Wang Su-Chen, Tsai Chi-Cheng, Huang Shun-Te, Hong Yu-Jue
Graduate Institute of Dental Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, No.100, Shih-Chuan 1st St., Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan, ROC.
Public Health. 2003 Sep;117(5):339-45. doi: 10.1016/S0033-3506(03)00082-9.
To investigate the prevalence of betel nut chewing and related factors among adolescent students in general, manufacturing, commercial, agricultural and medical technology schools in Taiwan. To make suggestions regarding how health authorities can reduce the number of students taking up the habit.
A cross-sectional survey was designed, and 10,288 students answered the questionnaire.
Significantly more male than female students were betel nut chewers. The less urbanized areas were also associated with a higher prevalence of the habit. The prevalence of the habit grew with increasing age. By analysing betel nut chewing behaviour, it was found that most students started chewing betel nuts because of curiosity, and most obtained betel nuts from their friends and classmates. Betel nut chewing behaviour is definitely related to peer pressure. Most betel nut chewers did not realize that withdrawal could lead to physiological reactions, and they were ignorant of any risk to health even though they were compulsive betel nut chewers. The health-harming behaviours of both smoking and drinking were found in many betel nut chewers, particularly smoking.
This study confirmed the need for a health education programme dealing with the health risks of betel nut chewing for students at risk. The health authorities could also develop a programme for betel nut chewing among Taiwan's adolescent students, emphasizing the dangers of this habit.
调查台湾普通中学、职业学校（制造业、商业、农业及医学技术类）青少年学生嚼槟榔的流行情况及相关因素。就卫生当局如何减少学生养成此习惯提出建议。
设计一项横断面调查，10288名学生回答了问卷。
嚼槟榔的男生明显多于女生。城市化程度较低的地区嚼槟榔的流行率也较高。该习惯的流行率随年龄增长而上升。通过分析嚼槟榔行为发现，大多数学生开始嚼槟榔是出于好奇，且大多数从朋友和同学处获得槟榔。嚼槟榔行为肯定与同伴压力有关。大多数嚼槟榔者未意识到戒除会导致生理反应，即便他们是强迫性嚼槟榔者，也对健康风险一无所知。许多嚼槟榔者存在吸烟和饮酒等危害健康的行为，尤其是吸烟。
本研究证实有必要为有风险的学生开展关于嚼槟榔健康风险的健康教育项目。卫生当局还可为台湾青少年学生制定一项关于嚼槟榔的项目，强调此习惯的危害。
