Assessment of Knowledge, Awareness and Attitude towards Oral Precancer and Cancer among Narikuravar Population in Pondicherry State

Abstract

Objective Literature revealed that oral health status and awareness about oral hygiene measures of Narikuravar tribes were very poor. There was also an increased prevalence of tobacco usage among this population. Considering this, incidence and prevalence of oral precancerous and cancerous lesions are expected to be high in this population. Surprisingly, the literature search revealed a lack of data on the awareness, knowledge, and prevalence of oral cancer and precancer in this group. The primary objective of this survey is to assess knowledge, awareness and attitude toward oral precancer and cancer among the Narikuravar tribal population in Pondicherry state. Materials and Methods This questionnaire survey is a part of the Model for Oral Cancer Eradication project conducted among the Narikuravar population in Pondicherry, which is funded by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). A total of 153 participants were recruited for the survey. A prevalidated questionnaire was used for the survey. Results The results indicated that 47% of the participants were aware of what is oral precancer and cancer. As much as 62% knew that chewing tobacco causes oral cancer and 44% thought that the growth of tissue in the mouth could be a sign of oral cancer. Almost 100% did not think that the presence of a red lesion, white lesion, or limitation of mouth opening could be signs of cancer or precancer. Only 16% thought that oral cancer is preventable. Conclusion Awareness about oral cancer and precancer is inadequate among the Narikuravar population of Pondicherry. Majority of the population is not aware of the risks, signs, or treatment options of oral precancer and cancer. The National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) identified the people’s knowledge gaps, and improving awareness is one of the strategies of the program.

Assessment of Knowledge of and Attitude Toward Oral Cancer Among the Outpatient Population in a Tertiary Care Rural Hospital

“…Cigarette smoke weakens the immunity in the oral cavity by causing gingivitis, periodontitis, and oral cancer. In certain rural areas still, issues like poverty, illiteracy, poor health care, poor knowledge, and lack of awareness about oral health, oral hygiene, and the prevalence of oral cancer or lack of knowledge of oral cancer are prevalent [ 3 ].…”

Assessment of knowledge and awareness among North Indian populations about oral precancerous lesions (OPL): A cross-sectional survey study

“…Similarly, a survey conducted in 2016 by Ahire[ 18 ] reported that the patients reported to their department their knowledge and awareness regarding oral premalignant lesions were found to be low. Muthanandam et al .,[ 25 ] 2021 conducted a questionnaire-based study on the Narikuravar population of Pondicherry to assess their knowledge and awareness about pre-cancer and cancer and found that almost 100% populations were unaware of its signs and symptoms and the consequences of precancerous lesions. Similar results were observed in a study conducted by Kadashetti et al .,[ 26 ] where the patients who visited to the hospital and participated in the survey were unaware of oral premalignant lesions and signs and symptoms.…”

Oral Health Status and Oral Health Risks Among Tribes in Tamil Nadu, India: An Epidemiological Study

“…Regrettably, 40% of the study population had completed only up to primary school and only 6.4% had completed higher secondary school. Likewise, in a study conducted on Narikuravars of Pondicherry, 91% of the population was uneducated and only 8.3% had attended primary school [ 11 ]. This may be due to their nomadic lifestyle, where parents have turned to various jobs like selling beads, toys, and other items in markets, bus stands, fairs, and other places where their kids would never get the chance to attend school [ 10 ].…”

“…The government has, however, banned it following the implementation of the Wildlife Protection Act. They now have different jobs and live a nomadic lifestyle, selling beads, toys, and other items in markets, bus stands, and other public places [ 11 ]. Most members of this community lack the facility of housing and live on roadsides and in huts.…”