Stigma and related influencing factors in postoperative oral cancer patients in China: a cross-sectional study

Purpose: To examine the level of stigma and identify its influencing factors among postoperative oral cancer patients in China.

Methods: In total, 274 postoperative oral cancer patients were recruited from a Grade A Tertiary Hospital in China using convenience sampling methods. Patients completed the Social Impact Scale (SIS), Medical Coping Mode Questionnaire (MCMQ), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and General Self-efficacy Scale (GSE).

Results: Stigma reported by postoperative oral cancer patients was moderate (50.17 ± 21.24). Stepped multiple linear regression showed that the related factors influencing their feelings of stigma were educational level (β = - 0.110, P = 0.001), smoking (β = - 0.152, P < 0.001), betel quid (β = - 0.120, P = 0.001), tumor location (β = - 0.390, P < 0.001), tumor stage (β = 0.219, P < 0.001), self-efficacy (β = - 0.253, P < 0.001), and confrontation (β = - 0.117, P = 0.001) and avoidance (β = 0.123, P < 0.001), which explained 74.2% of the total variation in stigma (F = 99.378, P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Stigma was positively predicted by tumor stage and avoidance but negatively predicted by education level, smoking, betel quid, tumor location, confrontation, and self-efficacy. Further work should focus on developing interventions to reduce stigma by improving protective factors and decreasing risk factors.