Year: 2026 | Month: August | Volume: 16 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 113-119
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260812
Prevalence and Exposure Pattern of Oral Precancerous Lesions Among Smokeless Tobacco Users of Rural Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh
Ravi Dangi1, V.K. Agrawal2, Yetnder Singh Patel3, Mukul Maheshwari4
1Post Graduate Resident, 2Dean and Professor, 3Senior Resident, 4Assistant Professor,
Rajshree Medical Research Institute, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh.
Corresponding Author: Ravi Dangi
ABSTRACT
Background: Smokeless tobacco (SLT) consumption is still a serious public health issue in India. especially in rural regions, where access to oral healthcare and knowledge are scarce. Long-term use of SLT puts people at risk for oral precancerous lesions (OPLs), which, if left untreated, can develop into cancer.
Objectives: To ascertain the frequency and trends of OPLs among rural tobacco chewers in Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh, and to identify associated socio-demographic and behavioural determinants.
Methods: From August to November 2025, 403 regular SLT users aged ≥ 18 years participated in a community-based cross-sectional study selected by simple random sampling. A pretested, semi-structured questionnaire was used to gather information on sociodemographic factors and SLT practices. Socioeconomic status was classified using the Modified BG Prasad Scale 2025. Oral examinations were performed following the WHO Oral Health Survey (2013) criteria. Jamovi was used to analyse the data, and the chi-square test was used to examine relationships at a significance level of 5%.
Results: The overall prevalence of OPLs was 37.5% (of 151/403). The most common lesions were oral submucous fibrosis (15.9%) and leucoplakia (12.4%), followed by lichen planus (6.0%) and erythroplakia (3.2%). OPLs were significantly associated with illiteracy (p=0.026), farming occupation (p=0.034), duration ≥5 years (p<0.001), and frequency >5 times/day (p<0.001).
Conclusion: In Bareilly, rural SLT users have a significant prevalence of oral precancerous lesions. Community-based screening, early detection, and tobacco cessation initiatives at the primary care level are essential to prevent malignant transformation.
Key words: Oral precancerous lesions, Oral submucous fibrosis, Rural Area, Smokeless tobacco, Bareilly.