Mastication Profile and Alternative Healthy Mastication Model using Coconut Frond Shaving in Karo Women

Abstract

Introduction: The use of tobacco in mastication activity has been widely known throughout the world. In China, the prevalence of mastication activity using betel leaves during student age is around 3.9%. Karo women in Deli Serdang are one of the population in Indonesia whose known have mastication habit since a long time ago. This study aimed to know the profile of the mastication model in Karo women as a primary aim and introduce coconut frond shavings mastication as the healthy mastication model. Method: This research was a combination of qualitative-quantitative diffusion of innovations research, with four stages, those are: diagnosis of action, plan of action, implementation of actions, and evaluation of an action. Results: Systolic blood pressure, diastole blood pressure, and blood sugar levels among coconut fronds chewers were less than tobacco chewers. This data also showed statistically different among two variables (p <0, 05).Conclusion: It may indicate that the health status of chewers tobacco is far worse than the health status of the chewers' shavings of coconut fronds. From the process of transferring this technology, obtaining togetherness in vigorous editing becomes an alternative to adopt healthy mastication can be done more quickly.