A Qualitative Study of Perceptions and Practices Related to Areca Nut Use Among Adolescents in Mumbai, India

Risk perception and interpersonal discussion on risk: A systematic literature review

Risk perception research has long been attentive to the fact that risk is a social construction. Nevertheless, this fact has not been integrated into empirical research in any systematic manner. Empirical studies that do focus on the social construction of risk often do so from very different positions and with different objectives in mind. Interpersonal discussion, while considered an important medium of social construction, is rarely given consideration. This systematic literature review aims to provide a coherent foundation for empirical studies of interpersonal discussion on risk. Specifically, it summarizes existing research into the reciprocal relationship between interpersonal discussion on risk and individual-level risk perception. The systematic literature review adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 843 unique articles were identified, of which 60 are included in the review. A majority of the articles in the corpus found a positive association between interpersonal discussion on risk and risk perception. This association, however, lacks robustness, especially in terms of the direction of causality. Three theoretical interpretations of the relationship are found in the corpus: (1) interpersonal discussion as a conduit for risk information, (2) risk perception as shared social schemata, and (3) interpersonal discussion on risk as a facilitator of similarity between network members. Implications for future research are discussed. This literature review concludes with six guiding principles for future research into the interpersonal discussion-risk perception relationship.

The incidence trends of oral cancers worldwide from 1988 to 2012 and the prediction up to 2030

BACKGROUND

This paper aims to analyze the time trend of OCs incidence in 43 countries (1988-2012) and predict the incidence trend of OCs (2012-2030).

METHODS

In the database for Cancer Incidence in Five Continents, the annual data on OCs incidence grouped by age and gender were obtained from 108 cancer registries in 43 countries. The age-standardized incidence rates were calculated, and the Bayesian age-period-cohort model was used to predict the incidence in 2030.

RESULTS

South Asia and Oceania had the highest ASR in 1988 (9.24/100 000) and 2012 (6.74/100 000). It was predicted that India, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Japan would be the countries with an increased incidence of OCs in 2030.

CONCLUSION

Regional custom is an important factor affecting the incidence of OCs. According to our predictions., it is necessary to control risk factors according to local conditions and enhance screening and education.

Status and Determinants of Early Detection of Oral Premalignant and Malignant Lesions in India

It has been over four decades since the launch of the National Cancer Control Programme in India, yet the cancer screening rates for oral cancer remain unremarkable. Moreover, India is bracing a large burden of oral cancer with poor survival rates. An effective public health programme implementation relies on a multitude of factors related to cost-effective evidence-based interventions, the healthcare delivery system, public health human resource management, community behaviour, partnership with stakeholders, identifying opportunities and political commitment. In this context, we discuss the various challenges in the early detection of oral premalignant and malignant lesions and potential solutions.

Sociodemographic Factors, Attitudes, and Tobacco use among Adolescent Areca-Nut Users in Mumbai, India

Introduction

Areca nut, initiated in adolescence, is considered a gateway for tobacco use and an important cause of oral cancers in India. This study examined differences in sociodemographic factors, attitudes and beliefs, and tobacco use between current (last 30 days) areca nut users and past users, who have ever used areca but not in the last 30 days.

Material and Methods

A cross-sectional survey with school students attending grades 7, 8, 9 provided data to compare differences in age, gender, beliefs, attitudes, and concurrent tobacco use among self-reported areca users. Of 1909 participants surveyed, 641 (33.57%) reported use of areca nut; of which 355 (55.38%) current users had consumed it in the last 30 days.

Results

A logistic regression model revealed that male gender, using tobacco concurrently, inability to refuse a friend's request to use, and intention to use areca nuts in the next 12 months were significant predictors of current areca use.

Conclusion

More research is needed to understand adolescent areca-nut use, including different types of users such as experimenters and those with established habits. This will help design targeted areca-nut prevention and cessation programs.

