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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · South Asian J Cancer 2024; 13(01): 004-009
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1761442
Review Article
International

Prevalence, Habit Pattern, and Awareness on Harmful Effects of Tobacco/Areca Nut Use among Patients Visiting a Tertiary Care Center in Sri Lanka

S.P. Kalpana Jeewanthi Subasinghe 
1   Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
,
Pilana Vithanage Kalani Shihanika Hettiarachchi 
1   Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
,
Ruwan Duminda Jayasinghe 
1   Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
2   Center for Research in Oral Cancer, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
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Abstract

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S.P. Kalpana Jeewanthi Subasinghe

Background The carcinogenicity of tobacco and areca nut is well established worldwide. Areca nut is the fourth most common psychoactive substance identified recently. The effects of areca nut on the autonomic nervous system make the users dependent on the habit which has been an emerging health issue among Sri Lankan adults and adolescents. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and patterns of these risk habits among the patients attending a tertiary care center in Sri Lanka, and their awareness of the harmful effects of the habit.

Method A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 512 patients using an interviewer-administered questionnaire.

Results The sample consisted of 167 (33%) tobacco consumers. The average age of the initiation of tobacco consumption was 23.66 years (standard deviation ± 8.04). Age (p = 0.001), gender (p = 0.001), income (p = 0.005), and educational level (p = 0.001) are significantly associated with tobacco consumption. There is a strong likelihood for tobacco consumers to consume areca nut (odds ratio [OR] 30.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] 17.05–54.88) and alcohol (OR 11.16, 95% CI 6.91–17.98) at any stage in their lives. The majority of the tobacco consumers (61%) were smokeless tobacco users. Areca nut consumers are 0.44 times more likely to know its carcinogenic effects than nonconsumers (95% CI 0.28–0.69). Tobacco consumers are more likely to be aware of the harmful effects of tobacco consumption than nonconsumers (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.45–2.74). Sixty percent have made at least one attempt to quit the habit. Sixty-two percent of the unsuccessful quitters reported the reason as “addiction.”

Conclusion Prevalence of smokeless tobacco consumption prevails at a high level among Sri Lankans. Tobacco and areca nut users are more likely to be aware of its harmful effects than the nonconsumers but unable to quit the habit due to the psychoactive properties of tobacco and areca nut.

Keywords

tobacco - areca nut - psychoactive - cancer burden - Sri Lankan adults - dental setup

Ethical Approval

This research has been granted ethical clearance from the Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.




Publication History

Article published online:
02 March 2023

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