Dental Caries and Oral Health Status of Psychoactive Substance Abusers

Substance-abuse disorders are universally associated with comorbid illness. Tobacco is a widely abused substance across the globe and presents a critical public health problem. The precise correlation between tobacco use and dental caries remains unclear. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the correlation between tobacco use and dental caries.

METHODOLOGY

Based on selection criteria, a total of 270 (age 20-50 years) participants were included in the study, and were categorized as group A (n = 135), consisting of tobacco users, and group B (n = 135), comprising healthy controls (non-users). The Decayed, Missing, and Filled index (DMFT) was used to measure caries status. The Simplified Oral Hygiene index was used to evaluate oral health.

RESULTS

The tobacco group reported the use of cigarettes; smokeless tobacco in indigenous forms, such as gutka (areca nut, tobacco, and slaked lime), betel nut chewing; and a combination. Individuals with tobacco habits had a higher prevalence of dental caries (Mean DMFT 4.73 ± 4.32) compared to the non-habit group (Mean DMFT 3.17 ± 3.11 (p = 0.001). The Oral Hygiene index was significantly higher (indicating bad/poor oral hygiene) in tobacco abusers than those of non-users (p = 0.0001). Duration and frequency of tobacco use were correlated with the levels of moderate and severe caries (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Psychoactive substance abuse, such as smoking/smokeless tobacco consumption, is associated with higher prevalence of dental caries.

Evaluation of Various Factors Which Motivate Children in Ashram Schools of Central India Region to Consume Tobacco Products

Background

Tobacco is consumed in myriad forms in India. The rural population has to bear the brunt of smokeless tobacco products. This leads to several complications. More so, among the rural population, this habit comes into practice at a very young age.

Aims and objectives

To determine the prevalence of consumption of tobacco products among young adolescents, at the same time to evaluate the psychological motivation factors for the same.

Materials and methods

A sample of 2,000 students of the ashram schools was given a detailed questionnaire which included the questions regarding accessibility, liking, source of motivation, and fear of health hazards.

Statistical analysis

The statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS version 22, Armonk, NY: IBM Corp). Depending on the nature of the data, descriptive statistics were performed to assess the prevalence of tobacco consumption and motivational factors associated with it.

Results

The prevalence of tobacco consumption among children was 37.2%. Fifty-one percent of the tobacco users consumed kharra (a mixture of tobacco, lime, areca nut). Forty percent of the tobacco users began using tobacco after the age of 10 years. For 65% of the individuals’ tobacco products were easily accessible.

Conclusion

With the findings of the study, it can be concluded that the easy accessibility to the products in the rural areas is responsible for the children to indulge in such a harmful habit.

Clinical significance

This study focused on the factors that motivate the school-going children in the ashram schools to consumption of various tobacco products. This can give a clear insight as to what measures need to be taken to curb such a problem.

How to cite this article

Sharma P, Kalaskar R. Evaluation of Various Factors Which Motivate Children in Ashram Schools of Central India Region to Consume Tobacco Products. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(4):554–557.

Burden of smoked and smokeless tobacco consumption in India - results from the Global adult Tobacco Survey India (GATS-India)- 2009-201

BACKGROUND

The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) was carried out for systematically monitoring tobacco use and for tracking key tobacco control indicators.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 70,802 households, including 42,647 in rural areas and 28,155 in urban areas, were covered with a three stage sampling design. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practices of tobacco consumption.

RESULTS

GATS-India highlighted that total tobacco use among its residents is overall 34.6%, varying for males (47.9%) and females (20.7%). The rural areas of the country exhibit comparatively higher prevalence rates (38.4%) in comparison to urban areas (25.3%). Overall, Khaini, a smokeless tobacco product (12.0%), is the most popular form of tobacco use among males and females, followed by bidi smoking (9.0%).

CONCLUSION

Results of GATS data can be used as baseline for evaluation of new tobacco control approaches in India integrating culturally acceptable and cost effective measures.

Epidemiology of cancer from the oral cavity and oropharynx

The classification of sites in tumors of the oral cavity, oropharynx, pharynx, and hypopharynx varies in the literature. More than 90% of these tumors of the mucosal lining are classified as squamous cell carcinoma developed from premalignant lesions such as leukoplakia and erythroleukoplakia. These carcinomas are associated to environmental and lifestyle risk factors, among which tobacco and alcohol play a major role. In addition to tobacco smoking, tobacco chewing is another risk factor as well as chewing betel quid and areca nut in Asia. Certain strains of virus, such as the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus, also play a carcinogenetic role. The temporal trends in incidence of these tumors relate to environmental factors; there is an increase in tendency in countries without prevention and a decrease in countries having an active policy of prevention of alcohol and tobacco consumption. In contrast, an increased incidence occurs in the world at tumor sites related to human papilloma virus infection in relation to changes in sexual habits.

Cutaneous markers of coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is rapidly increasing in prevalence across the world and particularly in south Asians at a relatively younger age. As atherosclerosis starts in early childhood, the process of risk evaluation must start quite early. The present review addresses the issue of cutaneous markers associated with atherosclerosis, and the strengths and weaknesses of the markers in identifying early coronary atherosclerosis. A diligent search for such clinical markers, namely xanthelasma, xanthoma, arcus juvenilis, acanthosis nigricans, skin tags, ear lobe crease, nicotine stains, premature graying in smokers, hyperpigmented hands in betel quid sellers, central obesity, and signs of peripheral vascular disease may prove to be a rewarding exercise in identifying asymptomatic CAD in high risk individuals.

Movies and TV influence tobacco use in India: findings from a national survey

BACKGROUND

Exposure to mass media may impact the use of tobacco, a major source of illness and death in India. The objective is to test the association of self-reported tobacco smoking and chewing with frequency of use of four types of mass media: newspapers, radio, television, and movies.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

We analyzed data from a sex-stratified nationally-representative cross-sectional survey of 123,768 women and 74,068 men in India. All models controlled for wealth, education, caste, occupation, urbanicity, religion, marital status, and age. In fully-adjusted models, monthly cinema attendance is associated with increased smoking among women (relative risk [RR]: 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-2.31) and men (RR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.12-1.23) and increased tobacco chewing among men (RR: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.11-1.20). Daily television and radio use is associated with higher likelihood of tobacco chewing among men and women, while daily newspaper use is related to lower likelihood of tobacco chewing among women.

CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE

In India, exposure to visual mass media may contribute to increased tobacco consumption in men and women, while newspaper use may suppress the use of tobacco chewing in women. Future studies should investigate the role that different types of media content and media play in influencing other health behaviors.