Oral Cancer Knowledge and Awareness among Dental students in North Cyprus

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 14 Sayı: 1, 9 - 17, 27.01.2025

Mujgan Firincioglulari

https://doi.org/10.54617/adoklinikbilimler.1481650

Öz

Aim: This study aimed to assess oral cancer awareness among undergraduate dental students at Cyprus International University Faculty of Dentistry.
Materials and Method: A total of 208 dental students participated voluntarily in a questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions 18 questions on sociodemographic profile, oral cancer awareness, and knowledge. The data were analyzed with the IBM SPSS Statistics 24.0 program.
Results: 69 (33.2) % of the participants were 1st-grade, 59 (28.4%) were 2nd-grade, 57 (27.4%) were third-grade, 12 (5.8%) were 4th-grade and 11 (5.3%) were 5th-grade students. The majority of the students identified smoking (81,25%) as a potential risk factor followed by alcohol consumption in second place (62%). The percentage of 5th-grade students who identified smoking as a risk factor was slightly higher than other grades. All grades stated that smoking causes more oral cancer than alcohol. Regarding clinical signs, 62.55% reported that oral cancer can present as an Abnormal mass/lump in the mouth, but only 52.15% of the participants recognized that oral cancer can present as a white and/or red lesion. Tobacco cessation was the most selected option for protecting from oral cancer (78.9%). Regarding oral cancer education and HPV causing oral cancer, 4th and 5th grades significantly showed better knowledge (p<0.05). Female participants showed significantly higher knowledge about oral cancer precautions. (p<0.05)
Conclusion: While, the study suggests significant gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of dental students in North Cyprus in terms of oral cancer, it is shown that students are generally aware of the risk of tobacco-related oral cancer. This research emphasized the significance of enhancing educational approaches in dentistry to improve oral cancer detection and prevention.

Anahtar Kelimeler

oral cancer, awareness, survey

Kuzey Kıbrıs'taki Diş Hekimliği Öğrencilerinde Ağız Kanseri Bilgisi ve Farkındalığı

Öz

Amaç: Bu çalışma, Uluslararası Kıbrıs Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi'ndeki diş hekimliği lisans öğrencileri arasında ağız kanseri farkındalığının değerlendirilmesini amaçlamıştır.
Gereç ve Yöntem: Ankete toplam 208 diş hekimliği öğrencisi gönüllü olarak katıldı. Anket sosyo-demografik profil, ağız kanseri farkındalığı ve bilgisine ilişkin 18 sorudan oluşuyordu. Veriler IBM SPSS İstatistik 24.0 programıyla analiz edildi.
Bulgular: Katılımcıların %69'u (%33,2) 1. sınıf, 59'u (%28,4) 2. sınıf, 57'si (%27,4) üçüncü sınıf, 12'si (%5,8) 4. sınıf ve 11'i (%5,3) 5. sınıf öğrencileriydi. Öğrencilerin çoğunluğu sigara içmeyi (%81,25) potansiyel bir risk faktörü olarak belirtmiş, bunu ikinci sırada alkol tüketimi (%62) izlemiştir. Sigara içmeyi risk faktörü olarak tanımlayan 5. sınıf öğrencilerinin yüzdesi diğer sınıflara göre biraz daha yüksekti. Tüm sınıflar sigaranın alkolden daha fazla ağız kanserine neden olduğunu belirtmiştir. Klinik belirtilerle ilgili olarak, %62,55'i ağız kanserinin ağızda anormal bir kitle/yumru olarak ortaya çıkabileceğini bildirdi ancak katılımcıların yalnızca %52,15'i ağız kanserinin beyaz ve/veya kırmızı bir lezyon olarak ortaya çıkabileceğini fark etti. Ağız kanserinden korunmak için en çok sigarayı bırakmak (%78,9) cevabı tercih edildi. Ağız kanseri eğitimi ve ağız kanserine neden olan HPV konusunda 4. ve 5. sınıfların anlamlı düzeyde daha iyi bilgi sahibi olduğu görüldü (p<0.05). Kadın katılımcılar ağız kanseri önlemleri hakkında önemli ölçüde daha yüksek bilgi gösterdi. (p<0,05)
Sonuç: Çalışma, Kuzey Kıbrıs'taki diş hekimliği öğrencilerinin ağız kanseri konusunda bilgi, tutum ve farkındalıklarında önemli boşluklar bulunduğunu ortaya koyarken, öğrencilerin genel olarak tütüne bağlı ağız kanseri riskinin farkında oldukları gösterilmiştir. Bu araştırma, ağız kanseri tespitini ve önlenmesini geliştirmek için diş hekimliğinde eğitim yaklaşımlarının geliştirilmesinin önemini vurgulamaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

oral kanser, farkındalık, anket

Kaynakça

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