Narghile (water pipe) smoking among university students in Jordan: prevalence, pattern and beliefs

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background and objectives</p> <p>Narghile is becoming the favorite form of tobacco use by youth globally. This problem has received more attention in recent years. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and pattern of narghile use among students in three public Jordanian universities; to assess their beliefs about narghile's adverse health consequences; and to evaluate their awareness of oral health and oral hygiene.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was a cross-sectional survey of university students. A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was distributed randomly to university students in three public Jordanian universities during December, 2008. The questionnaire was designed to ask specific questions that are related to smoking in general, and to narghile smoking in specific. There were also questions about oral health awareness and oral hygiene practices.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>36.8% of the surveyed sample indicated they were smokers comprising 61.9% of the male students and 10.7% of the female students in the study sample. Cigarettes and narghile were the preferred smoking methods among male students (42%). On the other hand, female students preferred narghile only (53%). Parental smoking status but not their educational level was associated with the students smoking status. Smokers had also significantly poor dental attendance and poor oral hygiene habits.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study confirmed the spreading narghile epidemic among young people in Jordan like the neighboring countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region. Alarming signs were the poor oral health awareness among students particularly smokers.</p

Prevalence of Temporomandibular Disorder Symptoms among Orthognathic Patients in Southern Germany: Retrospective Study

This study investigated the prevalence of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) among patients before and after orthognathic surgery and assessed the effect of orthognathic surgery on each of the TMD symptoms (clicking, pain, crepitus, and MRI findings). A sample of 100 consecutive patients undergoing bimaxillary surgery for correction of craniofacial deformities (31 male and 69 female), with ages ranging between 17 and 58 years (mean age: 27.7 ± 9.3 years), were interviewed and examined regarding signs and symptoms of TMD. Clinical examination and X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging of the temporomandibular junction were performed at the time of surgery and 1 year thereafter. The prevalence of TMD preoperatively and postoperatively was 35% and 27%, respectively. A high frequency of relief was found in the patients with TMD symptoms (74.3%; 19 (70.3%) of patients had reduced clicking, 7 (87.5%) patients had reduced pain, 4 (100%) patients had reduced crepitus, and 4 (57.1%) patients showed changes in MRI findings), 12 patients who were asymptomatic before surgery developed clicking in TMJ after surgery, 3 developed pain, and 3 developed crepitus. TMD problems can occur in a variety of patients, including those who have facial deformities, and require orthognathic surgery. However, orthognathic surgery may not predictably treat or reduce the symptoms of TMD