The prevalence of oral pain was high among these children, and had a considerable impact on both the children and their parents.

Objective: To determine the factors associated with sugar-sweetened soft drink consumption in adolescents from Sri Lanka. Design: A cross-sectional study where the data were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Conclusions: The majority of adolescents in this sample consumed sugar-sweetened beverages once weekly or more often. It was evident that some sociodemographic factors were associated with the consumption of these drinks. Keywords Soft drinks Adolescents Sri LankaEvidence indicates that the consumption of soft drinks is increasing worldwide. Compared with 2009, the global consumption of soft drinks increased by 4 % in 2010 with a per capita consumption of 81 litres. The highest growth in the soft drinks market in the year 2010 was observed in Asia, with India and China reporting growth rates of 16 % and 14 % respectively (1) . Soft drink consumption varies according to age, and particularly the consumption of sugar-sweetened carbonated beverages is highest during adolescence (2) . Wang et al.(3) reported that on any given day, 84 % of American adolescents consume sugar-sweetened beverages and the average intake is 30 oz/d. Bere et al. (4) found that 63 % of Norwegian adolescents consume sugar-sweetened carbonated soft drinks twice weekly or more. Owing to their high content of added sugar, soft drinks contribute a significant proportion of the daily energy intake in adolescents. It has been reported that sweetened soft drinks accounted for 13 % of the daily energy intake in American adolescents and of this 55 % came from sugarsweetened carbonated drinks (3)

The aim of the study was to determine the risk indicators for tooth wear in Sri Lankan adolescents. A total of 1,200 17-year-olds were selected using a two-stage cluster sampling technique from schools in the Colombo district. The data were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire and a clinical examination. A modified version of Smith and Knight’s index of tooth wear was used to record tooth wear on occlusal/incisal, buccal and lingual/palatal surfaces of teeth excluding the third molars. Tooth wear was present in 22% of the adolescents, while nearly 9% had at least 1 wear lesion extending up to the dentine. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the consumption of Coca Cola® (OR: 2.60; 95% CI: 1.41–4.78), apples (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.04–2.58), the father’s occupation (OR: 2.20; 95% CI: 1.29–3.74) and chewing vitamin C tablets (OR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.03–2.75) were significantly associated with dentinal wear, while tooth wear was associated with the consumption of oranges (OR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.09–2.37) and apples (OR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.06–1.80), the father’s occupation (OR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.22–2.68) and chewing vitamin C tablets (OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.04–2.00). As the father’s occupation could be considered as a proxy measure of socioeconomic status, the findings suggest that tooth wear in Sri Lankan adolescents is a disorder of affluence.

Smokeless tobacco (SLT) use is a leading cause for oral and pharyngeal cancers in the Southeast Asian region which leads to considerable morbidity and mortality. This study aims to Identify the determinants of use and channels of communication to address smokeless tobacco use among specific user groups in Sri Lanka. The study uses a qualitative approach with purposive, snowballing sampling among groups. Specific high-risk demographic and occupational groups that are known to have high prevalence of SLT use were identified in five of the 25 administrative districts of Sri Lanka, were approached. Sixty-two in-depth interviews and 10 focus group discussions were carried out among different occupational groups in five districts. Thematic analysis coding each reported determinants and communication methods was carried out. Users of SLT of different groups revealed different determinants of use. Some of the determinants were common to several groups. When investigated the preferred methods to address SLT, it is found that the media use was also different among these groups. All preferred group level awareness programmes to individual level awareness programmes. Most groups watch specific television channels at specific times of the day. Most groups stated that they accepted the messages of religious leaders and cancer victim groups. Radio and newspapers were used rarely by these groups that were studied. Smart phones were used only by urban youth and others used basic mobile phones only for calling. Different risk groups were identified allowing preparation of an overall communication approach to address use of SLT. The findings here Identify determinants of use and the communication approaches that can be used to prepare an effective communication strategy to address SLT use among different and sometimes hidden groups in resource poor settings in low a middle-income country.

Background: Use and addiction to commercial preparation of Smokeless Tobacco (CPSLT) is creating new socio-cultural issues and health challenges in Sri Lanka. The objective of this sociological study is to investigate and analyse the socio-cultural factors that influence CPSLT use Sri Lanka to enable development of effective interventions. Methods: This is a qualitative study for which data was collected through in-depth interviews in selected groups that use CPSLT. Thirty-five interviews were carried out in seven of the 24 districts in the country representing urban, rural, plantation communities and different livelihood and ethnic, gender and age groups in the year 2016. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used for selecting interviewees. The data was analysed by using qualitative data analysis techniques and sociological perspectives. Results: This study reveals that the CPSLT use has integrated with the culture of several sociological and livelihood groups. Products such Thool (tobacco powder) and Maawa (dried areca-nut with flaked tobacco and some flavoured chemicals) were identified as the most popular forms of CPSLT. Use of CPSLT has developed as a silent sub-culture specific to several social and livelihood groups. The informal CPSLT industry operating in the urban and sub-urban areas is influencing the school children and youth engaged in sports. Different groups of users express different reasons and justifications for its use. Conclusion: Use of CPSLT is closely integrated with the day to-day lifestyle and values of people of specific groups. and is an unseen part of life. Therefore, interventions will be urgently required to control the use of CPSLT to prevent its significant health impacts, considering the different contexts, symbolisms and justifications of its among the different groups.