Informatics Publishing Limited

B. R. Premalatha ¹, A. Saileela ², V. G. Doddawad ¹, D. S. Vidya Priyadharshini ³, S. R. Banavar ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, JSS Dental College and Hospital, JSS University, Mysore, IN
2 Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, MS Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangalore, IN
3 Department of Periodontics, JSS Dental College and Hospital, JSS University, Mysore

Abstract

Background:Oral cancer is globally recognized as a major oncological problem. Tobacco in the form of chewing/smoking is one of the main etiological factors of oral cancer. Tobacco habits are usually initiated during adolescence; hence this survey focuses on eliciting the various aspects of the tobacco habit among the youth.

Objectives: To elicit and evaluate various aspects, practises of tobacco habits; attitude towards the habit and oral cancer awareness among the urban youth.

Material and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 1000 individuals in the age group of 15-24 years in Bangalore city. The target group comprised of college students and young officials. The results were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis using SAS software.

Results: The findings in our study showed tobacco usage among 15.8% (158) of the study population, among which there were no females. Out of 158, 13.4% smoked, 0.9% had the habit of chewing tobacco and 1.5% had both. 17 - 18 years was the most common age at which the habit was initiated. 28% responded regarding tobacco associated oral cancer, out of which 3% were unaware that tobacco causes oral cancer. 6% had the intention of quitting the habit.

Conclusion: Oral cancer awareness programs are the need of the hour. The vulnerable, impressionable young adult age group should be urgently addressed. It is the responsibility of every oral health professional to impart knowledge and motivate the youth to put an end to the tobacco menace.

Keywords

Chewing Tobacco, Oral Cancer, Smoking, Tobacco, Tobacco Habits.

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B. R. Premalatha ¹, Jagadeeswari Sudhir ², Usha Hegde ¹, H. S. Sreeshyla ¹, Vidyadevi Chandavarkar ³, Mithilesh N. Mishra ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, JSS Dental College and Hospital, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysore - 570015, Karnataka, IN
2 Yoga Prana Vidya (YPV), Sri Ramana Trust, Mysore Yoga Vidya Pranic Healers Association (MYPHA), Mysore - 570022, Karnataka, IN
3 Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dental Sciences, Sharda University, Uttar Pradesh - 201308, IN

Abstract

Superbrain asana (SBA) is an ancient yogic exercise which is claimed to boost holistic well-being. It is established on the principles of subtle energy movement in the body and ear acupuncture. Proponents assert that this exercise improves cognition and academic performance. Our study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of SBA on the academic performance in dental students by comparison of the pre-intervention and post-intervention test scores. This interventional research had a pretest – posttest design and was conducted on 99 dental undergraduate students. SBA exercise was implemented for three months for six days in a week. Pre and post-intervention tests with multiple choice questions were administrated to the students without giving any prior intimation. The test scores were compared and the observations were subjected to statistical analysis. The data collected were analysed with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test of significance. It was found that there was a statistically significant increase in the median test scores after the intervention (p-value <0.001).With our study, we conclude that Superbrain asana intervention is highly effective in improving the academic performance of the dental students and it can be successfully incorporated into the professional education curriculum.

Keywords

Academic Performance, Dental Students, Holistic Development, Superbrain Asana, Superbrain Yoga.

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