Socio demographic profile of oral cancer patients residing in Tamil Nadu - A hospital based study

INTRODUCTION: In developing countries, a high proportion of patients with oral cancer are from lower socioeconomic classes. This high proportion is clearly associated with difficulties in accessing the health care system. Hence, the aim of this study is to assess the socio-demographic profile of oral cancer patients at Tamil Nadu, India. OBJECTIVE: To determine the socio-demographic profile of study subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a cross sectional study done at a cancer hospital in Chennai. The study population were subjects with oral cancer who reported for treatment. A pretested interviewer administered questionnaire was used to assess the socioeconomic status of oral cancer patients. Pareek's scale of classification was used for rural population and Kuppuswamy's classification was used in urban population to assess the socioeconomic status. RESULTS: A total of 266 oral cancer patients aged 21-60 years and above comprised the study population. Most of the study subjects belonged to the lower socio economic classes. About 48.5% of rural subjects had agriculture as a source of occupation and 28.6% of urban subjects were unskilled labourers. In both rural and urban subjects, majority, 94.9% and 71.9% had family income below Rs 5000. The percentage of illiterates was high in both rural and urban class (i.e.) 55.8% and 21.9% respectively. The difference in the prevalence of oral cancer among different levels of literacy and occupation was found to be significant statistically. CONCLUSION: Identifying occupation, income and education specific disparities in tobacco use can provide a useful "signspot" indicating inequalities that need to be addressed by policy makers and broader community through allocation of resources.