The prevalence of betel-quid and tobacco chewing among the Bangladeshi community resident in a United Kingdom area of multiple deprivation.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

This study set out to examine the prevalence of betel-quid chewing with or without the inclusion of tobacco and to provide baseline information on the experience, behaviour and perceptions of risk of first generation Bangladeshi adults.

POPULATION STUDIED

A total of 127 households, which formed the sample base for this study, were selected by a systematic sampling procedure. Each household was visited by two interviewers and all adults resident in the home were asked to participate in the study.

METHOD

A pretested questionnaire which explored the use, attitudes, knowledge of the health risk, and behaviour towards betel-quid chewing and the use of tobacco was used.

FINDINGS

A total of 92% of males and 96% of females chewed betel-quid on a daily basis with 39% and 82% respectively including tobacco within their quid. There was a general acceptance of the use of tobacco, that is, males on the whole, smoking and females chewing tobacco. The perception of health risk, with regard to tobacco chewing, was low.

CONCLUSION

The general acceptance of tobacco use and low perceived health risk in those engaged in tobacco chewing is a major concern that health professionals involved in health education need to address. General dental practitioners should be aware there is a high level of use in this community.