Effectiveness of a Mass Media Campaign on Oral Carcinogens and Their Effects on the Oral Cavity

摘要

Objective: To develop a mass media campaign on oral carcinogens and their effects on the oral cavity in orderto increase awareness among the general population. Methods: Documentary and public service announcementshighlighting the effects of tobacco and its products were designed and developed based on principles of behavior change. Aquestionnaire, designed to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of people regarding oral carcinogens, was usedto conduct a baseline survey at various sites in eastern Nepal. Local television channels and radio stations broadcastedthe documentary and public service announcements. An evaluation survey was then performed to assess the effectivenessof the campaign. Results: Baseline and evaluation surveys covered 1,972 and 2,140 individuals, respectively. A thirdof the baseline population consumed quid, 22% chewing tobacco, 16% gutka (commercial preparation of arecanut,tobacco, lime and chemicals) and 25% cigarettes. Tobacco consumption differed significantly between 3 ecologic regionswith greater use in the Terai region. The knowledge prevalence regarding the oral carcinogens quid (70%), chewingtobacco (82%), gutka (58%) and cigarettes (93%) significantly increased in the evaluation population. Females weremore aware about the various tobacco products and their effects on health. More people knew about the harmful effectsof tobacco on their health and oral cavity, and had their mouth examined and the frequency of consumption of theseproducts reduced significantly after the campaign. Attitudes towards production, sale and advertisements of tobaccoalso improved significantly. Conclusions: The mass media campaign was an effective tool for increasing awarenessamong the population.