Tobacco and betel nut use among school going adolescents of South Gujarat region, India: a cross sectional study

Background: Adolescence period is very crucial in the life of an individual, when major physical, psychological and behavioral changes take place. Tobacco and Areca nut use among school going adolescent is becoming a major public health problem. Objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of smokeless tobacco and betel nut use among school going adolescents.Methods: The study was a cross sectional study. After taking the permission of principal of Government high schools of Vadodara and Surat city of Gujarat and consent of the parents of adolescents, 1107 adolescents were interviewed during March-April 2017. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Thus collected data was analyzed using SPSS 17 (Trial Version).Results: Age of the study students (total 1107) ranged from 10-19 years. (Mean age=14.61'2.85 years). Out of 1107 children 389 (35.1%) children had addiction. Prevalence of any type of addiction in girls and boys was 14.3% and 20.7% respectively. Tobacco prevalence was 13.4% and betel nut prevalence was 21.6%. Type of addiction and its association with gender was highly significant. All children addicted to tobacco using chewing form (gutkha) of tobacco. The mean age group of children who consume tobacco and betel nut was 16.13'1.32 years and 16.01'1.21 years respectively. Most common reasons among adolescents for starting addiction of tobacco and betel nut was to look mature (93.8%) followed by to look good (63.2%) and to refresh breathe (48.6%).Conclusions: High prevalence of tobacco and betel nut use among adolescents needs attention of parents, teachers and health officials.

Association of oral pre-malignant lesions with the consumption of tobacco

Background: Tobacco consumption in the form of chewing and smoking is one of the biggest addictions. It causes various oral pre-malignant lesions which mainly include oral sub-mucous fibrosis (OSMF) caused by betel nut consumption and tobacco quid lesion, leukoplakia, erythroplakia and smoker's palate caused by chewing and smoking tobacco. Methods: The data about the past and present consumption of tobacco was collected from 909 individuals. Based on the tobacco habits, the oral cavity findings were assessed and the statistical analysis was carried out to find the significance of associations observed between tobacco consumption and lesions. Results: Out of 909 subjects, 537 were consuming tobacco, out of which 284 were chewers, 65 were smokers and 76 were consuming in both forms. Out of the 284 tobacco chewers, 43% had oral lesions (19.4% had OSMF and 21.5% had tobacco quid) as compared to just 1% of workers having oral lesions (OSMF) amongst those who had no addiction. There was a high prevalence of lesion in tobacco chewers (p<0.005). Out of total smokers, 15.8% had smoker's palate whereas no lesion was seen in the non-addicted workers. The odds of developing oral pre-malignant lesion are 43.62 times higher in exposed individuals. Conclusions: The tobacco consumption in any form is hazardous. Betel nut exposure causes more harmful effect which goes unnoticed. Awareness should be created about various lesions caused by tobacco as well as betel nut and special steps should be taken for early diagnosis and its treatment.

Tobacco use among school going children in Bihar, India

Tobacco use has become prevalent in India and nearly 15% of youth use tobacco in one or other form. However, very few studies have explored the use, knowledge about its hazard, and attitudes of tobacco use among youths. So, this study was done to determine the pattern of use as well as knowledge and perception of tobacco among students attending schools of 8th to 9th grad in Sasaram, Bihar. Methods: A cross sectional survey was performed among 515 students in the 8th and 9th grades in 8 schools in Sasaram, Bihar. The study period was from 1st January to 31st December, 2018. Results: Ever use of smokeless tobacco was reported by 31 (6.1%) students in the survey. 18 (3.5%) students reported ever using smoked tobacco. Students were more likely to identify cigarettes and bidis as tobacco products compared to smokeless tobacco products like gutkha and khaini. Betel nut products were used by 91 (17.7%) students. Conclusion: The high rate of smokeless tobacco and betel nut use along with less levels of knowledge about their contents and harms suggests that tobacco control programs of Government of India targeting youth should ensure that these products are adequately explained and understood by students all over India.

Smokeless tobacco use and perceptions of risk among students in Mumbai municipal schools.

