Prevalence of Areca nut and Tobacco use in school going children in Ahmedabad

Abstract

AIMS:Tobacco and areca-nut use among school children is a serious problem in developing countries. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of tobacco and areca nut chewing habit and different characteristics of areca nut chewers among school going children. METHODS:A Questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey asking them to fill a self-administered questionnaire regarding personal habits was conducted across three municipal and six semi-government schools in Ahmedabad city including 3055 children in 7-12th standards. RESULTS:The prevalence of tobacco or areca-nut chewing was 12%. Of them,5% had habit of smoking,6% chewed tobacco and 89% areca nut. 46% got it near their house,13% near school,11% borrowed, a few stole and 18% received it from someone. 25% initiated habit at an age of