Oral and thyroid cancers are significant public health concerns globally. These cancers can have severe consequences on individuals' health, quality of life and overall survival. Early detection and timely intervention are crucial in improving outcomes for patients with these cancers. Knowledge and awareness among the general population about the risk factors and warning signs of oral and thyroid cancer play a pivotal role in promoting early detection and seeking appropriate medical care [1-5].

Improving knowledge and awareness among the general population regarding the risk factors and warning signs of oral and thyroid cancer is crucial for reducing the burden of these diseases and enhancing overall health outcomes. Enhancing knowledge and awareness can empower individuals to recognize potential signs and seek timely medical attention, leading to early diagnosis and improved treatment outcomes. Furthermore, identifying gaps in knowledge can help tailor educational campaigns and interventions to address these specific areas and promote preventive behaviors [6-8].

This research aims to assess the knowledge and awareness regarding the risk factors and warning signs of oral and thyroid cancers among patients attending the outpatient department of Civil Hospital Jogindernagar, situated in Himachal Pradesh, India. By evaluating the level of knowledge and awareness, the study seeks to identify gaps in understanding and raise awareness about the importance of early detection and preventive measures.

The study population comprises patients from diverse backgrounds, including both urban and rural areas. By examining their knowledge about the risk factors, such as tobacco and alcohol use, poor oral hygiene, family history and exposure to radiation, as well as the warning signs, such as persistent sores, lumps, hoarseness and difficulty swallowing, the research aims to determine the prevailing level of awareness in the community.

Objectives of the Study

This objective of this research article is to assess the knowledge and perceptions regarding the risk factors and warning signs of oral and thyroid cancers among patients attending the outpatient department of Civil Hospital Jogindernagar, located in the picturesque state of Himachal Pradesh, India.

• Research Approach: Descriptive

• Research Design: Hospital based cross-sectional survey design

• Setting of the Study: OPD in Civil hospital Jogindernagar, Himachal Pradesh

• Study Duration: Between January 2023-April 2023

• Study Population: Patients aged above 18 years came to OPD 

• Sample Size: About 400 Patients, assuming 50% have adequate knowledge regarding the risk factors and warning signs of oral and thyroid cancers, 5% absolute error, 95% confidence level and 5% non-response rate

• Sampling Technique: Convenience Sampling technique

• Sampling Criteria: First five patients who came to OPD were selected everyday till the completion of sample size after explaining the purpose of the study. Informed consent was taken from them and confidentiality of the selected participants was also maintained 

• Inclusive Criteria: Patients who were willing to participate in the study

• Exclusion Criteria: Patients who were not willing to participate in the study

Description of Tool

• Demographic Data Survey Instrument: The demographic form elicited information on participants’ background: age, gender, marital status, religion, employment, education, family’s monthly income etc

• Questionnaire: The questionnaire contains 20 structured knowledge related questions. One mark was given for each correct answer and zero for incorrect answer. The maximum score was 20 and minimum score was zero. Scoring was done on the basis of marks as >80%(16-20) = very good,60-79%(12-15) = Good,41-59% ( 8-11) = Fair, <40% (< 8) = poor

• Validity of Tool: By the experts in this field

Data Collection

By under the guidance of supervisors and patients were given 30 minutes time to complete that questionnaire and collected at the end of the prescribed time.

Data Analysis

With Epi Info V7 Software with appropriate statistical test in terms of frequencies, percentage.

The goal of the current study was to assess the awareness regarding the risk factors and warning signs of oral and thyroid cancers among patients attending outpatient department of Civil hospital, Jogindernagar, Himachal Pradesh.

A total of 400 respondents including 248 (62%) male patients and 152 (38%) female patients were participated in the study. Among the total, 111 (27.75%) were from urban area and 289 (72.25%) were from rural area (Table 1).

Table 1: Knowledge Regarding the Risk Factors and Warning Signs of Oral and Thyroid Cancers among Study Participants

In the present study 29.25% (117) participants had very good knowledge (16-20 marks) towards the risk factors and warning signs of oral and thyroid cancers, 33.5% (134) had good knowledge (12-15 marks), 21.75%(87) had fair knowledge (8-11 marks) and 15.5% (62) having poor knowledge (<8 marks) (Table 2).

Table 2: Knowledge Score Regarding the Risk Factors and Warning Signs of Oral and Thyroid Cancers among Study Participants

The present study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness regarding risk factors and warning signs of oral and thyroid cancers among patients attending the outpatient department of Civil Hospital Jogindernagar, Himachal Pradesh. The study included 400 respondents, with a higher proportion of male participants (62%) compared to female participants (38%). The majority of participants were from rural areas (72.25%) compared to urban areas (27.75%).

The study assessed the knowledge levels of participants regarding risk factors and warning signs of oral and thyroid cancers using a scoring system based on the survey questionnaire. The findings revealed that a significant proportion of participants (29.25%) demonstrated very good knowledge, scoring between 16 to 20 marks out of the total possible marks. Additionally, 33.5% of the participants had good knowledge, scoring between 12 to 15 marks, while 21.75% had fair knowledge, scoring between 8 to 11 marks. A smaller percentage of participants (15.5%) exhibited poor knowledge, scoring less than 8 marks.

The results of the knowledge assessment indicate a varied level of knowledge among the participants regarding the risk factors and warning signs of oral and thyroid cancers. While a considerable proportion demonstrated very good and good knowledge, suggesting a reasonable level of awareness, there is still room for improvement. The findings highlight the need for continued patient education initiatives to address knowledge gaps, particularly among those with fair and poor knowledge.

To provide a broader context for the findings, it is important to compare them with similar studies conducted in other settings. Previous research has focused on the knowledge and awareness of oral and thyroid cancers separately, but limited studies have examined both cancers together from the perspective of patients attending outpatient departments.

A study by Sharma et al. [9] assessed the knowledge and awareness of oral cancer among dental patients in a different healthcare setting. The findings indicated a lack of knowledge regarding risk factors and warning signs, with many participants unaware of common risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol use. Similarly, a study by Sathasivam et al. [10] evaluated the awareness and knowledge of thyroid cancer among the general population. The findings revealed a lack of awareness regarding the risk factors and early warning signs, highlighting the need for public education campaigns.

The present study expands upon previous research by assessing the knowledge and awareness of both oral and thyroid cancers among patients attending the outpatient department. The findings align with previous studies in emphasizing the need for targeted educational interventions to enhance patient understanding of the risk factors and warning signs of these cancers.

The present study findings revealed a mixed level of knowledge among the participants, with a significant proportion demonstrating very good and good knowledge. However, a notable proportion still exhibited fair and poor knowledge, indicating the need for continued patient education initiatives to address knowledge gaps and improve understanding.

Enhancing patient knowledge about the risk factors and warning signs of oral and thyroid cancers is crucial for early detection, timely treatment and improved outcomes. Patient education efforts should focus on providing accurate information about common risk factors, such as tobacco and alcohol use for oral cancer and raising awareness about the early warning signs for both oral and thyroid cancers. Targeted interventions can help improve knowledge, promote early detection and facilitate appropriate management of these cancers.

Limitations

Limitations of this study include its cross-sectional design, which provides a snapshot of patient knowledge at a specific time and the limited generalizability due to the focus on a specific geographical location. Future research should consider longitudinal designs and broader sampling to gain more comprehensive insights into patient knowledge regarding the risk factors and warning signs of oral and thyroid cancers and to evaluate the effectiveness of educational interventions.

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