RESUMO
The objective was to study the prevalence of areca nut [Chalia] eating habits and its effects on the incidence of oral submucosal fibrosis [OSF] among school children. A prospective cross-sectional survey was conducted in schools with a sample size of 1092. All children aged between 6-15 years were included in the study. The cases were diagnosed clinically by a single examiner for the presence of OSF. A questionnaire based on areca nut eating habit got filled. Yates corrected Chi-Square Test was applied between the incidence of oral submucosal fibrosis [OSF] and the frequency, duration and severity of symptoms. One thousand ninety two [1092] children were surveyed with males 66.5%. A total of 79.6% of children reported areca nut eating habit. The incidence of oral submucosal Fibrosis was 6.6% in school children. Majority of subjects chewed 1-3 sachets daily of areca nut [43.6%]. Subjects with 1-6 months duration of habit were 47.1%. There exists a relationship between the frequency and duration of areca nut eating habits with the presence and severity of symptoms of oral submucosal fibrosis [p=0.001]. Areca nut eating habit is increasingly becoming prevalent among lower age group of school children. There exists significant relationship between the frequency and duration of areca nut eating habits with the incidence of oral submucosal fibrosis among school children [p=0.001]