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

ABSTRACT

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.