Preprint / Version 1

Knowledge, Opinion, and Practices Towards Screening of Oral Cancer Among Homeopathy and Ayurveda Students in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India

Authors

  • Silpi Chatterjee Department of Public Health Dentistry, Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College & Hospital, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, IND
  • Asim Khan Department of Biomedical Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, SAU
  • Reshma VJ Department of Biomedical Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, SAU
  • Muhaseena Muhamood Department of Biomedical Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, SAU
  • Muhamood Moothedath Department of Oral and Dental Health, College of Applied Health Sciences in Arrass, Qassim University, Buraidah, SAU
  • Kumuda Rao Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Nitte University, Mangalore, IND
  • Faheem Mir Department of Health Policy and Health Services Research, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, USA

Keywords:

student, ayurveda, homeopathy, oral cancer, practices, opinion, knowledge

Abstract

Introduction: Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Early recognition leads to higher cure rates and better quality of life. Homeopathy and Ayurveda can help improve the general well-being and vitality of patients without inducing any side effects. Aim: To assess knowledge, opinion, and practices towards oral cancer among homeopathy and ayurvedic students. Objectives: To find the correlation between knowledge and practices followed by homeopathy and ayurvedic students. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 157 homeopathy and 153 ayurvedic students in Indore city, Central India. The subjects were selected using a convenient sampling technique, and the data was collected using a pre-tested close-ended self-administered questionnaire with 24 questions. The data were analyzed by IBM Corp. Released 2011. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. using descriptive and analytical (Chi-square and independent sample t-tests) statistics. Correlation analysis was performed to assess the relation between knowledge and preventive practices score. Results: Homeopathy students showed a significantly higher mean knowledge (4.74+0.96) and practice score (4.82+1.54) as compared to ayurvedic students (knowledge score 4.49+1.11) (practice score 4.09+1.98). No significant differences were observed in the mean knowledge and practice scores of the homeopathy students. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean knowledge score and practice score of third-, fourth-, and fifth-year ayurvedic students at p-value <0.05. A positive (p-value <0.0001) correlation was observed between the knowledge and practice scores for ayurvedic students. As the year of professional studies increased, the overall practice of the students regarding oral cancer also increased, with fifth-year students showing significantly better practice (OR- 1, p-value = <0.05) than the other year students.  Conclusion: Homeopathy students showed better knowledge, whereas ayurvedic students showed better opinions and practices towards oral cancer. Keywords: student, ayurveda, homeopathy, oral cancer, practices, opinion, knowledge

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