Cross-sectional study on smokeless tobacco use, awareness and expenditure in an urban slum of Bhavnagar, western India

The National Medical Journal of India
Mihir Prafulbhai RupaniManav A Shah

Abstract

Data are sparse on smokeless tobacco (SLT) use in Bhavnagar. We assessed the prevalence and awareness of and expenditure on SLT use in Bhavnagar. We conducted a community-based, cross- sectional study in an urban slum of Bhavnagar on a sample of 260 SLT users for a period of three months in 2017. The prevalence of SLT use in Bhavnagar was 27.3% (95% CI 25%-30%). Mawa, a preparation of tobacco flakes mixed with areca nut and lime, was the most commonly chewed form of tobacco; commonly kept in the buccal mucosa. The mean age ofstarting SLT use was 25 years; the mean number of years since chewing was 15 years; the mean time tobacco was kept in the mouth per consumption was 5 minutes and the mean number of packets of tobacco consumed per day was five. The mean expenditure on SLT use per month was ?536. All SLT users were aware that tobacco consumption led to oral cancer. Peer influence was the most common (75%) reason for starting SLT use, and addiction was the most common (74%) reason for its continued use. Among SLT users, 47% had made at least one attempt to quit; of them, 98% had tried self-control for quitting but did not succeed. The most common (72%) reason given by those not able to quit (n=119) was addiction to SLT use. Am...Continue Reading

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