Search

In a field study, 1866 people from different hill tribes (Lahu, Karen, Lisu and Meo) of northern Thailand and a group of rural Thai were examined for chewing, smoking and drinking habits and precancerous lesions of the oral mucosa. Traditional chewing and smoking habits were more prevalent among older people; cigarette smoking, in contrast, was more prevalent in younger and middle-aged individuals. Preleukoplakia was observed in 1.8%, leukoplakia in 1.1% and chewer's mucosa in 13.1% of the study population. Men and older patients were affected more frequently; chewer's mucosa was seen more often in women (Karen, Thai). A correlation between precancerous lesions and some oral habits could be demonstrated statistically.

In a field study (1979-1984) four out of six major hilltribes of Northern Thailand, namely the Lahu, Karen, Lisu and Meo, as well as a group of rural Thai, were examined. Chewing, smoking and drinking habits and lesions of the oral mucosa (leukoedema, preleukoplakia, leukoplakia and chewer's mucosa) were recorded. 1866 individuals were examined. Considerable differences in the chewing and smoking habits among the various tribes were recorded and some of them were considered tribe-specific. Chewing of betel and miang was more prevalent among older people; these habits seem to have lost their attraction for the younger people. Cigarette smoking was more prevalent among middle-aged individuals. Leukoedema was observed in 12.4%, preleukoplakia in 1.8%, leukoplakia in 1.1% and chewer's mucosa in 13.1%. Men and the older generation were affected more often, except that more women (Karen and Thai) revealed chewer's mucosa. A positive correlation could be demonstrated between some mucosal lesions (leukoedema, chewer's mucosa) and some smoking and chewing habits.

The habit of chewing miang, composed of fermented tea leaves was studied among 100 farmers of Northern Thai origin. It was disclosed that the majority of miang chewers were 'multi-habituees' in that this habit was combined with other oral habits such as betel quid chewing, banana cigar and Thai cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. Among women the most prevalent habit combination was miang chewing and khi yo cigar smoking whereas men showed a more differentiated habit pattern. A total of 37 men and 21 women showed oral lesions that could be related to the practice of one or several habits. Oral precancerous lesions such as leukoplakia were, however, only found among miang chewers who in addition indulged in other oral habits (betel quid chewing, smoking, alcohol usage).