Current status of periodontitis and its association with tobacco use among adult population of Sunsari district, Nepal
Abstract Background: Tobacco products are considered significant but preventable factors related to initiation and progression of periodontal diseases. We assessed the prevalence of periodontitis and evaluated its association with tobacco use and other factors among the adult population of eastern Nepal.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural municipalities in the province one of eastern Nepal. A total of 440 individuals were interviewed with a set of a standardized pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Data on social demographics, adverse oral habits followed by periodontal clinical examination were recorded. Prevalence of periodontitis was assessed by a case definition given by CDC-AAP. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to measure the association between tobacco use and other factors with periodontitis.Results: The overall prevalence of periodontitis was found to be 71.6%. Majority (85.4%) of tobacco users had periodontitis and they were significantly associated with the disease and its severity. The study identified age groups, 45 – 65 years (AOR=7.58, 95% CI, 3.93-14.61), plaque index (AOR=1.01, 95% CI, 1.00-1.02), smoking (AOR=3.14, 95% CI, 1.36-7.27), khaini users (smokeless tobacco, AOR=2.27, 95% CI, 1.12-4.61) and teeth loss (AOR=2.02, 95% CI, 1.21-3.38) as the significant factors associated with periodontitis.Conclusion: The prevalence of periodontitis is high in the surveyed rural adult population. Along with age, plaque, teeth loss and smoking, smokeless tobacco in the form of khaini are identified as significant factors contributing to periodontitis.