Betel-nut chewing and submucous fibrosis in Durban
Seedat, H.A.; van Wyk, C.W.
South African Medical Journal 74(11): 568-571
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 3194805 Document Number: 320775
A stratified random sample among South African Indians living in Durban revealed the occurrence of betel-nut chewing and the resultant submucous fibrosis (SF) to be relatively high. Women chewers predominated in a ratio of 13:1. The habit increased with age and 30,6% of women over 65 years practised the custom. Thirty-eight per cent of chewers revealed signs of impending and established SF; women predominated 70:1, and the majority of sufferers in this instance belonged to the age group 45-54 years (12,9%). Forty-six per cent of those with signs associated with SF had fibrous bands in the mouth and were regarded as having established SF. It was calculate that 5% of the total Indian population in South Africa could be chewers and that 2,3% may develop SF.