INTRODUCTION: Nearly 15% of youth in India use tobacco. However, few studies have explored the use, knowledge, and attitudes of smokeless tobacco use among youth. AIM: To determine the patterns of use as well as knowledge and perceptions of smokeless tobacco among youth in Mumbai attending municipal schools. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross‑sectional survey was performed among 1053 students in the 8th and 9th grades in 16 municipal schools in Mumbai to determine the knowledge and perceptions about smokeless tobacco products as well as the patterns of use. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Ever use of smokeless tobacco was reported by 47 (4.7%) students in the survey. Twenty‑nine (2.9%) students reported ever using smoked tobacco. Students were more likely to identify cigarettes and bidis as tobacco products compared to smokeless tobacco products such as gutkha, mishri, and khaini. Betel nut products were used by 178 (17.9%) students. The high rate of smokeless tobacco and betel nut use coupled with low levels of knowledge about their contents and harms suggests that tobacco control programs targeting youth should ensure that these products are adequately explained and understood by students.

Epidemiological investigation of chewing fresh or dried betel nut and oral mucosal disease / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study was conducted to investigate the effect of chewing fresh or dried betel nut on the inci-dence and canceration of oral mucosa disease in Haikou City in Hainan Province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Through a survey questionnaire, clinical examination, and regular follow-up, we collected clinical data from 1 722 cases and divided them into two groups, among which 704 of the afflicted people chew dried betel nut, whereas the other 1 018 chew fresh betel nut. The data were 
statistically analyzed using different variables which included age, number, time of onset of the disease, and the cancerous condition associated with common oral mucosa disease, including oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), oral leukoplakia (OLK), and oral Lichen planus (OLP).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1) The study found no significant difference in the prevalence of oral mucosa diseases between the dried betel nut group (n=704) and fresh betel nut group (n=1 018) among the 1 722 cases (P>0.05), but the peak age of oral mucosal disease was more advanced in the dried betel nut group (P<0.01). 2) The incidence within 5 years of OSF, OLK, OLP, and oral mucosa diseases in the dried betel nut group was significantly higher than that in the fresh betel nut group (P<0.01). 3) The incidence of cancer for oral mucosa disease in patients included in the dried betel nut group was significantly higher than that in the fresh betel nut group (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Chewing dried betel nut is more pathogenic and carcinogenic than chewing fresh betel nut. The extremely harmful components of the dried betel nut synergistically play a vital role in the occurrence and carcinogenesis of oral mucosal diseases.</p>

Effects of Betel Nut Chewing on Lung Function of Students in the National Capital District, Papua New Guinea

The effect of betel (areca catechu) nut chewing on the function of the normal human lungs is yet to be fully established. However, it has been noted that chewing betel nut could aggravate acute attacks of asthma in asthmatic patients. A total of 77 students in the age group 19 to 25 years selected randomly in higher learning institutes in Port Moresby Papua New Guinea underwent spirometry tests. Of the 77 students, 34 (44.2%) were males and 43 (55.8%) were females. Out of the 34 male students, 24 (70.6%) were betel nut chewers and 10 (29.4%) were non chewers. Of the 43 female students, 26 (60.5%) were betel nut chewers and 17 (39.5%) were non chewers. There were no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) in the spirometry parameters between the chewers and non-chewers in both groups. However, negative correlations were observed between number of nuts chewed per day and FEV₁/FVC in female chewers and also between frequency of chewing and FEV₁ in male chewers.

Adverse effects on health posed by consumption of Areca nut (Areca catechu L., family: Palmaceae).

This review paper discusses the impact of areca nut (Betel nut) on human health. Small pieces of betel nut are generally use with betel leaf after meals in a day or on any festival. Areca nut seed contains bioactive components like alkaloids and tannins. It is known as salivary stimulating, digestive agents and act as antimicrobial effect against oral bacteria. Along with the few beneficial effects, it has some adverse effects on the human body. Need to enhance the awareness activities regarding the health concern due to consumption of areca nut.

Acute and chronic effects of betel nut quid chewing on the cardiovascular system and its role as a cardiovascular risk factor: a review

Betel nut quid chewing is a common cultural practice in the Asia-Pacific region. Much is known about betel quid and its association to pre-malignant and malignant lesions in the oral cavity but little is known about its link to other poor health comes. There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that betel nut quid chewing may play a role in the development of cardiovascular abnormalities in pre-disposed individuals. This review examines some of the current available literature suggesting betel nut quid chewing as cardiovascular risk factor.