Abstract

MENDOZA FERNANDEZ, Mirna et al. Educational intervention to the prevention of oral cancer in the aged population. Rev Ciencias Médicas [online]. 2013, vol.17, n.4, pp.24-32. ISSN 1561-3194.

Introduction: the oral cavity for its location, anatomy and functions deserves a careful medical care to the early prevention and detection of any kinds of disorders, mainly in the elderly. Objective: to validate an educational intervention to the prevention of oral cancer in the aged population. Material and method: an analytical, longitudinal and prospective study of an educational intervention carried out at No-44 Doctor's Office, Pinar del Rio municipality during September 2010 to September 2011 including the elderly. The target group was comprised of 119 old people, 50 were chosen and included into the first group for their degree of validity. Previous to the application of examination used for the Early Detection Program of Oral Cancer, a questionnaire was applied to appraise knowledge and attitude regarding the aspects of prevention, before and after de implementation of the educational program. Percentage and Mc Nemar's chi square test was used to conduct the qualitative assessment through focal groups. Results: the level of knowledge increased from 12% before the application of the educational intervention up to 88% after its implementation. Conclusions: the main difficulties were: the ignorance of the oral-self examination and risk factors. A significant increase in the level of knowledge was achieved after the implementation of the educational intervention, which favored the prevention and the opportune treatment for the oral cancer, a workshop was programmed to update Primary Health Care Professionals.

Keywords : Aged; Self-examination; Risk factors; Population education.

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