ABSTRACT
Background: Tobacco consumption in various forms in recent years is a proven risk factor and contributes substantially to the emerging epidemic. Increasing tobacco use and its impact on physical and psychosocial health is a worldwide public health concern affecting the early youth and whole life of the individuals. Tobacco is used in different forms and health effects are seen irrespective of the form in which it is used. Smokeless tobacco is found to be as addictive and harmful as smoking. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and factors influencing smokeless consumption among high school students in Raipur city. Methods: Study design: Cross-sectional, Study area: 16 selected high schools of Raipur city, in which 12 were government schools and 4 private schools. Study subjects: 1006 high-school students, Sampling technique: Two stage cluster sampling according to probability proportional to size, Study tool: Predesigned pretested questionnaire. Statistical analysis: Data was entered in Microsoft excel sheet and analyzed in Epi info 7 software. Results: The mean age of students in the study was 15 years. The prevalence of smokeless tobacco consumption was 10%. Majority male 80.9% were users, mean age of initiation was 13 years (SD 7.07), Peer pressure (76%) was the reason for initiation. Pocket money 57.1% found to be the major source of purchasing. Strong association of family member tobacco use and promotional advertisement were found. Conclusion: Study reflects smokeless tobacco use was prevalent among adolescent students and there is a need for targeted interventions to reduce the risk and deleterious consequences.
ABSTRACT
Introduction : Probiotics represent an area in which bacterial interaction with the hosts is being put to practical and therapeutic use. The mechanism of action of probiotics is related to its ability to compete with pathogenic microorganisms for adhesion sites, to antagonize these pathogens or to modulate the host's immune response. Therefore, changing the actual composition of plaque from an inflammatory cytokine-rich environment to a more benign environment dominated by neutral or even helpful organisms can contribute to overall systemic health.Objective: This non systematic review summarizes the currently available data on the potential benefits of probiotics for periodontal health. Literature review: Current and relevant references were selected in order to summarize the studies conducted so far on probiotics in preventing and treating oral infections. Conclusion: Probiotics as a treatment modality deserves to be explored further with long term studies with specific focus on its role in prevention.