A Quasi Experimental Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme on Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Prevention of Oral Cancer among the Students of Higher Secondary in Selected Schools of Jalandhar, Punjab 2015

Oral cancer or mouth cancer is one of the leading cancers in the world. It is a cancer that occurs in any part of the mouth; on the tongue's surface, in the lips, inside the cheeks, in the gums, in the roof and floor of the mouth, in the tonsils, and also in the salivary glands. Most persons have no detectable symptoms during the early stages of oral cancer. When signs and symptoms do appear, they typically include: Patches on the lining of the mouth or tongue, usually red or red and white in colour, mouth ulcers that do not go away, a sore that does not heal, pain when swallowing, jaw pain, jaw stiffness etc. The main aim of the study is to enhance the knowledge and attitude regarding prevention of oral cancer among the students of higher secondary by providing structured teaching programme. For this study, a quasi experimental research design was used. The study was conducted on 160 samples of students. Every sample was selected by stratified random sampling technique. As age, gender and class was kept as strata. The study was conducted in PAP Government Senior Secondary school, Victor Model school, Government Senior Secondary school Ladhewali and Saint Soldier Public school. Data was collected by socio-demographic variables, self structured knowledge and attitude questionnaire. Collected data was analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Tables and Bar diagrams were used to depict the findings. The pre test mean knowledge score was 12.21 and the pre test mean attitude score was 33.12 where as the post test mean knowledge score was 20.04 and post test attitude score was 34.02. The difference between pre test and post test mean knowledge score regarding prevention of oral cancer was statistically significant. The t_cal 24.072 < t_table 1.97 at p < 0.05. The difference between pre test and post test attitude score regarding prevention of oral cancer was statistically significant. The t_cal 05.012 < t_table 1.97 at p<0.05. So, it indicates that structured teaching programme had significant impact on knowledge and attitude of students regarding prevention of oral cancer.