Oral health disparities among privileged and underprivileged tribes of South India - a study on precancerous oral lesions prevalence

Abstract

Background: The tribal populations throughout India have remained socially and culturally alienated from mainstream Indian society until developmental and conservation activities in tribal areas forced interactions between them. Precancerous oral lesion is a major public health problem among South Indian tribes in Kerala state. The aim of this study was to explore oral health disparities among the underprivileged Paniya and the privileged Kurichiya tribes of Way anad, South India from the Precancerous oral lesions perspective. Methods: A cross sectional survey was done among 600 Kurichiya and 400 Paniya tribal populations of Way a nad District, India from January 2013 to June 2013 after approval from the Institutional ethical committee. A pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect Da ta regarding study variables. Oral health survey form was used to record the oromucosal status of the study population after obtaining informed consent. Results: In this study Precancerous oral lesions was found to be far more prevalent among the underprivileged Paniyas than among the privileged Kurichiyas (P < 0.0001). The prevalence of leukoplakia was found to be 42% amongst the Paniyas. This was much higher than the 2% found among the Kurichiyas. Among the Paniyas a statistically significant relationship was observed between Precancerous oral lesions and poor access to oral health care (P< 0.001). Conclusions: Oral cancer and precancerous oral lesions were at a very high among underprivileged Paniya community. Prevalence of precancerous oral lesions in the study population was due to tobacco usage and alcohol consumption and lack of awareness regarding the deleterious effects of the products used. Regular oral examination by dental professionals, dental health education and motivation to maintain oral hygiene should be insisted to improve the oral health status of this community.