title: Public awareness and knowledge of oral cancer in Yemen.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oral cancer is in increasing in incidence in Yemen and indeed worldwide. Knowledge regarding risk factors and early signs in the general population can help in prevention and early detection of the disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness and knowledge of oral cancer in the general population in Yemen.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted on Yemeni adults aged ≥15 years old. A total of 543 persons participated, the collected data being analyzed using SPSS software. The significance level was set at p<0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two thirds (71.5%) of the participants had heard about oral cancer. Smoking and smokeless tobacco usage were identified as the major risk factors by 71.5% and 73.7% of the participants, respectively. Only 24.1% and 21.4%, respectively, were able to correctly identify red and white lesions as early signs of oral cancer. Knowledge of oral cancer was significantly associated with age (p<0.01), gender (p<0.05) and education level (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that the knowledge regarding oral cancer in this population is low. Therefore, educational programs are highly needed to improve such knowledge.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, Al-Farabi College of Dentistry and Nursing, Saudi Arabia, Department of Oral Medicine, Sana'a University, Yemen, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia E-mail : sadali05@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Sadeq Ali
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Al-Maweri
authors.forename: Abdallah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Addas
authors.forename: Bassel
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tarakji
authors.forename: Alkasem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abbas
authors.forename: Hashem M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Al-Shamiri
authors.forename: Nader Ahmed
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Alaizari
authors.forename: Bassam
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shugaa-Addin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011379:Prognosis; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015006:Yemen / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult