Betel nut chewing and oral health: case study in Nang Rong District, Buriram

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative research was to study Betel nut chewing  and oral health focused on: 1) cultural  context and community beliefs on Betel nut chewing, 2) meaning of Betel nut chewing to the locals, 3) their chewing behaviors, and 4) perceptions of the effects of nut chewing on oral health of betel chewers in Nang Rong district, Buriram province. Various qualitative data collection techniques were used including in-depth interview, group interview, observation and documentary studies. Data were collected from 73 key informants: current nut chewers, ex-chewers, family members and/or caregivers, community  leaders, elderly,  betel nut sellers as well as health professionals and volunteers.  The collected  data were analyzed using by content analysis.

The findings revealed that betel nut chewers were of middle to old age (50-90 years old) while a 27-year old chewer was identified for early adulthood group. There were more female betel chewers than male. Majority of the nut chewers reported chewing 3-4 betel quid a day and 20 betel quids for some. They started chewing  upon waking  up in the morning, after breakfast until the evening, bedtime and sometimes sleeping with a chewed nut into their mouth.