The association between sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge about oral cancer in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia

Background: Oral cancer (OC) is the third most common malignancy in Saudi Arabia, following leukemia and lymphoma. Early detection of this disease is impacted by knowledge of OC. This study aimed to evaluate public awareness of OC in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia and investigate how demographic background characteristics influence this knowledge. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a web-based questionnaire was distributed in a random multistage pattern between September 2023 and December 2023. The questionnaire was designed to measure knowledge levels of OC. A logistic regression model was used with demographic background variables as independent variables and knowledge of OC as the dependent variable. Results: Of 389 participants, only half were aware of OC (52.4%). Most participants (56%) had poor knowledge of OC, 37.3% had a moderate level of knowledge, and only 6.7% had good knowledge about OC. On multivariate analysis, higher level of education [(odds ratio (OR = 1.53; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.27-1.79; P < 0.0001)], higher salary (OR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.08-1.49; P < 0.0001), and being a female (OR = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.09-1.46; P = 0.011), were positively associate with the general knowledge of OC. Conclusion: Nearly one in every two residents in the western region of Saudi Arabia has never heard of OC. Most of the participants had poor knowledge of OC. Socioeconomic factors, including income and educational level, were the most prominent factors affecting the general understanding of OC. Community-level educational programs focusing on high-risk groups could increase awareness about OC and improve public health.