Tobacco: A killer in loose among tobacco factory workers

Introduction: Tobacco use is one of the most important preventable causes of disease and death globally. Even though the prevalence of tobacco use is declining in many countries, the disparity among occupational groups still exists. There is a paucity of literature on patterns of tobacco usage among tobacco factory workers. Objectives: This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of tobacco use and its associated oral conditions among tobacco factory workers in Guntur city of Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried among 320 tobacco factory workers in Guntur. A cluster random sampling methodology was used for selecting the study subjects. The data was collected using a questionnaire and performing a clinical examination. The questionnaire gathered information on demographic factors and adverse habits of the study subjects. The subjects were clinically examined to assess their oral health status using WHO Oral Health Assessment Form (2013). Results: Majority of the workers in the tobacco factory had tobacco chewing habits (47.5%) than smoking (13.8%). Periodontal pockets of 4-5mm depth were found among 30.6% of the subjects and 49.6% of subjects had a loss of attachment more than 3mm. Oral leukoplakia was found among 20.9% of the study subjects and 24.4% had tobacco pouch keratosis and, it was found that buccal mucosa was the most common site for oral mucosal lesions. Conclusion(s): The prevalence of periodontal diseases and potentially malignant oral lesions was higher among tobacco factory workers which could be related to the rampant misuse of tobacco. Therefore, integrated curative and behaviour change programs directed especially towards tobacco cessation should be adopted to achieve the optimum level of oral health among these workers.