OSMF and its Prevalence Amongst Rural Shop Owners in Panchkula District, Haryana, India: A Descriptive Study

INTRODUCTION: Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF), is a condition that is mostly associated with tobacco and areca nut chewing and find it prevalence to be higher in rural populations.AIM: To assess the prevalence of OSMF among rural shop owners in Panchkula district, Haryana, India.METHODOLOGY: A total of 321 shop owners in rural Panchkula were interviewed and examined for OSMF and associated lesions with the help of a preformed, pre-tested questionnaire. The population was divided into six stratas according to age(15- 24 years, 25- 34 years, 35- 44 years, 45-60 years and >60 years). Data was entered into Microsoft excel, Descriptive statistics were applied and statistics was done using SPSS 21.0.RESULT: Tobacco consumption in any form was seen in 197 (61.4%) shopkeepers, with OSMF being diagnosed in 49 (15.3%) of them comprising of 42 males and 7 females. The majority of subjects having OSMF (17, 34.7%) were seen in the age group of 45-54 years.CONCLUSION: It is highly advised that health education regarding tobacco consumption and its ill-effects be provided to rural population in Panchkula district.