Correlates of Betel Nut Chewing among Burmese Refugees in Nebraska

Background: Betel nut chewing is an important risk factor for oral cancer, yet there has been little research identifying correlates of betel nut chewing among Burmese refugees in the U.S. Methods: Based on survey data from 188 Burmese refugees from Nebraska between 2015 and 2016, logistic regression was estimated to identify correlates of betel nut chewing. Results: The prevalence rate of betel nut chewing among participating Burmese refugees in Nebraska was 29%. Relative to Burmese refugees who had an education of less than high school, refugees with higher education were less likely to report betel nut chewing (AOR=0.1, 95% CI (0.02, 0.61)). Refugees who worked full time had higher odds of chewing betel nuts compared to those otherwise (AOR=6.17, 95% CI (1.80, 21.10)). Delaying medication purchase due to cost during the past 12 months was associated with higher odds of betel nut chewing (AOR=5.20, 95% CI (1.02, 26.39)). Conclusions: Betel nut chewing was common among Burmese refugees in the U.S., yet the odds of betel nut chewing varied across different socioeconomic groups.