Behavioral and Psychosocial Risk Factors that Lead Individuals to Initiate and/or Maintain Betel Quid Chewing in...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Addiction Research

Background:

• Betel quid (BQ) is a widely used psychoactive substance, particularly in Southeast Asia, with high addiction rates affecting all demographics.
• Psychosocial and behavioral factors significantly influence BQ use initiation and maintenance, yet systematic research remains limited.
• Understanding these factors is crucial for developing effective BQ cessation interventions.

Approach:

• A systematic review was conducted to identify behavioral and psychosocial risk factors associated with BQ chewing.
• Databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Science Direct were searched for relevant studies published between January 2011 and July 2021.
• Twelve primary studies focusing on behavioral and psychosocial risk factors for BQ chewing were included in the analysis.

Key Points:

• Habituation, addiction, and withdrawal symptoms are significant barriers to quitting BQ chewing for dependent users.
• Social and cultural identity associated with BQ use in Southeast Asia deters some individuals from quitting.
• Peer group influence and the integration of BQ chewing into social life present challenges to cessation.

Conclusions:

• Behavioral and psychosocial factors are critical barriers to successful BQ cessation and must be addressed.
• Future cessation guidelines should incorporate these factors and promote culture-specific intervention approaches.
• Developing comprehensive strategies is essential for achieving long-term abstinence from BQ chewing.