Preliminary study of chewing betel leaf and its adverse effects in Aden

The presented study was addressed to identify the factors that lead to increase the spreading of chewing betel leaf and its adverse effects in Aden. The study was performed by direct interviews with consumers of betel leaf, the total number of selected people was 389, including all age group starting from 8 years up to more than 50 years old, both sexes in all of the Aden Governorate, in period from March to June 2014. 3.6% was the starting age of chewing betel leaf 8years old, and the commonest age of the chewer was between15-25 years which formed 59.1%, males more common than females 92. 5%, while education level was 45.2% secondary school students,37.5% university students, 78.9% were singles while21,1 % were married. 86.1% used betel with Zarda and Socka which is the main source of health danger,25 betel leaves are the maximum quantity chewed per day, 20.3% of chewer reflect dependence, and addiction as side effects. The early age of starting the chewing betel leaf, and its rapid prevalence reflected a serious issue among young students. Chewing betel leaves badly affects the health of chewers as well as the community.