Tobacco and Betel Nut Chewing Habits Amongst Fijians of Indian Descent Living in Suva, Fiji

Abstract

Tobacco and betel nut chewing have been associated to causing oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) and increased risk to developing oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Objective:i) To determine the prevalence of chewing betel nut and smokeless tobacco amongst Fijians of Indian descent living in Suva, Fiji. ii) To determine the incidence rate of OPMDs in Fijians of Indian descents living in Suva, Fiji. Methods:This was a cross sectional study, designed to analyze if Fijians of Indian descent are exposed to OSCC risk factors. Firstly, a structured questionnaire was used to interview participants in order to gather information on their chewing habits. Participants included Fijians of Indian descent staying in Suva from the age of 18 and above. Thereafter, an oral examination was carried out for all participants to identify the presence of any OPMDs. Result:This study revealed that out ofthe120participants, 45% consumed either tobacco or betel quid. Furthermore, 14.2% of the participants were chewing smokeless tobacco, 20% chew betel quid or paan masala and 32.5% of the participants smoked tobacco. No OPMD's were detected in the sample. Conclusion:There was a moderate prevalence of individuals chewing smokeless tobacco and betel quid/ paan masala (45%). There were no OPMDs detected in the sample.

Diagnosis of oral potentially malignant disorders: Overview and experience in Oceania

“…As for the Fiji Islands, a low incidence (0.7% of the cohort) of OPMDs was found in the 35–44 year olds examined in the 2011 Fijian National Oral Health Survey (unpublished report). No OPMD were detected in a cohort of 120 Fijians of Indian descent living in Suva, Fiji ( 11 ).…”

“…In 2011, 30.8% of 2,586 people surveyed from the Fijian population used tobacco ( 17 ) with a decline in tobacco use in both sexes and in both I-Taukei and Fijian Indians between 1980 and 2011 ( 18 ). A cross-sectional study of 120 Fijians of Indian descent living in Suva, Fiji showed that 32.5% smoked tobacco, 20% chewed betel quid or paan masala, and 14.2% chewed smokeless tobacco ( 11 ). Of 1,204 males sampled in Samoa in 2019–2020, 35.4% had smoked tobacco or used smokeless tobacco products in the preceding month, as had 12.5% of 4,139 females ( 19 ).…”

“…Oral potentially malignant disorders and oral epithelial dysplasia.Fiji showed that 32.5% smoked tobacco, 20% chewed betel quid or paan masala, and 14.2% chewed smokeless tobacco(11). Of 1,204 males sampled in Samoa in 2019-2020, 35.4% had smoked tobacco or used smokeless tobacco products in the preceding month, as had 12.5% of 4,139 females (19).…”