Betel Quid Awareness Among South Asian Immigrant Communities

This study examines how the attitudes and knowledge of first and second generation South Asian immigrants towards betel quid and oral health may help identify potential public health concerns in more developed countries.

The practice of betel quid, commonly known as Paan, has created a significant public health concern, particularly in South Asia, a region that contributes to about 40% of newly diagnosed oral cancer cases globally. As South Asian populations continue to migrate to destination countries, cultural practices such as betel quid chewing are increasingly being observed within immigrant communities. Given the well-established association between betel quid chewing and oral cancer, this raises concerns about the potential public health implications for destination countries with large South Asian populations.

To investigate this further, semi-structured interviews were conducted to eight South Asian immigrants, including four first generation immigrants and four second generation immigrants. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis across five themes. Results showed that first-generation immigrants knew more about betel quid overall and were more aware of its cultural contexts. Both first- and second-generation immigrants generally perceived that younger generations demonstrated better oral health practices and awareness overall. These findings may suggest generational differences in oral health awareness, although additional research with larger and more diverse samples is needed.