Challenges of early detection of oral cancer: raising awareness as a first step to successful campaigning. Issue 2 (5th February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baumann, Eva; Koller, Michael; Wiltfang, Jörg; Wenz, Hans-Jürgen; Möller, Björn; Hertrampf, Katrin
• Is Part Of: Health education research. Volume 31:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 136
• Page End: 145
• Publication Date: 2016-02-05
• Subjects: Health education -- Periodicals; Health education -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; 613.071
• DOI: 10.1093/her/cyv099
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0268-1153

Abstract

Abstract: In Germany, ∼13 000 people are found to have oral and pharyngeal cancer every year. Awareness and knowledge about this cancer remain insufficient, particularly amongst elderly people. A campaign for early detection was launched in Northern Germany in April 2012. The first step of the campaign was to increase awareness about oral cancer. Prior to a pre-campaign evaluation at the campaign start, March 2012 and an intermediate-campaign evaluation, November 2012, a sample representative for the population aged 50 ≥ years (target group; N = 500) was drawn for a first process evaluation. The surveys were conducted by means of telephone interviews including questions on behaviour, knowledge and sociodemographic/socioeconomic aspects and target group-oriented questions on issue, media and campaign material awareness. The process evaluation showed an increase in issue awareness from 25 to 40% ( P < 0.001) and the media awareness increased by over 10% ( P < 0.001). The results suggested that particularly women, the core age group (60–79 years) and the educationally disadvantaged group might benefit from the campaign. Awareness about the issue 'oral cancer' was already significantly increased 7 months after the campaign start. The highest general and media-related increase in awareness was achieved in the target group.