Potential Role of Host Microbiome in Areca Nut-Associated Carcinogenesis and Addiction

Areca nut (AN) is widely consumed all over the world, bringing great harm to human health and economy. Individuals with AN chewing are at high risk of cardiovascular disease and impaired immune system and metabolic system. Despite a growing number of studies having reported on the adverse effects brought by AN chewing, the exact mechanism of it is limited and the need for additional exploration remains. In recent years, the interaction between microorganisms, especially intestinal microorganism and host, has been extensively studied. AN chewing might disrupt the oral and intestinal microbiota communities through direct connect with the microbes it contains, altering PH, oxygen of oral and intestinal microenvironment, and disturbing the immune homeostasis. These mechanisms provide insights into the interplay between areca nut and host microbiota. Emerging studies have proposed that bidirectional interaction between polyphenols and intestinal microbes might play a potential role in the divergence of polyphenol, extracted from AN, among individuals with or without AN-induced cancer development and progression. Although some AN chewers have been aware of the harmful effects brought by AN, they cannot abolish this habit because of the addiction of AN. Increasing studies have tried to revealed that gut microbiota might influence the onset/development of addictive behaviors. Altogether, this review summarizes the possible reasons for the disturbance of host microbiota caused by areca nut chewing and clarifies the complex interaction between human microbiome and major constituents and the addiction and carcinogenicity of AN, tempting to provide novel insights into the development and utilization of it, and to control the adverse consequences caused by AN chewing.

Using the Theory of Planned Behavior to Explain and Predict Areca Nut Use Among Adolescents in India: An Exploratory Study

Context

Areca nut, used alone or in combination with tobacco, contributes to the high oral cancer burden in India. Used widely by adolescents, who perceive it as a harmless substance, areca nut is addictive and considered a precursor to tobacco use. Given its serious implications for addictiveness and physical health, urgent preventive interventions for areca nut use are required in India and South-East Asia. Studies examining the role of health behavior theory in explaining and predicting areca nut use and for development of its prevention among adolescents are scarce.

Aim

This study explored the role of the components of Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) such as attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intention in predicting areca nut use among adolescents.

Settings and Design

Observational study with cross-sectional design conducted with 1884 male and female adolescents attending low-income schools in Mumbai, India.

Methods and Material

Self-administered surveys were used to gather data on age, gender, behavioral factors and areca nut use.

Statistical Analysis Used

Chi-square and Mann Whitney test for bivariate and logistic regression for multivariate analysis.

Results

Around 27.2% of 1884 participants were areca nut users. The mean age of users was 13.75 years. Intention-to-use and perceived behavioral control were statistically significant predictors of actual areca nut use (p<0.001). The components of TPB such as attitude, perceived subjective social norms, and perceived behavioral control had a statistically significant effect on the intention-to-use areca nut (p<0.05).

Conclusion

This exploratory study indicates that constructs from TPB could help us understand and predict areca nut use. However, more rigorous future research is required to generate insights that help craft effective theory-based behavioral interventions for areca nut prevention and cessation in adolescents.

The dilemma of Pituri: a review and case report

Smokeless tobacco is the term used to describe a range of products found worldwide which individuals use to extract nicotine, but without smoking. Ways of achieving this include chewing, sniffing and placing in areas of the body where tissues are sufficiently thin for absorption to take place such as the oral mucosa or postauricular skin. In Central Australia, Aboriginal groups across a wide area have chewed wild tobacco plants, commonly known as Pituri, for countless generations. As well as inducing a sense of well-being, the habit has strong cultural significance. While some smokeless tobacco products used outside Australia are known to have a detrimental effect on oral health, particularly malignant change, little is known about Pituri. To date, reports of adverse oral outcomes have been elusive. Most Pituri research seems to have focussed on obstetric issues, arguably unexpected as the tobacco seems to be in contact with the mouth for longer than any other body tissues. The following report describes a lesion on the anterior buccal mucosa resulting from prolonged Pituri use. The relevant literature is reviewed. A clinical and ethical management dilemma arises between respecting the associated cultural issues and ignoring an apparent pathological entity. © 2022 Australian Dental Association.