Instruments to Measure Betel Quid Dependency among Young and Adult Chewers - A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Addiction Research
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Betel quid (BQ) consumption is a widespread practice, particularly in South and Southeast Asia.
• Existing research on BQ primarily focuses on prevalence, health effects, and cessation methods.
• There is a notable gap in systematic literature regarding instruments for measuring BQ dependency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically identify and compare instruments used to measure betel quid dependency in published literature.
• To assess the available tools for quantifying betel quid use and dependence among different age groups.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar) from January 2011 to September 2022.
• Two independent authors screened and selected relevant articles based on predefined criteria.
• Data from eligible studies were extracted and analyzed for the systematic review.

Main Results:

• The initial search yielded 1271 articles; after removing duplicates and non-relevant studies, only 11 articles were included in the final analysis.
• A significant scarcity of research was identified concerning validated instruments for measuring betel quid dependency.
• No single instrument could be definitively recommended as the optimal scale for assessing BQ dependence.

Conclusions:

• The limited number of studies highlights a critical need for more research into betel quid (BQ) dependency measurement tools.
• Further systematic reviews and meta-analyses are required to better understand and utilize existing dependence scales.
• Developing and validating robust instruments is crucial for effective BQ addiction research and intervention.