Abstract
Objective
Tobacco use in both smokeless and smoked forms is a very common addiction in India, with high prevalence in northern India. The relationship between tobacco consumption and oral mucosal changes and ulceration is not well documented and studied in the literature. The aim of this study is to explore the extent of tobacco use and its relationship with the development of mouth ulcers.
Methods
Cross-sectional health camps were organized through community outreach for a previously unscreened population in the Braj region in Uttar Pradesh, India. A total of 2053 individuals were screened for common health-related issues in 20 camps covering 4 districts. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the independent factors related to tobacco use-related mucosal changes and oral ulceration.
Results
The average age of the screened population was 43.5 years; the majority belonged to the 35–54-year-old age group. Any form of tobacco use was reported as 20.8% (95% CI: 19.2–22.7), and independently smoking and chewing were 11.3% and 13.1%, respectively. Prevalence of tobacco use was significantly higher among males than females (34.9% vs. 6.1%; p < 0.0001). Increasing age and use of alcohol and betel nut were significantly associated with tobacco consumption. Further, age (34–54 years), use of either kind of tobacco as well as combined use of smoking, tobacco chewing and betel nut were significantly related to mouth ulcers and mucosal changes.
Conclusion
A substantial population in the region, more so in the young age group, was using one of the forms of tobacco. Despite certain policy efforts, the prevalence of tobacco consumption has not decreased over time. Effective measures and proper advocacy need to be undertaken urgently to control the tobacco menace in India.
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Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to Ms. Niira Radia and Dr. R.K. Mani for their support and valuable suggestions during the study. We also would like to acknowledge Mr. Akash Radia, Col Suresh Bhatt and Ms. Mamata Dasgupta and the outreach team for data collection and its compilation. The present study was based on screening camps funded by Nayati Healthcare and Research Center under their outreach program of the social responsibility program. However, the funders had no role in the writing and submission of the manuscript.
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Chaudhuri, S., Dey, S., Awasthi, A. et al. Does tobacco addiction relate to oral mucosal changes? An epidemiological study from North India. J Public Health 25, 257–266 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-017-0787-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-017-0787-2