Health Date: 2019-08-26 Impact factor: 2.772