Abstract

1Dr Arsalan A. Uqaili, 2Dr Rafeea Shah, 3Dr Azm ul Hussain and 4Dr Naresh Kumar

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of betel nuts, pan and ghutka in the school children of rural areas and suburbs of Sindh, Pakistan and whether they have awareness for oral cancer and its risk factors. Spreading awareness in school going children can potentially reduce the incidence of oral cancer in our society.Through the use of a questionnaire we assessed 462 school children in three districts of Sindh: Thatta, Jamshoro and Hyderabad, on their consumption of betel nuts, pan and ghutka; oral behaviors; their knowledge of oral cancer and their understanding of common risk factors for oral cancer. Out of 462 students questioned, 66% of them answered positive for eating at least one of the risk factors studied in this study. However knowledge of the side effects of these substances was poor and even erroneous and only 44% had awareness in general. Regarding brushing teeth daily, 92% of students brushed at least once daily. In response to being aware of the word Oral cancer, only 34% answered that they have heard about Oral cancer. 29% of all the students could mention betel nuts, pan or ghutka as the risk factor for oral cancer. Awareness of the risk factors and clinical features of oral cancer provides an opportunity to reduce the incidence of new addicts among the young population, application of that knowledge seems, however, to be poor. This highlights a need for improved education of school going children and introduction of special teaching and interactive programs to communicate the message in a more persuasive manner.