%0 Journal Article
%T Raising Awareness of Oral Precancer and Cancer Among Indian Long-Distance Heavy Vehicle Drivers: A Neglected Group
%A Sivaramakrishnan Muthanandam
%A Jananni Muthu
%A Bontha Veerabahu Babu
%A Suganya Rajaram
%A Shivashankar Kengadharan
%J International Journal of Social and Psychological Aspects of Healthcare
%@ 3108-4818
%D 2024
%V 4
%N 1
%R 10.51847/2JNlaeP6n5
%P 20-25
%X Long-distance heavy vehicle drivers are often a marginalized group, with limited research on their awareness and understanding of oral cancer. This survey, part of a larger research project funded by the ICMR, aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of oral cancer among truck drivers who regularly stop in and around Pondicherry. A total of 2340 truck drivers participated by completing a pre-validated questionnaire. Responses were analyzed based on frequency and total knowledge scores, with means and standard deviations. Approximately 67.7% of participants were aware of oral pre-cancer and cancer. Only 8.9% correctly identified smoking, smokeless tobacco, and alcohol as potential causes of oral cancer, and most respondents attributed this condition mainly to smokeless tobacco. Only 16% of the participants believed that oral cancer is preventable. Regarding attitudes toward oral cancer awareness, 94.1% expressed interest in learning more, while 59% showed no interest in gaining more knowledge. The mean knowledge score of the participants was 6.35 ± 4.21. A positive correlation was found between age and knowledge scores (0.65; P = 0.002), while education level showed a negative correlation (-0.202; P = 0.000). The results indicate a significant gap in oral cancer awareness among long-distance truck drivers in India and emphasize the need for targeted educational initiatives focused on prevention and early diagnosis in this group.
%U https://smerpub.com/article/raising-awareness-of-oral-precancer-and-cancer-among-indian-long-distance-heavy-vehicle-drivers-a-n-tysxetweft2oipy