Awareness about Oral Cancer among Non Medical University Students of Peshawar

The objective of the study was to determine the awareness level of university students, their attitude and habits of tobacco use amongst them. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from a random sample of 236 students from 5 non-medical universities of Peshawar. The questionnaire included 12 questions pertaining to knowledge about oral cancer, its causative factors, key symptoms and habits of snuff dipping and smoking. In this study 64% students were males and 36% were females. Only 3% of students were familiar with the word oral cancer, 45% of students were aware that cigarette can cause oral cancer while 22% stated niswar as cause of oral cancer. 58% of students had no idea about signs of oral cancer. With regards to dental attendance 89% students said that they will visit a dentist when in trouble. 7% were in habit of snuff dipping and 19% were found to be smokers. This study revealed that the student population was unaware about oral cancer especially about its signs.