Head and Neck Cancer Risk Factors among a Pilot Sample of Nigerian Shisha Smokers: Focus On Oral Sex, Tobacco, Alcohol, and Knowledge of Head and Neck Cancer Kanmodi Kehinde Kazeem1,2,3,*, Mohammed Faruk Abdullahi1, Omoleke Semeeh Akinwale4, Njideka Nwafor Jacob1,2,3, Fagbule Omotayo Francis2,3,5, Adesina Miracle Ayomikun2,3,6, Aliyu Bashar Muhammad1,7, Abubakar Hamza Sadiq8, Ogundipe Precious Ayomide1,9, Iyadi Linda Ekele1,2,3 1Kebbi State Medical Centre, Kalgo, Nigeria 2Campaign for Head and Neck Cancer Education (CHANCE) Program, Cephas Health Research Initiative Inc, Ibadan, Nigeria 3Healthy Mind Program, Mental and Oral Health Development Organization Inc, Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria 4World Health Organization, Kebbi State Field Office, Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria 5Department of Periodontology and Community Dentistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria 6Department of Physiotherapy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria 7Department of Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria 8Department of Community Health, Kebbi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria 9Department of Statistics, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria *Corresponding Author E-Mail: kanmodikehinde@yahoo.com
Online published on 24 January, 2020. Abstract Background Head and neck cancer (HNC) forms the sixth most common cause of cancer-related deaths globally. The major risk factors for HNC are tobacco, alcohol, and oral sex. This study aims to determine the prevalence of oral sex and alcohol drinking amongst a pilot sample of shisha smokers in Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria. This study also explored their knowledge of HNC as well as their attitude towards HNC education. Methods This study was a descriptive cross-sectional pilot study of 45 shisha smokers in Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria. Study tool was a semi-structured questionnaire. Snowballing technique was used in recruiting the study participants. Data collected was analysed using the SPSS version 20 software. Results The mean age (±SD) of the 45 respondents was 25.8 years. The majority (71.1%) of them were males, 60.0% had tertiary school education, 73.3% were Muslims, and 62.2% were Hausas. Only 8 (17.8%) respondents had ever had oral sex. Only 5 (13.3%) respondents were found to be alcohol drinker and having positive history of oral sex. No statistically significant relationship was observed between the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents and their alcohol drinking and oral sexual histories. Lastly, the majority (71.1%) of them had never heard of HNC disease before; however, 73.3% showed positive interest in receiving a comprehensive health education on the disease. Conclusion This study showed that a significant proportion of the surveyed shisha smokers are at higher risk of developing HNC, should they continue in their risky behaviours. In order to prevent young people from developing this killer disease, urgent public health intervention programs need to be done. Top Keywords Head and Neck Cancer, Shisha, Tobacco, Alcohol, Oral Sex, HPV, Youth. Top |