Knowledge on health effects and current practice towards arecanut use among secondary school children living in Male' city / Abdul Azeez Hameed

Abstract

Objectives: The current study was conducted to identify the knowledge on harmful effects of arecanut use, and current practice towards arecanut use among secondary school children living in Male' city, Maldives.

Material and methods: A total of 1350 questionnaire was distributed to the secondary school students studying at selected schools in Male' city, and 804 questionnaire was returned. The schools were selected through cluster sampling, while the students were selected via simple random sampling. The calculated sample size consists of 674 students which is equally selected from both gender.

Results: Secondary school children in Male' city have inadequate knowledge on harmful effects of arecanut use. The students starts arecanut use mainly at age between 11-15 years. Arecanut was introduced by either friends or family members among large number of school children. Majority of secondary school goers use supari as a main form of arecanut, and Rasily supari was thefavorite brand of supari among secondary school children.

Conclusion: Secondary school children have inadequate knowledge on harmful effects of arecanut use. Supari is the main form of arecanut use among secondary school children, hence the awareness on potential hazards of arecanut use need to be addressed for parents, teachers and finally for secondary school children living in Male' City.


Key words: arecanut use, arecanut, school children, arecanut chewing habit, hazards of arecanut.