Awareness of head and neck cancers in Saudi Arabia: A questionnaire based study

Authors

• Saleh Alqaryan, From the Department of Otolaryngology (Alqaryan), King Saud University, from the Pathology Department (Alharbi), King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh; from the College of Medicine (Aldrees, Almatrafi), Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj; and from the College of Medicine (Alhumaid), Qassim University, Al Qassim, Kingdom, Saudi Arabia
• Turki Aldrees, From the Department of Otolaryngology (Alqaryan), King Saud University, from the Pathology Department (Alharbi), King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh; from the College of Medicine (Aldrees, Almatrafi), Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj; and from the College of Medicine (Alhumaid), Qassim University, Al Qassim, Kingdom, Saudi Arabia
• Sharif Almatrafi, From the Department of Otolaryngology (Alqaryan), King Saud University, from the Pathology Department (Alharbi), King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh; from the College of Medicine (Aldrees, Almatrafi), Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj; and from the College of Medicine (Alhumaid), Qassim University, Al Qassim, Kingdom, Saudi Arabia
• Amjad Alharbi, From the Department of Otolaryngology (Alqaryan), King Saud University, from the Pathology Department (Alharbi), King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh; from the College of Medicine (Aldrees, Almatrafi), Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj; and from the College of Medicine (Alhumaid), Qassim University, Al Qassim, Kingdom, Saudi Arabia
• Humaid Alhumaid, From the Department of Otolaryngology (Alqaryan), King Saud University, from the Pathology Department (Alharbi), King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh; from the College of Medicine (Aldrees, Almatrafi), Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj; and from the College of Medicine (Alhumaid), Qassim University, Al Qassim, Kingdom, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives: To address the gap in knowledge by providing data and analyses of the status of awareness among Saudi adults. Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was carried out in Saudi Arabia from August 2018 to August 2019 through social media platforms using SurveyMonkey. The domains of the questionnaire included demographic information, knowledge of types and symptoms of head and neck cancers (HNCs), and the relation of HNCs to human papillomavirus (HPV) and its vaccine. Results: A total of 3171 respondents completed the questionnaire. The analysis revealed that many of the study respondents (49.3%) were not knowledgeable about HNCs. Almost two-thirds (61.2%) of the study population incorrectly believed that brain cancer was included in HNCs. Over half (57.8%) did not recognize headaches as a symptom. In terms of the risk factors, males showed higher awareness of tobacco and excessive alcohol as risk factors, while females were more knowledgeable about HPV infection ( p <0.05). Conclusion: This study revealed that there is a lack of knowledge and awareness of the clinical features of and risk factors for HNCs among the Saudi population.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

400

Last Page

405

Recommended Citation

Alqaryan, Saleh; Aldrees, Turki; Almatrafi, Sharif; Alharbi, Amjad; and Alhumaid, Humaid (2020) "Awareness of head and neck cancers in Saudi Arabia: A questionnaire based study," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 41: Iss. 4, Article 10.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2020.4.24990