Tobacco Utilisation and It’s Effects on Oral Health – A Study Amongst Migrant Labourers in Kancheepuram District of Tamil Nadu

Introduction: The Indian nation is currently reaping the fruits of the economic liberalisation policies of the nineties and the subsequent information technology boom. Across the country, cities are witnessing large scale construction projects as India heads into the future. Caught in all this maelstrom is the migrant labourer. Amongst this population, tobacco use is rampant not just as part of culture, it also happens to be the answer to their other frequent companions – boredom, loneliness and worry.

Method: A random sampling amongst fifteen workers threw up surprising numbers with regard to tobacco habits and precancerous lesions. The significant figures persuaded us to attempt a larger study within this population. 252 migrant workers underwent oral screening at various camp sites in one of the sub – urban zones of Chennai City.

Results: Within the study population, the prevalence of tobacco habit was 57%. 21% of the whole sample had some form of oral pre – cancerous lesion. An eighteen year old girl had oral sub mucous fibrosis. Tobacco is a leading harbinger of death to a greater proportion of those hailing from low socio – economic back grounds. Poor access to medical facilities for early diagnosis and care fuelled by illiteracy tends to fan the trend.

Conclusion: These migrant labourers are changing the face of the Indian nation but what about themselves? Are they being forgotten by the nation? This study is a small effort towards understanding and highlighting one of the ways in which India is being ravaged by tobacco.

Key Words: Migrant Labourers, Tobacco, Oral pre – Cancerous Lesions, Leukoplakia, India.

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