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Q Bulletin, Volume 1, No. 32 (Supplement 1), Jan - Dec 202412th National QA Convention, 8 %u2013 10 October 2024PP-15Reducing the Percentage of Orang Asli (OA) Students with Betel Nut (BN) ChewingHabits in Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Paloh Hinai (SMKPH)Abd Halim AB1, Muhammad Z1, Prasanna R1, Ain NS1, Intan SK2, Wan NF3, Norsyahira K4, Nur AH51Klinik Pergigian Chini, Pekan, Pahang2 Pejabat Kesihatan Pergigian Daerah Pekan, Pahang3 Klinik Pergigian Nenasi, Pekan, Pahang4 Klinik Pergigian Padang Rumbia, Pekan, Pahang5 Klinik Pergigian Peramu Jaya, Pekan, PahangSELECTION OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT:A screening conducted in SMKPH in 2022 showed that 31% of Orang Asli (OA) students chew the betelnut (BN). BN chewing is one of the risk factors for oral cancer and is associated with other adverse healthoutcomes. This study aimed to reduce the percentage of OA students with BN chewing habits in SekolahMenengah Kebangsaan Paloh Hinai (SMKPH).KEY MEASURES FOR IMPROVEMENT:The key indicator for improvement was measured using the percentage of OA students with BN chewinghabits. The standard is %u226415% based on consensus with the Senior Dental Officer of Pekan district.PROCESS OF GATHERING INFORMATION:A quality improvement study was conducted from April %u2013 May 2023, involving 42 OA students andseven dental officers. The data were collected from patient records and questionnaires were used toidentify the contributing factors. Implementation of remedial measures and re-evaluation conducted fromJune 2023 %u2013 January 2024.ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION:The pre-remedial study showed that 34% of OA students chew the BN. The contributing factors were thebelief that BN chewing is beneficial (95%), low awareness (83%), and constant exposure to BN chewinghabits (57%).STRATEGIES FOR CHANGE:Educational interventions were provided to all BN chewers and behavioural changes were monitoredthrough several group sessions. Parents were invited to attend the Majlis Temu Mesra, an awarenessprogramme focused on gaining support from the parents. Continuing Dental Education on BN given to alldental officers.EFFECT OF CHANGE:The percentage of the belief that BN chewing is beneficial reduced from 95% to 26%, low awarenessfrom 83% to 0%, and constant exposure to BN from 57% to 19%. The percentage of BN chewers reducedfrom 34% to 13%, and the Achievable Benefit Not Achieved improved from 19% to -2%.THE NEXT STEP:A BN cessation programme, namely KETAP (Kesihatan Oral Tanpa Pinang), has been formulated bycombining all of the remedial actions done in this study. KETAP will be implemented in all schools inPekan district, with the collaboration of Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli.66 | Page