ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF ESOPHAGUS CANCER AMONG SCIENCE STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITY OF BALOCHISTAN, QUETTA

Aims & Objectives: The aims and objectives of this study was too aware and give knowledge to healthy university student from the risk factor of esophagus cancer because the risk factor of the esophagus cancer is very common include smoking, drinking alcohol, having a low diet in fruits and vegetable, obesity, poor oral hygiene, canned food, used of food at high temperature UV (ultra violet) rays. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in university of Baluchistan (Quetta) among science students. The duration of study was March to September 2016. The study technique for sampling was stratified convenient technique. The tool for study was Questionnaire. The total number of the sample size for the study was 440 among which 137 was discarded due to respondents poor knowledge about esophagus cancer. Results: majority of the students (62.7%) have age range between 21-25 years. Majority of the students (55.1%) were males. Majority of the students (42.2%) were of first year students. Majority of the students (39.9%) know that Esophagus cancer is more common in males than females. Majority of the students (56.4%) know that Excessive intake of hot drinks is a risk factor for esophagus cancer. Majority of the students (40.3%) know that low intake of fruits and vegetable are risk factor for esophagus cancer. Majority of the students (49.5%) know that used of canned food is risk factors for esophagus cancer. majority of the students (59.1) have poor knowledge about esophagus cancer. Conclusions: Knowledge and Awareness of esophagus cancer, its risk factor, sign & symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, complications, and prevention was very low among science students in university of Baluchistan, (Quetta).