SMOKELESS TOBACCO USE AND ASSOCIATED SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS AMONG ADULTS IN AN URBAN RESETTLEMENT COLONY OF DELHI

Abstract

Background: Smokeless tobacco (SLT) consumption poses serious health problems and is considered to be a signicant risk factor for oral, esophageal and pancreatic cancers. Estimation of the magnitude of consumption of SLT would be useful in planning for tobacco control activities in the community. Objectives: The study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of smokeless tobacco (SLT) use among adult population and to identify the socioeconomic factors associated with the SLT use among them. Methods: This was a community based cross-sectional study conducted in an urban resettlement colony of North East Delhi among adult population (>18 years age). A pre-tested interview schedule adapted from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey India (GATS India) was used for data collection. Data was analyzed using SPPS version 25. Results: A total of 440 study participants were enrolled for the study. The overall prevalence of SLT use was 24.5% (95 % CI: 20.6 - 28.8), higher in males (28.7%)(OR 1.75) as compared to females (18.7%), more in graduate or above educated (34.6%)(OR 2.02), and among government employees (48.6%)(OR 4.2)(p<0.05). The prevalence of common forms of SLT consumed were: pan masala with tobacco (15%), gutka (12.3%), zarda (10.5%), khaini (9.3%), and gul (5.2%). The most common reason for initiation of SLT use among the users was found to be seeking enjoyment 46(42.6%). Only 35 (37.6%) current SLT users planned to quit SLT in next one year of the survey. Conclusion: Nearly one fourth of the study subjects used SLT and more among males, education level graduate and above, and Government employees. This highlights the need to plan behavior change communication strategies and counsel them for reduction or cessation of SLT use