AUTHOR=Hsu Chen-Yuan , Chang Pei-Chi , Yan Sheng-Lei 

TITLE=Self-Confidence, Not Self-Awareness, Is Negatively Associated With Areca Nut Dependence

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Nutrition

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.898264

DOI=10.3389/fnut.2022.898264

ISSN=2296-861X

ABSTRACT=<p>Areca nut is the fourth most commonly used addictive substance globally. Therefore, this study aimed to examine correlations among areca nut self-awareness, areca nut cessation self-confidence, and areca nut dependence in the Taiwanese population. This was a descriptive study in which 120 areca nut chewers who sought medical attention at a regional hospital and were residents of the Yunlin-Chiayi area, were recruited as study subjects. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection, which included demographic data, an areca nut self-awareness scale, an areca nut cessation self-confidence scale, and an areca nut dependence scale. A Pearson correlation analysis revealed that areca nut self-awareness and areca nut cessation self-confidence were not significantly correlated (<italic>r</italic> = 0.16, <italic>p</italic> = 0.069). Areca nut self-awareness and areca nut dependence also did not have a significant correlation (<italic>r</italic> = −0.06, <italic>p</italic> = 0.511). However, we found that areca nut cessation self-confidence and areca nut dependence were significantly negatively correlated (<italic>r</italic> = −0.37, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001), that is, the higher the areca nut cessation self-confidence, the lower the areca nut dependence. In addition, areca nut self-awareness showed significant correlations by age (<italic>r</italic> = 4.54, <italic>p</italic> = 0.005), occupation (<italic>r</italic> = 2.91, <italic>p</italic> = 0.02), and family support (<italic>r</italic> = 3.83, <italic>p</italic> = 0.03). Scheffe's <italic>post-hoc</italic> test revealed significant differences that subjects whose family members were extremely supportive of areca nut cessation had higher areca nut self-awareness. In conclusion, areca nut cessation self-confidence and areca nut dependence showed a significant negative correlation. Areca nut self-awareness revealed significant correlations by age, occupation, and family support. The results of this study can be used to provide a reference for implementing areca nut cessation policies in the future.</p>