Assssement of the impact of chat chewing habit on the periodontal tissue status among medical out patient at harar jegol hospital

Abstract

Background:- Catha adulis is a flowering plant native to the horn of Africa and the Arabian peninsula. Khat’s exact place of origin is uncertain but believed it was first grown in Ethiopia, particularly Eastern city of Harar from which it was later introduced to Yemen in the 15th century. In the oral cavity it has different effect as a result of chewing for long time such as temperomandibular Joint problem, gingival recession, clinical attachment loss, and oral cancers and gingival allergic reactions. Objectives:- To assess the impact of Chat chewing habit on periodontal status among out patients of medical OPD at HJH. Methods:- Cross sectional study was conducted in HJH by convenient sampling technique on 72 chat chewer medical out patients out of which 40 were males and 32 were females.using strucured questionnaire and physical examination on a sample of out patients. The data were systematically analyzed, interpreted and presented in the form of tables. Result and Discussion:- Tooth discoloration was the main complaint of chat chewer patient and some have gingival bleeding and bad breath. There is significant statistical association between duration of chat chewing and periodontal variables with p-value of 0.000. But there is no statistical association between gender and oral cavity change, age, religion, ethnic group, method of tooth cleaning, with p-value of 0.124, 0.33, 0.718, 0.754, 0.61 respectively. Conclusion and Recommendation:- The periodontal tissue of chat chewer patients have defects like gingival recession, clinical attachment loss, calculus deposition and bleeding of the gum, as well as oro-dental problem. Therefore it is strongly recommended that the concerned body should create awareness in the community about the impact of chat on periodontium and the oral cavity as a whole.