Usage of betel quid, areca nut, tobacco, alcohol and level of awareness towards their adverse effects on health in a north Indian rural population.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the overall prevalence of betel quid, areca nut, tobacco and alcohol use in the rural population of Muradnagar tehsil of Ghaziabad district and their awareness level towards adverse effects of these habits on general as well as oral health.

METHODS

A total of 422 persons from 63 households of four (4) villages were enrolled for the participation in the study. A preformed, pretested questionnaire was used to collect the information on prevalence of risk behaviours of chewing tobacco, areca nut, betel quid, smoking and alcohol consumption.

RESULTS

72.5% of respondents reported indulgence in one or more habits of chewing areca nut, betel quid, tobacco, smoking and alcohol consumption. Smoking tobacco was the most common type of adverse habit in males while chewing tobacco in females. 26% of respondents believed that the community residents would quit the habit only if they personally experience any health problem due to the habit.

CONCLUSIONS

In spite of being aware of risk of having multiple health problems, a major proportion of respondents were using betel quid, areca nut, tobacco and alcohol.