Assessment of Oral Health Status, Oral Health Beliefs, and Tobacco Habits Among the Katkari Tribe in Goa, India: A Cross‐Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: The Katkari tribe in Goa, India, faces significant oral health challenges due to cultural beliefs, poor access to healthcare, and high tobacco consumption. This study aims to assess the oral health status, oral health beliefs, and tobacco habits within this isolated community. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 101 participants from tribal settlements in North and South Goa between October and December 2023. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographics, oral hygiene practices, myths about oral health, and tobacco use. Participants underwent clinical examination using the WHO Oral Health Assessment Form. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 20, with descriptive statistics and Chi-Square test and Fisher's exact test to explore associations between variables. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 28.9 years, with 57.4% females. Most participants had low educational levels, and 64.35% reported using toothbrushes for oral hygiene. However, brushing habits were suboptimal, with 64.4% using incorrect brushing techniques. Myths such as "clove oil relieves toothache" (68.3%) and "tobacco relieves toothache" (51.5%) were prevalent. Tobacco use was high, with 66.3% consuming smokeless tobacco, and the most common reasons for use were family influence (37.6%) and peer pressure (28.7%). Education and occupation significantly influenced oral health behavior and tobacco habits. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the significant oral health challenges faced by the Katkari tribe, including poor hygiene practices, high tobacco use, and widespread myths. These issues are compounded by low education levels and limited healthcare access. Culturally sensitive health education, community-based interventions, and tobacco cessation programs are needed to address these challenges and improve the overall health of the community.