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The association between oral leukoplakia and use of tobacco, alcohol and that based on relative risks assessment in Kenya
Author(s) -
Macigo Francis Grthua,
Mwaniki David Lemmy,
Guthua Simon Wangombe
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
european journal of oral sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.802
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1600-0722
pISSN - 0909-8836
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0722.1995.tb00025.x
Subject(s) - leukoplakia , medicine , oral leukoplakia , environmental health , association (psychology) , chewing tobacco , tobacco use , relative risk , alcohol , dentistry , biology , psychology , confidence interval , cancer , biochemistry , psychotherapist , population
A case‐control study was conducted to determine the significance of tobacco, alcohol and Khat (Catlia edulis) chewing habits in the development of oral leukoplakia among Kenyans aged 15 yr and over. In a house‐to‐house survey, 85 cases and 141 controls matched for sex, age and cluster origin was identified and compared for these risk factors. Smoking unprocessed tobacco (Kiraiku) with a relative risk (RR) of 10.0 (95% confidence interval (CI)=2.9‐38.4) and smoking cigarettes (RR = 8.4; 95% CI = 4.1‐17.4) were the most significant factors. While the RR associated with smoking cigarettes alone was 4.5 (95% CI= 1.9‐10.8), smoking of both products (RR= 15.2) suggested probable synergy or additive effects. Oral leukoplakia in 18 cases could not be attributed to smoking tobacco. Commercial beer, wines and spirits were relatively weak, but statistically significant, risk factors. Traditional beer, khat and chilies were not significantly associated with oral leukoplakia.