Background: Smoking remains a highly prevalent addiction in
many populations worldwide despite the increasing awareness of its harmful
effects on general health. Smoking is considered a risk factor for the
initiation and progression of oral and periodontal diseases. Periodontal
diseases affect the quality of life of patients by affecting the function and
appearance of their dentition.
Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the awareness of
smokers about the effects of smoking on periodontal and oral health.
Methods: A descriptive, hospital-based, cross-sectional
study was conducted among male smokers at the Military Dental Hospital in
Omdurman, Sudan. A pretested and revised self-administered questionnaires were
used to collect data from study participants. Demographic data, such as age,
occupation and educational level, were recorded. Factors related to smoking
awareness, the effect of the number of cigarettes and the duration of smoking
on oral periodontal health and the oral symptoms (complaints) associated with
smoking were also assessed. A simple random sampling technique was used to
select study participants. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23, and the
results were presented as frequencies and proportions.
Results: A total of 385 smoking males, with a mean age of
27.8, participated in this study. The mean number of cigarettes smoked per day
was 10 cigarettes, and the mean duration since starting smoking was 8 years.
The majority of smokers (85.5%) were not aware of the effect of the number of
cigarettes on periodontal and oral health. Also, 93 % of them were not aware of
the effects of the duration of smoking on oral and periodontal health. Among
the participants, 63% of smokers complained of color change of oral mucosa, 35%
about staining of the teeth, 19.2% of bad breath and 17% delay in wound healing
(with statistically significant difference at p-vale <0.01) More than half
(58.20%) of smokers were aware that smoking could cause oral cancer and 76.10%
held favorable attitudes toward smoking (i.e., they believed “smoking was
cool”). Most of the study participants (89.10 %) didn’t receive adequate
information about the risk of smoking on their health from their dentists, and
88.60% of them didn’t hear about Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRTs).
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that a high percentage
of smokers were not aware of the harmful effects of smoking on oral and
periodontal health. This study recommends increasing awareness among smokers
through advertisements, audiovisual aids, and print media to show the benefits
of smoking cessation for oral and systemic health.
Author(s) Details
Dalia Ahmed Gasm El
Seed
Periodontics Department, Napata College, Program of Dentistry, Sudan.
Malaz Yahya Abd
Al-Kreem
Faculty of Dentistry, Karary University, Omdurma, Sudan.
Abeer Hussein
Al-Bushra
Faculty of Dentistry, Karary University, Omdurma, Sudan.
Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/aodhr/v6/5823
No comments:
Post a Comment