Descriptive Study on Socio-Demographic and Risk factors Associated with the Oral Cancers, Batticaloa District

Abstract

Objective: Sri Lanka has the highest reported incidence of oral cancer in the world. The aim of the study to investigate the relationship of risk factors with oral cancers. Materials & Methods: 596 individuals of Batticaloa district were investigated for this study through interviewer-administrated questionnaire within the time frame for the data collection, applying multi stage cluster sampling technique. Results &Discussion: Out of these 596, 63.42% (Nos. 378) are males. 2% (Nos. 11) of the people interviewed have been reported with oral cancer. 91% (Nos. 10) of the total number of oral cancer victims are from rural area. 63.64% (Nos. 7) are in the range of 61-75 years of age among oral cancer. There has no imply any clue about coalition between sex and oral cancer. 30.20% (Nos. 180) have the habit of Tobacco consumption and of which only 5 % (Nos. 7) were identified with oral cancer. Chewing is popular method [77.78% (Nos. 7)] among oral cancer victims. 32.38% (Nos. 193) are having the habit of chewing beetle. 81.82% (Nos. 9) oral cancer patients have the habit of chewing beetle. 90.67% (Nos. 175) people use one or more other substances such as slake lime, areca nut and Tobacco together. 66.67% (Nos. 6) oral cancer patients have the same practice of chewing while sleeping in the night. It is noted that 100% (Nos. 6) of the people with oral cancer and who are beetle chewers while sleeping in the night, keep the beetle pulp near their molar. 32.21% (Nos. 192) people including 3 (27.27 %) out of 11 oral cancer victims are having the habit of consuming Alcohol. Conclusions: Oral cancers are common among people aged 61-75 years. Tobacco consumption and Beetle chewing are most inducing factors of oral cancer.