233P - Cancer awareness, tobacco use and cessation among Malayali tribes, Yelagiri Hills, Tamil Nadu, India: A 8-year follow up study

Background

Health is a state of complete wellbeing free from any discomfort and pain. Despite remarkable world-wide progress in the field of diagnostic, curative and preventive medicine, still there are large populations of people living in isolation in natural and unpolluted surroundings far away from civilisation, maintaining their traditional values, customs, beliefs and myths. India has the second largest tribal population of the world next to the African countries. The present study was conducted to assess the cancer awareness, tobacco use, and its effect on health among Malayali tribes, Yelagiri Hills, Tamil Nadu, India.

Methods

After a study among this population of 660 in 2010, extended research was carried out in 2018 among 2185 participants. The inhabitants of the 14 villages of the Yelagiri Hills, who were willing to participate in the study were included. Data was collected from a cross-sectional survey, using a survey proforma, clinical examination and a pre-tested questionnaire which included demographic data, tobacco habits. A brief tobacco cessation counseling was given to all the users. SPSS version 21 was used for statistical analysis.

Results

The study showed that among the 2185 study population, 47% had no formal education. Of those who had the habit of smoking, 29% smoked beedi, 31% smoked cigarettes, 39% chewed raw tobacco, 33% chewed Hans, and 12% had a combination of smoking and smokeless tobacco usage. Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions 47% and 7% oral cancer in the study population was due to tobacco usage and lack of awareness regarding the deleterious effects of the products used.

Conclusions

From the results of this study it may be concluded that the Malayali tribes were characterized by a lack of awareness about oral health, deep rooted dental beliefs, high prevalence of tobacco use and limited access to health services.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

NA

Legal entity responsible for the study

The author.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

The author has declared no conflicts of interest.