Areca Nut Consumption Patterns Among Primary School Children of Karachi
Keywords:
areca nut, chewing patterns, schoolchildrenAbstract
Background: Areca nut is consumed extensively throughout the world with significant public health and oral implications. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and pattern of areca nut consumption in primary school children of Karachi city.
Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted amongst schoolchildren (age = 6 to 12 years) of Karachi city employing two-stage sampling technique. Information regarding participants' demographics and areca nut chewing pattern were collected and recorded by a single trained examiner. SPSS 17 was used for descriptive and univariate logistic regression analysis.
Results: Results showed that out of the total [N= 600; male (52%), female (48%)] areca nut chewing was found more prevalent in males (64.6%) throughout the range of 6-12 years. Almost half of these children adapted this habit under peer influence (47%). Negative media influence [p-value <0.001, OR=28.981, CI=14.543-57.750] was identified as the most influencing factor for these children in taking up the habit of areca nut chewing. Other factors identified were low maternal education [p-value <0.001, OR=3.920, CI=1.731-8.875], poor awareness of the children [p-value <0.001, OR=2.414, CI=1.620-3.598], no restriction in school premises [p-value <0.006, OR=2.012, CI=1.224-3.310] and the sweet pleasant taste of areca nut [p-value <0.006, OR=1.97, CI=0.062-
0.629].
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