Prevalence of Oral mucosal lesion in patients with Tobacco related habits among Chidambaram population – A Cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Tobacco has been traditionally used in many parts of India which was known to be associated with many oral mucosal lesions which has higher chance for morbidity and mortality. A cross sectional study was conducted in Chidambaram population to find the prevalence of oral mucosal lesion in association with tobacco and alcohol related habits. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 2246 participants from in and around Chidambaram who attended the outpatient department, during the period of 2months (December 2019 to January 2020). Data collected using questionnaire adapted from global adult tobacco survey questionnaire followed by oral examination. Result: Among the 2246, 161 participants has the habit of using smoking, chewing tobacco and alcohol consumption. This study has the predominance of participants who have combination habits such as smoking tobacco and alcohol consumption. Among the participants with oral mucosal lesion leukoplakia has higher predominance followed by tobacco pouch keratosis and smoker’s palate. Most of the lesions were present in the buccal mucosa. Conclusion: Prevalence of premalignant lesions in association with adverse habits was significant in our study. This shows necessity for early diagnosis and Awareness should be created to the public through anti-tobacco campaign by the government and private agencies. Tobacco cessation clinics should be opened in all primary health care centre and more knowledge should be created about premalignant lesion to prevent the morbidity and mortality rate.