Effectiveness of Areca Nut Cessation Classes: Insights from a Hospital-Based Study

Effectiveness of Areca Nut Cessation Classes: Insights from a Hospital-Based Study

The consumption of areca nut is linked to several health risks, such as oral and esophageal cancer, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. This study determines the effectiveness of areca nut cessation classes at Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, and the demographic factors that affect the ability to cease consumption. A total of 80 outpatients aged more than 18 years with a history of areca nut use participated. They completed a questionnaire on demographics, usage patterns, and self-awareness after cessation classes. The cessation program included face-to-face sessions that led by a public health nurse, followed by telephone-based follow-ups over 100 days.
The results show that most participants were male (96%) and worked in technical fields (49%). Despite variability in initiation age and daily consumption, cessation class participants across all age groups had similar potential to cease consumption and those who consumed fewer nuts daily (less than 20 pieces per day) showed higher cessation rates. The study demonstrates the importance of early intervention for low-consumption users to maximize the possibility of cessation.