Assessment of Oral Health Care Needs among Fishermen Living in North Chennai, India – A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Studies conducted among fishermen shows that there was a high prevalence rate in Oral mucosal lesions. However, data on oral health care needs among fisherman is scarce. Hence this was undertaken to obtain a data that can be used to plan programmes for the prevention and treatment of such oral mucosal lesions in the fishermen.
 Materials and Methods: A study was carried out among 71 fishermen after obtaining clearance from the institutional ethical committee and concerned authorities. A self administered questionnaire is distributed among the study group comprising questions relating to personal history and deleterious habits. Clinical examination was carried out using mouth mirror, explorer and under proper illumination. Oral health examination was done using WHO Basic Oral health Assessment proforma, 2013. Data collected and analysed statistically using SPSS software.
 Results: Among the 71 fishermen, 56(78.9%) were males and 15 (21.1 %) were females. In the study population, 44(62%) were tobacco chewers, 39(54.9%) were snuff users, 24(33.8%) were alcohol consumers and 19(26.8%) were smokers. Smokeless tobacco (41.5%) was the most common deleterious habit after which by alcohol consumption (33.8%) and smoking (26.8%).The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions was 20.8%.It was found that statistically significant association existed between the deleterious habits and leukoplakia.
 Conclusion: According to the our study, the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions was 20.8% among the fishermen who had a clear association with deleterious habits such as tobacco chewing, smoking, alcohol consumption and snuff.

Overview of oral health status and associated risk factors in maritime settings: An updated systematic review

“…One study did not mention the studied population [ 39 ]. Two studies investigated oral cancer among seafarers and fishermen [ 70 , 71 ] and five studies about potential malignant disorders [ 12 , 60 , 61 , 66 , 72 ]. Four studies described the emergency related to oral diseases cases and oral injury in maritime settings [ 36 – 38 , 69 ].…”

“…In general, out of 22 included observational studies, 16 studies were rated as high quality [ 12 , 20 , 36 , 38 , 59 , 61 – 68 , 70 – 72 ], 5 studies had moderate quality [ 11 , 35 , 37 , 60 , 69 ] and only one study was rated as low quality due to not presenting data and weak methodological design [ 39 ] ( S2 Appendix ). When assessing the quality of RCT by the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, the overall risk-of-bias judgement of both studies were to have some concern on risk of bias.…”

“…Five studies reported the prevalence of potential malignant disorders among fishermen [ 12 , 60 , 61 , 66 , 72 ] with two studies focus on actinic cheilitis [ 61 , 72 ], a precancerous condition often occur on lips. The occurrence rate of abnormal oral lesions was 14.9% [ 12 ], 20.8% [ 60 ] and 30% [ 66 ].…”

“…Five studies reported the prevalence of potential malignant disorders among fishermen [ 12 , 60 , 61 , 66 , 72 ] with two studies focus on actinic cheilitis [ 61 , 72 ], a precancerous condition often occur on lips. The occurrence rate of abnormal oral lesions was 14.9% [ 12 ], 20.8% [ 60 ] and 30% [ 66 ]. Leukoplakia was reportedly the most common oral disorders in most studies with the occurrence rate was 67.6% [ 60 ] and 13.8% [ 66 ], followed by oral ulceration with 23.9% [ 60 ] and 7.2% [ 66 ].…”

“…The occurrence rate of abnormal oral lesions was 14.9% [ 12 ], 20.8% [ 60 ] and 30% [ 66 ]. Leukoplakia was reportedly the most common oral disorders in most studies with the occurrence rate was 67.6% [ 60 ] and 13.8% [ 66 ], followed by oral ulceration with 23.9% [ 60 ] and 7.2% [ 66 ]. The reported actinic cheilitis level at lower lip among fishermen was 11.4% [ 61 ] and 12.8% [ 72 ] with one study reported the significant relationship between actinic cheilitis and older age, skin type and sunlight exposure [ 61 ].…”