EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER-LED ORAL CANCER AWARENESS PROGRAMS IN IMPROVING KNOWLEDGE AND PREVENTIVE PRACTICES AMONG RURAL POPULATIONS
Abstract
Background: Oral cancer is a growing public health concern in Pakistan, particularly in rural communities where smokeless tobacco, gutka, naswar, and areca nut consumption are common. Limited awareness of risk factors and early warning signs may delay diagnosis and treatment. Community health workers can play an important role in providing health education and encouraging preventive practices at the community level.
Study Type: Community-based intervention study (Pre-test and post-test design)
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a community health worker-led oral cancer awareness program in improving knowledge, recognition of risk factors and early warning signs, preventive practices, and willingness to undergo oral cancer screening among rural populations.
Methods: A community-based intervention study using a single-group pre-test and post-test design was conducted in selected rural communities of Sukkur. Adult participants were assessed using a structured questionnaire before and after an oral cancer awareness intervention delivered by trained community health workers. Educational sessions focused on oral cancer risk factors, early symptoms, tobacco-related harms, prevention, and the importance of screening. Changes in knowledge, self-reported preventive behaviours, and screening willingness were assessed using appropriate paired statistical tests.
Results: The study evaluated changes in oral cancer knowledge, awareness of tobacco-related risks, recognition of suspicious oral changes, preventive practices, and screening willingness following the educational intervention. The direction, magnitude, and statistical significance of these changes remain to be reported from the actual pre-test and post-test data.
Conclusion: Community health worker-led education offers a practical approach to strengthening oral cancer prevention efforts in rural communities. Its effectiveness in the present study must be established using the observed findings. Integrating community education with tobacco cessation counselling, accessible screening, and referral services may support earlier recognition and timely healthcare-seeking behaviour.
Keywords
- Oral cancer; community health workers; health education; rural population; oral cancer awareness; preventive practices; screening; Sukkur; Pakistan
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