title: Betel nut chewing behaviour and its association with oral mucosal lesions and conditions in Ghaziabad, India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the practices and behaviour among Betel nut users in Ghaziabad and to detect the clinically associated oral mucosal lesions and conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A community-based survey was conducted in Ghaziabad among 332 betel nut users. Data on betel nut use was obtained through a self-administered questionnaire. Oral mucosal lesions and conditions were recorded using WHO criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 332 betel nut users, 32.8% consumed Gutkha. 62.3% users used betel nut with tobacco. Most of the study population started chewing betel nut because of peer pressure and the habit started at the workplace or school. A majority found that there was no physical discomfort due to the habit. The significant oral diseases detected were oral leukoplakia in 11.7% and oral submucous fibrosis in 6.1% of individuals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of the present study revealed that 74.7% of the participants were current chewers. 30.4% of all participants had oral mucosal lesions and conditions.
authors.forename: Sumanth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: Richa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Anand
authors.forename: Chandan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dhingra
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001114:Areca; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007972:Leukoplakia, Oral / Q000145:classification; D008297:Male; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000145:classification*; D009754:Nuts; D009914:Oral Submucous Fibrosis / Q000145:classification; D010379:Peer Group; D012423:Rural Health; D057566:Self Report; D012931:Social Environment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult