title: Knowledge of oral cancer, preventive attitudes, and behaviors of primary care physicians in Turkey.
abstract: Oral cancers (OCs) have a high mortality rate because of their typically late diagnosis. Primary care physicians play a vital role in early detection. In this study, we evaluated the family physicians' (FPs) knowledge, preventive attitudes, and behaviors in terms of OCs. A semistructured questionnaire consisting of 50 questions was prepared and distributed to 200 FPs. Questions were grouped under four main headings: demographic characteristics, general protective attitudes against OCs, risk factors, and daily practices while performing the necessary examinations and referrals. Of 200 FPs, 164 responded to the questionnaire (82% response rate). The mean age of the study participants was 34.8 ± 8.4 years and the mean duration of practice was 10 ± 8.1 years. One-third of the physicians (29.9%, n=49) stated that they did not inquire about the amount of tobacco use. In terms of alcohol use, 45.7% (n=75) and 56.7% (n=93) did not ask about past alcohol consumption or the amount of alcohol consumed, respectively. Moreover, 69.5% (n=114) believed that they did not receive adequate smoking cessation training and 79.9% (n=131) stated that they did not receive any alcohol cessation training. To decrease morbidity and mortality associated with OCs, primary care physicians should be trained to ask their patients about high-risk behaviors, provide counseling and education on tobacco and alcohol-abuse cessation, and provide oral examinations.
authors.affiliation: aDepartment of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Yeditepe University bDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Medipol University cDepartment of Public Health, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozlem
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tanriover
authors.forename: Seyhan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hidiroglu
authors.forename: Dilsad
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Save
authors.forename: Hulya
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Akan
authors.forename: Pinar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ay
authors.forename: Melda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karavus
authors.forename: Osman
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hayran
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D058007:Physicians, Primary Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult