A Study on the Prevalence of Betel Quid Chewing and Cigarette Smoking and Knowledge Related to Health Consciousness among Prisoners in Kaohsiung County

• Main Authors: Chen Man Ling, 陳嫚翎
• Other Authors: Sjieh Tien Yu
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2003
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/2dzv4g

碩士 === 高雄醫學大學 === 口腔衛生科學研究所碩士在職專班 === 91 === Abstract Many studies have indicated that substance use, such as betel quid chewing, cigarette smoking, and alcohol drinking, is influenced by personal characteristics (e.g. sex, socioeconomic status, and education level). In general, this phenomenon is more evident in men than in women. Additionally, individuals with lower educational level and social-economical status tend to have higher levels of substance use. This study focused on a special population group, prisoners, to establish the prevalence rates of betel quid chewing, cigarette smoking, and alcohol drinking, and health consciousness among prisoners before their imprisonment. Prisoners (adult males aged 18 and above, with a fixed-term sentence of 10 years or more) from Kaohsiung County, Da-Liao Jail were selected for this study. 976 copies of a questionnaire were distributed, all of which were completed and returned by the prisoners (100% recovery rate). Questionnaire data were keyed in using MS Access and JMP version 4.0 for organization and data analysis. The findings suggested: (1) The use of betel quid , cigarettes , and alcohol were 67.2%, 85.3% and 46.4% respectively Among the 18-34 year-old age group, the number of users were 73.1%, 92.9% and 48.9% each. The majority (37%) use all there substance simultaneously Those who only chew betel quid and cigarette smoke were in the minority (26.8%). However, very few individuals only singularly use one of the above mentioned substances, while the percentage of individuals using none of the substances is the lowest among the 18-34 year-old age group (4.8%). The general public exhibited similar habits of relative substance use. However, the percentage of simultaneous substance use is much higher in the general public, while that of using none of the substances is lower; (2) The consumption of betel quid, cigarettes, and alcohol is influenced by the following factors: where age is concerned, the younger the individual is, the higher the percentage of substance use; when marital status is concerned, the percentage of married individuals who are seperated and use none of the substances is higher among the 50-64 year-old age group; when education level is concerned, junior high school graduates exhibited the highest percentage of using the three substances simultaneously, elementary school graduates exhibited the highest percentage of not using any of the three substances. When considering single substance use, high school and vocational school graduates exhibited the highest percentages of using cigarettes and betel quid, respectively; (3) Health consciousness and attitude evaluation: the 18-34 year-old group has the highest degree of health risk consciousness The attitude of using betel quid is only influenced by age, with the 18-49 year-old age group being neutral toward negative attitude (i.e. they do not repel the behavior of betel quid chewing). Individuals with higher educational levels have higher scores. The aboriginal race group has the lowest health consciousness among all race groups; (4) Health consciousness of individuals using all three substances is higher than that of the non-users. With regard to attitude, individuals using all three substances have a better attitude than the non-users. This study concluded that there was 70% of prisoners educated under junior high school who used betel quid, cigarettes and alcohol simultaneously. In addition, the higher the knowledge on health related risk consciousness, the higher the abuse frequency. Keywords: betel quid, cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, prisoner