Publication: Epidemiological Study of Tobacco Smoking Behaviour amongst Residents of the Hill Region of Nepal
Date
2016
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Tobacco use is still a serious public health problem in the world and represents a
major cause of morbidity and mortality in most parts of the world.
Objective
To measure the prevalence of tobacco use and to identify the factors associated with
tobacco use among the residents of Dhankuta Municipality.
Method
The cross-sectional study was conducted among the residents of the Dhankuta
Municipality where 205 households were taken as subjects. Pretested semi-
structured questionnaire was used for data collection and face to face interview
was conducted. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to see the
association between various factors and tobacco use and identify the predictor
variables.
Result
Overall prevalence of tobacco consumption in Dhankuta Municipality was found
to be 57.1%. Prevalence of tobacco consumption among the male was significantly
higher (67%) than female (47.1%) (p<0.05). Most of the respondents (56.4%) started
consuming tobacco due to peer pressure and for recreation (24.8%). The multivariate
logistic regression showed that the people with illiterate have higher chances of
consuming tobacco than above School Leaving Certificate (OR 38.395, 95% CI=3.209-
459.417). The respondents below poverty line (<1.25 US$) was consuming tobacco
more than above poverty line (≥1.25 US $) (OR 6.814, 95% CI= 1.255-36.986).
Conclusion
The aims of this study was to measure the prevalence of tobacco use and to identify
the factors associated with tobacco use among the residents of the Dhankuta
Municipality. We conclude that the prevalence rate of tobacco consumption in the
Dhankuta Municipality was found to be moderately high. Factors like male in gender,
Brahmin/Chhetri in ethnicity, lack of education, poor occupation like farmer and
housewife, poor economic status were associated with tobacco use.
KEY WORDS
Epidemiological study, residents, tobacco smoking behavior
Description
Sah RB,1 Pradhan B,2 Subedi L,1 Karki P,2 Jha N1
1School of Public Health and Community Medicine
2Department of Internal Medicine
B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences,
Dharan, Nepal
Keywords
Epidemiological study, residents, tobacco smoking behavior