Prevalence of Use of Smokeless Tobacco among School-Going Children.

AIM: The study aims to assess the prevalence of tobacco use in school-going children.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A total of 1200 school children of age group 6-15 years were included. A pretested close-ended questionnaire was used to assess oral health knowledge and tobacco use practices.

RESULT: A total of 18% (216) children used smokeless tobacco, out of which 23.3% (168) were males and 10% (48) were females. Among tobacco users, 67.3% (70) children had poor oral hygiene index (OHI) score, and 13% and 2.6% (12) had fair and good OHI scores, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of smokeless tobacco use in school children has increased resulting in poor oral hygiene.