Prevalence of oral precancerous lesions and conditions among tobacco consumers in rural population around Belgaum. A community based cross sectional study.

Abstract

Background: Oral cancer is the 6th most common cancer in the world.2/3rd cases are contributed by the developing countries. India alone accounts for 1/3rd of the world's oral cancer and has a high rate of pre-malignant lesions. Most common predisposing factors are smoking, smokeless tobacco, betel nut in quid form (pan), alcohol, spicy food, sharp broken tooth. These lesions and conditions are considered suitable for screening as they have potential to change to cancer. Most of the screening services are available at hospitals; there is scarcity of screening services at the community level. Objective: to know the prevalence of oral precancerous lesions and conditions among tobacco consumers. Materials and Method: Study design: community based cross sectional study. Area: rural field practice area of JNMC. Study period: 5 months (July to Nov 2012) Sample size: 840 participants recruited by systematic random sampling method. Data collection: examined by visual examination. Data regarding age, sex, educational status, income, habits related to use of alcohol/tobacco were collected using pretested questionnaire. Results: 46% of the participants belonged to age of 20-30 years. Nearly 32 % were labours who worked in the industries, small factories. Among these 840participants232 were tobacco consumers. 87% were smokeless tobacco users and among them 37% had different oral lesions. Prevalence of precancerous lesion and condition was 51.21%. Significant association was seen with type of tobacco used. Conclusion: The habit of tobacco chewing and smoking showed a statistically significant association to with oral lesions which were common in younger age group. Close follow up and systematic evaluation is required. There is an urgent need for awareness programs involving the community health workers, dentists and allied medical professionals.