Determinants of salivary cotinine among smokeless tobacco users

Background: Smokeless tobacco products due to their high nicotine content, are highly addictiveand ultimately lead to an increased risk of oral cavity, laryngeal and esophageal cancer. Thisresearch was conducted with the aim of assess the relationship between the salivary cotinine anddemographic characteristics and smokeless tobacco use for the first time in tradesmen inChabahar, Iran.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on ۱۵۰ different tradesmen usingsmokeless tobacco in Chabahar who were selected through simple random sampling in ۲۰۱۸. Inaddition to the salivary cotinine measurement, data were collected using a researcher-madequestionnaire with demographic and behavioral items. The data obtained were analyzed in SPSS-۱۶ using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: The mean salivary cotinine score was ۸۸۷.۷±۱۸۰.۷ in men and ۶۱۱.۲±۱۳۹.۷ in women,making for a significant intergroup difference (P=۰.۰۴۳). The mean salivary cotinine score washigher in those who used two or more smokeless tobacco products compared to those who usedone type of tobacco, and a significant difference was observed between the type of smokelesstobacco used and the salivary cotinine score in the participants (P=۰.۰۰۵).Conclusion: Based on the results of the regression analysis, the type of smokeless tobacco usedwas a strong predictor of the concentration of salivary cotinine in the participants. It is thereforenecessary for the government to adopt appropriate policies and take educational measures toreduce the vending and use of these substances.

کلیدواژه ها:

Salivary Cotinine ، Smokeless Tobacco ، Tradesmen.