Saudi Journal of Oral and Dental Research (SJODR)
Volume-2 | Issue-10 | 249-256
Original Research Article
Assessment of Awareness of Smokeless Tobacco Usage in Northern and Western Saudi Arabia
Nasser Awadh Alreshidi, Ali Ghannam Alrashidi, Sami Awejan Alrashedi, Meshal fazaa Alrashidi, Abdullah Saleh Alrashidi, Saleh Hadi Alharbi, Ibrahim A. Bin ahmed, Ahmed Ali S. ALrasheedi, Hussain Gadelkarim Ahmed
Published : Oct. 31, 2017
Abstract
Reports from Saudi Arabia have showed a relationship between patients
with oral cancer and a history of smokeless tobacco usage. Thus the aim of this study
was to assess the levels of awareness of smokeless tobacco users towards the health
effects of smokeless tobacco usage and find out, which are common smokeless
products used in Northern and Western Saudi Arabia. This is a descriptive cross
sectional study conducted in Northern and Western Saudi Arabia. The study included
420 smokeless tobacco users’ volunteers living in three cities: Tabuk and Hail cities
in Northern Saudi Arabia and Makkah in the Western Saudi Arabia. Out of 420
respondents, only 198 (47.2%) heard something about the health consequences of
smokeless tobacco use and the remaining 222(52.8%) were completely ignored the
health effects resulting from smokeless tobacco use. With regard to the smokeless
tobacco type, the most common was Toombak followed by Shamma, Afdhal and
Nashoog representing 127(3.2%), 65(15.5%), 64(15.2%), 44(10.4%) and 33(7.8%) in
this order. Different forms of smokeless tobacco are prevalent in Saudi Arabia. Since
most of the users were non-Saudi workers, work places may serve as an effective
platform to deliver targeted strategies aimed at smokeless tobacco cessation.