"Tobacco" - The silent slayer for oral premalignant lesions/ conditions among beedi rolling workers of Durg City, Chhattisgarh, India: A cross-sectional study

Background: Tobacco use is a major public health challenge and established risk factor for oral premalignant lesions and conditions in India. Workplace hazards are known to compromise the oral health of beedi-rolling workers. There is a scarcity of data about tobacco habits among these workers of Durg-Bhilai. Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of tobacco-related habits and its associated lesions/conditions among beedi rolling workers of Durg-Bhilai, Chhattisgarh. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for 1 month among 185 beedi rolling workers of Durg-Bhilai city. Data were collected using a 25-item, self-structured, close-ended questionnaire based on oral hygiene habits, tobacco usage habits, awareness regarding tobacco, and its ill effects. After taking detailed habitual history, workers were screened for oral premalignant lesions. Oral cavity was only clinically diagnosed using World Health Organization assessment form of oral premalignant lesions and conditions. Descriptive statistics using Chi-square test were applied using SPSS software version 16 (IBM, Chicago, IL, USA), and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of tobacco use was found to be 82.2%, with 15 (8.1%), 101 (54.6%), and 19.5% of workers involved in smoked, smokeless, and dual use, respectively. A total of 152 (82.1%) participants had one or more oral lesions. Leukoplakia and oral submucous fibrosis were observed in 27.6% and 13.5% of participants, respectively. Gudaku was used by 7.8% of participants, but it was not associated with any kind of oral lesions. Conclusion: The present study revealed a high prevalence of oral premalignant lesions with rampant misuse of tobacco products by these workers. There is an urgent need to create awareness regarding the ill effects of tobacco and also to initiate cessation programs among these workers.