Prevalence of oro-mucosal lesions among rural population having tobacco habits: A cross-sectional study

Background: Tobacco habit is one of the biggest curses that modern society has come across. It is not confined to any one country or region alone, but has widely afflicted the globe by addiction, ill-health, loss of man hours and premature death leading to various social problems. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of oro-mucosal lesions among rural population having tobacco habits in Ambala district (Haryana). Materials and Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was carried out among 680 subjects; a two-stage sampling technique was adopted for selection of villages in each block of Ambala and selection of subjects from individual villages. Oro-mucosal lesions were diagnosed using. Oral mucosal lesions were diagnosed using World Health Organization criteria and Pindborg′s colored atlas. Type III clinical examination was done. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16, P = 0.05 or less was considered significant. Results: The prevalence of oro-mucosal lesions was found to be 34.8% among 680 subjects. Prevalence of smoker′s palate/tobacco pouch was seen in 29.7%, in which 35.2% were males. Majority of the subjects (68.5%, 466) were bidi smokers and 72.3% of females were smoking bidi. The most common affected intra-oral site was hard palate on which 5.6% lesions were present. Prevalence of oro-mucosal lesions was significantly associated with age. Conclusion: One-third of the subjects were having oro-mucosal lesions with high prevalence of smoker′s palate and tobacco pouch and two-third of the lesions were on hard palate. There is an urgent need for awareness and mass health education programs