Effectiveness of cancer literacy activities in motivating rural men of Satara district for screening of oral cancers

• Published in: Journal of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences University Vol. 11; no. 3; pp. 78 - 85
• Main Authors: Asha Pratinidhi, Pandurang Chaugule, Radhika Joshi, Vaishali Vhawal, Dilip Mane, Bhagvan Pawar, Trupti Bhosale
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Karad 01.07.2022
• Subjects: attitude and practice; health education; knowledge; oral cancer
• ISSN: 2231-4261

Background: Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers in India. Prevalence of tobacco use in both urban and rural areas in the form of smoking, chewing Gutakha use is very high. Aim and Objectives: To study the effectiveness of cancer literacy activities in motivating rural men of Satara district. Material and Methods: For creating awareness among rural population of Satara district of Maharashtra, India Cancer Literacy Satara Initiative was started by Health Department of Zilla Parishad, Satara, in collaboration with Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences “Deemed to be University” (KIMSDU) Karad, from 2017 to 2019. Experiences about awareness programme for men about oral cancer are presented in this paper. Out of 11 talukas of Satara District, four talukas were taken up for this project, two talukas in the vicinity of KIMSDU and two far away. A schedule of visits by mobile team of experts from KIMSDU was planned to cover 33 Primary Health Centers (PHCs) from these talukas in collaboration with medical officers of these PHCs. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) study, followed by health education and screening of the males aged above 30 years was carried out. During first round of visits of mobile team KAP survey was carried out along with Information, Education and Communication (IEC) and screening activities. From second round onwards only IEC and screening activities were continued. Results: There were 165 males who attended the awareness programme. KAP study revealed that 12% were totally ignorant about causation, risk factors, screening, and prognostic aspects of oral cancers. More than 50% were unaware that females were also at risk, and chewing of tobacco and consumption of gutakha were associated with oral cancer as well as the fact that cancer of the tongue is associated with many complications like the inability to speak and swallow food. Over 64% knew association of smoking and oral cancer. Screening was done after IEC activities in 473 males, 165 of which were subjected to KAP study, 83 were found with non-healing ulcers and leukoplakia and were referred for further management. Limitations of this research study was that some of the men identified for the awareness activity organized by PHCs could not attend it due to problems related to job and loss of daily wages. Conclusion: The Health Care Workers (HCW) males could be trained to screen oral cancer with inspection and clinical examination of the oral cavity for precancerous and cancerous lesions. Motivation of all men for undergoing screening after attending Health Education sessions at PHCs is possible. For those who missed these sessions, the trained HCWs could screen them when they next came to the PHCs or during routine home visits of these HCWs.