Betel nut: the prevalence of a carcinogenic substance as a social food—a study based on Xiangtan, Hunan province, China

ABSTRACT

Background

Betel nut is a popular but addictive and carcinogenic food. Xiangtan City, Hunan Province, China, is a typical area where betel nut is in vogue.

Method

We traced the use, spread and prevalence of betel nut in Xiangtan City through literature review, and data collection.

Results

The prevalence of betel nut in Xiangtan City is closely related to the behavioral choices of local people, betel nut enterprises, and the local government. The public’s pursuit for betel nut chewing, the continuous development and innovation of betel nut enterprises and the support, and promotion of local government have jointly formed a positive closed-loop that promotes the popularity of betel nut locally.

Conclusions

The interaction amongst the public, the government, and betel nut enterprises provides a breakthrough path for subsequent prevention and reduction of betel nut chewing and betel nut-related oral diseases.

KEYWORDS:

• Betel nut
• substance use
• prevalence
• culture
• social

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.