Relationship Between Behavioural Characteristics and Cytotoxicity in Undergraduate Subjects in Benin City, Nigeria

Background of Study: Exfoliative cytology is the microscopic examination of desquamated cells from the epithelial surface, usually the mucous membrane. It also includes the study of cells that can be collected from body fluids such as sputum, saliva and pleural fluid. These exfoliated cells removed using specific instruments, can be studied quantitatively or qualitatively.

Methods: This research utilised a cross-sectional study to determine the relationship between cytotoxicity and behavioural characteristics in buccal smear among undergraduate students at the University of Benin. A total of one hundred and ninety-five (195) participants were included. Participants' socio-demographics were collected via questionnaires. The Papanicolaou staining technique was used and viewed using a microscope. However, ?=0.05 and student T-test was used to assess the data.

Results: The findings indicated that Karyolysis was higher in the test group than the control group; however, this was not significant (P> 0.05); the Karyorrhesis was higher in the test group (0.81±0.44) than the control group (0.27±0.46) and was highly significant (P=3.3; P> 0.05). Also, the Pyknosis was higher in the test group than the control group and was significant. However, the comparison between male and female consenting participants and among age group showed no level of significance.

Conclusion: This study concludes that there is an association between oral sex and Pyknosis, indicating cytotoxicity. Also, biological factors (gender and age) and lifestyle factors (chewing gum, drinking hot beverages or playing musical instruments) have no relationship between cytotoxicity and behavioural characteristics in buccal smear of undergraduate subjects in this study.