title: Oral cancer awareness in young South-Asian communities in London.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  First, to evaluate awareness of oral cancer amongst the young South-Asian community in London and identify any aspects of knowledge about oral cancer that are lacking; and, second, to determine whether demographic factors or health-related behaviours are associated with knowledge of oral cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional questionnaire survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  South Asians aged 18-44 years attending community centres or places of worship in London.
  
  
  METHODS
  Oral cancer awareness; health-related behaviours.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Respondents (n = 201) were mainly male (61%), Indian (77%) and Hindu (35%). Over half (58%; n = 113) had one or more negative health-related behaviours and only 18% had attended a dentist in the previous two years. Chewing paan with betel nut (OR = 4.08, 95% CI = 1.58-10.59, p < 0.01), and time since last visit to a dentist (OR = 4.90, 95% CI = 2.13-11.28, p < 0.01) were independently associated with respondents level of knowledge of mouth cancer; the former positively and the latter negatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that young adults in the South Asian Community are exposed to a number of risk factors for oral cancer yet have poor knowledge of the implications of these health-related behaviours, and ways in which oral cancer can be detected earlier. The survey highlighted specific issues for action.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Merchant
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Gallagher
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology; D001114:Areca; D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000208:ethnology; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018596:Hinduism / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D064424:Tobacco Use / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult