Empowering Future Healthcare Providers: Enhancing Oral Cancer Knowledge through Interdisciplinary Educational Interventions

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2026

Abstract

Oral cancer is a significant health issue, and early diagnosis is beneficial for improved outcomes. There is poor knowledge in relation to oral cancer risk factors, diagnosis, and preventive strategies in health profession students. The present study aimed to investigate the effect an educative intervention would have on oral cancer knowledge in senior health profession students in the Faculties of Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Nursing. The study adopted a pre-and-post-test research design with 190 senior health profession students. Students were required to participate in a (pre-test) survey, followed by educative teaching processes in an organized manner in the (post-test) phase. The educative activities involved a multimedia display, a group discussion, and subsequent teaching sessions. After the intervention, the percentage of participants who self-rated their knowledge on oral cancer to be excellent/good rose to 57% from 14.2% initially. There were also marked differences in the identification of key risk factors, with an increase in awareness from 85.3% to 96.3% for smoking (p=0.001), from 78.9% to 92.6% for alcohol (p=0.001), and from 34% to 63% for sunlight exposure (p< 0.001). The knowledge levels on preventive practices were also enhanced with an increase in awareness from 51.1% to 67.6% for green tea (p=0.003) and from 22.6% to 52.2% for fish (p< 0.001). Educational intervention is an effective tool in improving knowledge on oral cancer risk factors and preventive practices in students. The study supported the need for an interdisciplinary education program for health professionals. © RJPT All right reserved.

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