Assessment of Knowledge, Awareness and Attitude towards Oral Precancer and Cancer among Narikuravar Population in Pondicherry State

Objective Literature revealed that oral health status and awareness about oral hygiene measures of Narikuravar tribes were very poor. There was also an increased prevalence of tobacco usage among this population. Considering this, incidence and prevalence of oral precancerous and cancerous lesions are expected to be high in this population. Surprisingly, the literature search revealed a lack of data on the awareness, knowledge, and prevalence of oral cancer and precancer in this group. The primary objective of this survey is to assess knowledge, awareness and attitude toward oral precancer and cancer among the Narikuravar tribal population in Pondicherry state.

Materials and Methods This questionnaire survey is a part of the Model for Oral Cancer Eradication project conducted among the Narikuravar population in Pondicherry, which is funded by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). A total of 153 participants were recruited for the survey. A prevalidated questionnaire was used for the survey.

Results The results indicated that 47% of the participants were aware of what is oral precancer and cancer. As much as 62% knew that chewing tobacco causes oral cancer and 44% thought that the growth of tissue in the mouth could be a sign of oral cancer. Almost 100% did not think that the presence of a red lesion, white lesion, or limitation of mouth opening could be signs of cancer or precancer. Only 16% thought that oral cancer is preventable.

Conclusion Awareness about oral cancer and precancer is inadequate among the Narikuravar population of Pondicherry. Majority of the population is not aware of the risks, signs, or treatment options of oral precancer and cancer. The National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) identified the people’s knowledge gaps, and improving awareness is one of the strategies of the program.

A study of lip prints among Pondicherry population

BACKGROUND

Cheiloscopy is a forensic investigation that deals with the examination of the system of furrows on the red part of human lips. Like fingerprint, lip print is also unique for every individual. But most of the crime-detecting agencies are unaware of the importance of lip print and it is not commonly attempted in identification of the suspects.

AIM

The aim of the present study is to determine the predominant lip print pattern among Pondicherry population, India, and also to determine its uniqueness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study comprised of 60 students (30 males and 30 females), aged from 17 to 25 years, from Pondicherry population, India. A dark-colored lipstick was applied with a single stroke and the students were asked to rub both the lips to spread the applied lipstick, after which a lip print was made on butter paper. The lip print was visualized with magnifying lens.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Percentage calculation method was used to identify the predominant lip pattern. One-sample T test was done to identify the statistical significance within the different types of lip pattern with P value <0.05.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The present study concludes that every individual has unique lip print and Type III appears to be the most predominant pattern in males, followed by the Type II, Type IV, Type I and Type V patterns. In females, Type II appears to be the most predominant pattern followed by the Type IV, Type I, Type III and Type V patterns.

Palatal rugoscopy among Puducherry population

BACKGROUND

Human identification is one of the most challenging subjects that man has been confronted with. The fingerprints and DNA comparison are the most commonly used techniques in human identification. Palatoscopy is one of the recently developing methods to identify a victim-based on the palatal rugae pattern.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to analyze the different rugae pattern in Puducherry population and to find whether palatoscopy is a useful tool in human identification and sex determination.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The studies consist of 100 male and female patients between the age group of 20 to 35 years. The rugae pattern was divided assessed based on Kotze classification. Chi-square test and one-way analysis was used to study the statistical significance.

RESULTS

Wavy pattern appeared to be the most predominant pattern followed by curved, straight, branched and circular pattern in both male and female patients. The shape and number of rugae pattern is similar in male and females.

CONCLUSION

The present study concludes that wavy pattern appear to be most common rugae pattern among Puducherry population. No significant difference in rugae pattern was noted among the male and female group. Rugae pattern is unique to each individual and can be an effective tool in human identification.