'Betelmania'. Betel quid chewing by Cambodian women in the United States and its potential health effects.
Although an estimated 10% to 25% of the world's population chews betel quid, this practice is virtually unknown in the United States. Health care professionals coming into contact with immigrants and refugees from India, New Guinea, and Southeast Asia will increasingly notice this habit. Possible hazards associated with the chewing of the various ingredients of the quid include oral cancer and an addictive potential as strong as for cigarettes. We surveyed a group of Cambodian refugee women who are addicted to betel nut and its associated components. Participant-directed interviews uncovered some of the cultural meanings surrounding the ritual of preparing and using the betel quid and the role of culture in the beliefs and behaviors related to chemical addiction.
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla 92093-0809.
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Pickwell
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Schimelpfening
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001114:Areca; D002160:Cambodia / Q000208:ethnology; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D008409:Mastication; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D012306:Risk; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States