Tobacco use and oral sex practice among dental clinic attendees

Abstract

Tobacco use and oral sex (OS) are important risk factors for oral and oropharyngeal Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Little is known about the prevalence of OS practice in South Africa. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of OS practice and tobacco use in a South African patient population. This cross-sectional study used a structured questionnaire to collect socio-demographic characteristics, tobacco use, betel nut use and OS practice data from consenting adults (≥18 years; n = 850). Oral sex practices were recorded for patients 18–45 years-old (n = 514). Data analysis included chi-square and multiple logistic regression analyses. Of the study population, 55.2% (n = 468) were female, 88% (n = 748) self-identified as black Africans and 45.1% (n = 383) were unemployed. Furthermore, 19.7% (n = 167), 6.4% (n = 54) and 2.1% (n = 18) were current smokers, snuff users and betel nut users, respectively. Out of the 514 who answered the questionnaire in relation to OS, 22.8% (n = 115) reported to practice it. Oral sex practice in the age group 18–45 years was most common among the self-identified white participants (41.9%); and among tobacco users than among non-tobacco users (30.9% vs. 20.5%; p = 0.022). A multivariable-adjusted regression model showed that white South Africans were more likely to use tobacco than black Africans (OR = 5.25; 95% CI = 2.21–12.47). The practice of OS was more likely among those 18–35 years-old (OR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.01–2.74), but had no significant association with tobacco use (OR = 1.06; 95% CI = 0.62–1.83). The observed age and ethnic differences in both risk behaviours suggest a need for targeted population intervention in order to reduce the risk for oral HPV infection.

Human Papillomavirus Prevalence in Oral and Oropharyngeal Rinse and Gargle Specimens of Dental Patients and of an HIV-Positive Cohort from Pretoria, South Africa

“…is is much higher than a previous report published from the same area, which revealed that 22.4% of participants practiced oral sex [15]. In this current study, no link between the practice of oral sex and HPV presence could be demonstrated following analysis of the data in part because of the extraordinary low prevalence of HPV detected.…”

“…The proportion of participants who reported to have ever practiced oral sex were 46.3% for the dental clinic attendees and 50.0% for the patients attending the HIV management clinic (47.5% combined). This is much higher than a previous report published from the same area, which revealed that 22.4% of participants practiced oral sex [ 15 ]. In this current study, no link between the practice of oral sex and HPV presence could be demonstrated following analysis of the data in part because of the extraordinary low prevalence of HPV detected.…”

“…In a report on trends regarding tobacco use in South Africa, the prevalence of smoking among black South Africans was 22.7% and 36.6% among Caucasians; and the trend reflected a decrease in smoking [ 21 , 51 ]. Another South African study from a different geographic area reported 19.7% of participants to be smokers, and 6.4% used snuff tobacco [ 15 ]. This study reports 29.4% of participants who indicated to have ever used tobacco and 16.3% to be current smokers.…”

“…An interview-based questionnaire was completed prior to oral/oropharyngeal specimen collection. The questionnaire was developed from a previous project [ 15 ] and existing literature. Data collected included age, gender, smoking habits, alcohol use, oral sex (OS) contact/practice, and HIV serostatus among others.…”

Oral and oropharyngeal high-risk HPV prevalence, HIV status, and risk behaviours in a cohort of South African men who have sex with men

“…Although oral sex was not practised by the majority of participants, it was practised by those who were positive with HR-HPV types. However, a recent study on oral sexual practices of dental clinic attendees from the general population in same catchment area determined that 18–35 years old tended to practice more oral sex, and 21.8% of the total cohort confirmed to practice oral sex [26] . Males reported a significantly higher prevalence of oral sex practice than the females, and at 32% compares favourably to that reported by Davidson et al [25] and also of the current oral sex practice reported in this study of 28.6% (n = 57).…”