Betel chewing among bus drivers in Jaffna district

To assess the prevalence, pattern and sociocultural factors associated with betel chewing among bus drivers in Jaffna district.

Cross-sectional study was conducted among 423 registered drivers using an interviewer administered questionnaire from March to April 2014.

All were males. Mean age of the respondents was 41.42 years (SD= ±10.3; range 20-65). The overall prevalence of betel chewing was 70.4%. Of the total 9.4% had chewed betel in the past. Of the current users 61% had chewed betel for more than 5 years. Betel was chewed daily by 89.2%. (of them 60.8% used ≤3 times). Almost all current chewers used areca nut. Fifty five percent of the drivers said they used betel to improve concentration while driving. Seventy five percent of those who used betel in the past said that staining of teeth was the reason for stopping the habit. Private bus drivers were more likely to chew betel while driving than SLTB drivers (p=0.002).

The prevalence of betel chewing among bus drivers in Jaffna District was high. Majority had chewed betel for more than five years. Areca nut was a main ingredient of betel quid.