Health Implications of Tobacco and Betel Quid Chewing–an Etiological Survey in The Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh, India

S. Sivaprasad; E. Bhuvanewari; R. Usha; P. Anitha

Volume : IV, Issue : XI, November - 2014

Health Implications of Tobacco and Betel Quid Chewing–an Etiological Survey in The Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh, India

S. Sivaprasad, E. Bhuvanewari, R. Usha, P. Anitha

Abstract :

The health implications of tobacco and betel quid chewing were investigated through an etiological survey in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The sample survey, carried out on 305 individuals, has revealed that both tobacco chewing and betel quid chewing habits are common among women (~ 81%) and rural people (92%). The study highlighted that 60% of the people suffer from knee&ndash;joint pains, ~23% from dental disorders, ~18% from gastro&ndash;enteric disorders, ~7% from diabetes, 5% from respiratory disorders, ~3% from heart problems, 2% from urinary disorders and less than 1% from the mental disorders. Most of the disorders are found in tobacco chewers (48 to 74%) and non&ndash;chewers (29 to 52%), while their prevalence is significantly low in betel quid chewers (zero to 11%). The study recommends that limited chewing of betel quid is good for health and keeps people away from routine health ailments.