The prevalence of use of areca nut and its effect on oral health in school going children in Gadap Town, Malir, Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Areca nut chewing in different forms is getting more prevalent among the south Asian inhabitants. Its uses are progressing from adults to adolescents and especially its frequent use among the school going children. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of areca nut chewing and its effect on the oral health of school going children. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study using a close ended questionnaire was conducted to collect the data from the school going children of Gadap town, Malir, Karachi. A random sample of 285 students (n = 285) were examined. The research instrument was self-structured close ended questionnaire. The questionnaire contained questions regarding the knowledge and consequences of chewing areca nut, its products and its effect on their oral health. The questionnaires were administered to the students in their respective classes and the filled questionnaires were collected on the same day. Chi-square test was used for differences in frequencies among the types of areca nut, practices of using areca nut and gender variables. Stata 11 was used for data analysis. Total number of 285 children were surveyed. Results: There were 75.09% boys and 24.91% girls, mean age of the students was 6.23 (1.05). The range of the students was 4 to 8 years. The frequency of using areca nut and products containing areca nut in our study was 77.9%. There were 60.35% students both male and female who were identified to gutkha chewing habit. Frequency of consumption of chewing areca nut made products increases as the age’s increases. The 74.38% respondents were suffering from oral lesions. Conclusion: Chewing of areca nut and products containing areca nut is prevailing in rural areas especially among the lower age group of school going children. Both genders are equally and frequently use areca nut as habit.