Cultural Causes And Information Intervention Strategies Of Betel Nut Chewing Behavior

There is a growing awareness of the health problems caused by betel nut.This study explores the cultural causes behind betel nut chewing behavior from a cultural perspective,explains the mechanism of betel nut chewing behavior,and proposes informative intervention strategies.Through a questionnaire survey of 231 respondents with betel nut chewing habits in Changsha,it was found that the respondents were highly aware of the health information and had the intention to reduce or quit chewing betel nut,but the dissemination of health information hardly changed their actual chewing behavior.Through semi-structured in-depth interviews with 20 respondents,we found that the addictive nature of betel nut is only part of the reason why it is difficult to change betel nut chewing behavior,but the main reason is cultural,which can be summarized into four cultural factors:values,psychological state,personality characteristics and betel nut-related rituals and traditions.The current values encourage betel nut chewing,and the respondents’convergence psychology also contributes to betel nut chewing,while the betel nut-related ritual culture is still prevalent in Changsha,and the people’s warm and straightforward character further contributes to the popularity of betel nut in the area.The actual results of the two social studies are analyzed and combined with cognitive dissonance theory to elaborate a model of the occurrence of betel nut chewing behavior,and the information intervention countermeasures for betel nut chewing behavior are proposed in three directions:first,to optimize health communication media;second,to enhance public health awareness;and third,to build a positive and healthy social communication culture.These measures require the concerted efforts of health communication media,relevant departments and the public to accomplish.