Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the socioeconomic profile and social habits of oral cancer patients and those of control subjects in order to investigate the relative importance of these risk factors in the occurrence of oral cancer.
Study design: Thirty-two histologically diagnosed oral carcinoma patients and 30 normal patients were recruited at the dental centre University College Hospital, Ibadan. A 33-item questionnaire was administered to the two groups. The data obtained was analyzed using student t test and chi square as appropriate as well as odds ratio.
Results: Incomes less than 50,000 naira per annum, absence of fruit in every diet and tobacco use, were associated with 5.7, 3.0 and 4.05 increased risk of oral cancer respectively.
Conclusion: Low income, fruit depleted diet and tobacco use seems to be the most important risk factors for oral cancer development in the studied environment.