Anzil Ks Ali1, Arshad Mohammed2, Archana A Thomas3, Shann Paul4, M Shahul5, K Kasim6. 1. Department of Public Health Dentistry, St. Gregorios Dental College, Chelad, Ernakulam, Kerala, India, e-mail: anzilksali@gmail.com. 2. Department of Public Health Dentistry, Kannur Dental College Anjarakandy, Kannur, Kerala, India. 3. Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, St. Gregorios Dental College, Chelad, Ernakulam, Kerala, India. 4. Department of Public Health Dentistry, St. Gregorios Dental College, Chelad, Ernakulam, Kerala, India. 5. Department of Surgical Diagnostics Sciences, College of Dentistry, Dar Al Uloom University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 6. Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Kannur Dental College, Kannur, Kerala, India.
Abstract
AIM: The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of tobacco use and associated oral mucosal lesions among construction workers of Cochin, Kerala, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried at various construction sites of Cochin and 2,163 workers were selected using multistage sampling method and were interviewed and examined. Information regarding demographic details, form, type, frequency of tobacco use, earlier attempt to quit, and willingness to quit tobacco use was obtained using predesigned questionnaire. The oral health status was recorded on the World Health Organization oral health assessment form 1997, and the examination was carried out under natural light using mouth mirrors and probe. Data thus collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 17 (Chicago, Illinois, USA) statistical software package. Chi-square test was applied. RESULTS: Among the 2,163 workers, 1,952 were tobacco users and 211 were nonusers. Among the users, 1,021 use smokeless form, 372 use smoked form, and 559 use both. Premalignant lesions/conditions were more commonly seen with tobacco habit, with leukoplakia (14.75%) being the most common followed by oral submucous fibrosis in 201 (9.3%), candidiasis in 123 (5.7%), ulceration in 131 (6.05%), abscess in 59 (2.73%), smokers palate in 58 (2.68%), lichen planus in 21 (0.97%), and malignant tumor in 2 (0.1%). CONCLUSION: Commonness of abusive habits and oral premalig-nant lesions or conditions was considerable among the workers. Control and early diagnosis through workplace screening are the major backbones for the control of oral cancer. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Building workers are unprotected from various health hazards at workplace. Lack of access to health services makes the situation unsatisfactory. Poor literacy and low socioeconomic status have resulted in practice of tobacco, smoking, and chewing in the majority of them. Hence, it is our responsibility to find and guide them with a proper oral health education.
AIM: The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of tobacco use and associated oral mucosal lesions among construction workers of Cochin, Kerala, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried at various construction sites of Cochin and 2,163 workers were selected using multistage sampling method and were interviewed and examined. Information regarding demographic details, form, type, frequency of tobacco use, earlier attempt to quit, and willingness to quit tobacco use was obtained using predesigned questionnaire. The oral health status was recorded on the World Health Organization oral health assessment form 1997, and the examination was carried out under natural light using mouth mirrors and probe. Data thus collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 17 (Chicago, Illinois, USA) statistical software package. Chi-square test was applied. RESULTS: Among the 2,163 workers, 1,952 were tobacco users and 211 were nonusers. Among the users, 1,021 use smokeless form, 372 use smoked form, and 559 use both. Premalignant lesions/conditions were more commonly seen with tobacco habit, with leukoplakia (14.75%) being the most common followed by oral submucous fibrosis in 201 (9.3%), candidiasis in 123 (5.7%), ulceration in 131 (6.05%), abscess in 59 (2.73%), smokers palate in 58 (2.68%), lichen planus in 21 (0.97%), and malignant tumor in 2 (0.1%). CONCLUSION: Commonness of abusive habits and oral premalig-nant lesions or conditions was considerable among the workers. Control and early diagnosis through workplace screening are the major backbones for the control of oral cancer. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Building workers are unprotected from various health hazards at workplace. Lack of access to health services makes the situation unsatisfactory. Poor literacy and low socioeconomic status have resulted in practice of tobacco, smoking, and chewing in the majority of them. Hence, it is our responsibility to find and guide them with a proper oral health education.
Entities:
Keywords:
Cochin; Construction workers; Migrant workers Tobacco users.
Authors: Sree Sucharitha Tirukkovalluri; Balaji Arumugam; N Gunasekharan; E Suganya; T Akhshaya Ponsuba; Divyadharshini S Journal: J Family Med Prim Care Date: 2020-04-30
Authors: Sree S Tirukkovalluri; C P Luck; R L S Makesh; P T Akhshaya; A Radhakrishnan; R C Karthick; Balaji Arumugam; N Gunasekaran; Sudhanshu R Patwardhan Journal: J Family Med Prim Care Date: 2020-09-30