Abstract
The aim of our study was to evaluate the awareness of oral cancer and perception of tobacco use cessation counseling among dental students at all study levels in India, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
A cross-sectional survey that included convenience sample of dental students of all years of study was done. The sample was drawn from Kerala University of Health Sciences; India, King Saud University, Al Kharj University and University of Dammam; Saudi Arabia, Ajman University of Science and Technology, and University of Sharjah; United Arab Emirates and University of Aden; Yemen. A structured, pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire consisting of oral cancer related questions and tobacco use cessation related statements was used. First year and second year students were classified as preclinical students and the remaining levels of study were grouped as clinical students for statistical analysis. Data analyses including percentages, frequency distributions and tests of chi-square were generated. The statistical significance level was set at P<0.05.
Of the 1553 completed surveys, 637 (41%) were from India, 520 (33.5%) from Saudi Arabia, 203 (13.1%) from Yemen and 193 (12.4%) from United Arab Emirates. Majority of the respondents were females (955 females; 598 males), non-smokers (1432 non-smokers; 106 smokers) and clinical students (898 clinical students; 655 preclinical students). A total of 621 (97.6%) Indian, 493 (96.5%) Saudi, 194 (96.5%) Yemeni and 187 (98.4%) United Arab Emirates respondents recognized the association between oral cancer and cigarette smoking. Majority of respondents either disagreed or strongly disagreed with all the statements related to tobacco use cessation.
Oral cancer awareness was better among clinical students compared to preclinical students. A higher level of oral cancer awareness did not have a positive impact on the perception of tobacco use cessation counseling among the sample surveyed.