PREVALENCE STUDY OF ORAL MUCOSAL LESIONS IN A SELECTED CAMBODIAN POPULATION

The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of oral mucosal lesions in a selected Cambodian population to obtain pilot data useful in planning an oral health data base for the country. Due to unstable conditions in Cambodia, the validity of population data related to present census information is highly questionable. Therefore, prior to this investigation a census registration was carried out using local health workers as registrars in nine villages of a commune. In the period July 4-31, 1991, a total of 1319 individuals (953 women, 366 men, 15-99 yr) were examined by one oral surgeon in the nine villages of Kok Trop Commune, Kandal Stung District, southwest of the capital Phnom Penh. Clinical diagnoses were based on WHO criteria, Information on smoking habits, betel nut chewing habits, and alcohol use was collected by 4 Khmer dental personnel. In total, 71 lesions were recorded in 64 (4.9%) individuals. Leukoplakia was found in 1.1%, lichen lesions in 1.8%, candidosis in 1.4%, submucous fibrosis in 0.2%, cancer in 0.1% and other diagnoses in 0.8%. The prevalence of leukoplakia was 2.2% and 0.6% among men and women respectively, a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). There were significantly more smokers (P<0.01) among subjects with leukoplakia (64.3%) than among those without this lesion (28.6%). All subjects with lichen lesions were women. The age-adjusted relative risk for developing lichen among betel nut chewers as compared to non-chewers was 3.3. This study has provided information on epidemiological aspects of oral mucosal lesions, including the relationship to etiological factors such as tobacco smoking and betel nut chewing, which might prove valuable in planning future oral health studies and implementing preventive programmes in Cambodia.