Prevalence of Tobacco and Arecanut Use and Associated Oral Mucosal Lesions Among Adolescent School Children of Mathura City

Abstract

Introduction: Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality worldwide, with initiation commonly occurring during adolescence. India faces a rising burden of tobacco- and areca nut–related oral health problems, often beginning in youth. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of tobacco and areca nut use and their association with oral mucosal changes among school-going adolescents in Mathura city.

Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 1,017 adolescents in Mathura using the WHO Oral Health Survey Form (2013). A structured, closed-ended questionnaire assessed smoking, smokeless tobacco, and areca nut use. Oral examinations were performed to detect mucosal lesions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with SPSS v23. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee of K.D. Dental College and Hospital, Mathura.

Results: Overall, 10.3% of students reported smoking, with higher prevalence among males (8.2%) compared to females (2.2%). Initiation clustered in mid-adolescence, with 7.1% starting at 14–15 years. Bidi/hookah use was reported by 11.4%. Smokeless tobacco was used by 7.2% of participants (5.5% males, 1.7% females), typically on an occasional basis. Areca nut use was more common, reported by 18.7% (12.2% males, 6.5% females). Despite these habits, no oral mucosal lesions were observed among participants.

Conclusion: This study highlights notable experimentation with tobacco and high prevalence of areca nut use among adolescents in Mathura, particularly among males. While daily tobacco consumption was low and no lesions were detected, early initiation patterns underscore future risks for oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). Preventive school-based interventions, culturally sensitive awareness programs, and inclusion of areca nut in tobacco control policies are urgently needed to reduce long-term health impacts