Perceived Change in Tobacco Use and Its Associated Factors among Older Adults Residing in Rohingya Refugee Camps during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study explored the perceived change in tobacco use during the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated factors among older adults residing in Rohingya refugee camps, also referred to as Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals in Bangladesh. The study followed a cross-sectional design and was conducted in October 2020 among 416 older adults aged 60 years and above. A purposive sampling technique was applied to identify eligible participants, and face-to-face interviews were conducted using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire to collect the data. Participants were asked if they noted any change in their tobacco use patterns (smoking or smokeless tobacco) during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic. Binary logistic regression models determined the factors associated with the perceived change in tobacco use. More than one in five participants (22.4%) were current tobacco users, of whom 40.8% reported a perceived increase in tobacco use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adjusted analysis revealed that participants who were concerned about COVID-19 had significantly (p < 0.05) lower odds of perceived increase in tobacco use (aOR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.06–0.73), while older adults who were overwhelmed by COVID-19 (aOR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.06–1.18) and communicated less frequently with others during the pandemic than before (aOR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.03–1.20) had marginally significantly (p < 0.1) lower odds of perceived increase in tobacco use during this pandemic. Relevant stakeholders, policymakers, and practitioners need to focus on strengthening awareness-raising initiatives as part of an emergency preparedness plan to control tobacco use during such a crisis period.

Introduction to the Special Issue “Emerging Trends in Combustible Tobacco and Vaping Product Use”

“…Findings from this study indicate increases in exclusive use of ENDS over time and decreases in poly-product use involving combustible cigarettes. Many articles in this Special Issue also point to group differences in product use patterns by tobacco use history and sociodemographic factors, such as age, sex/gender identity, sexual orientation, and race/ethnicity (e.g., [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]). Such findings underscore the importance of ongoing efforts to assess differences in use patterns, while product and policy contexts continue to evolve to understand and address potential health disparities across population subgroups.…”

“…Other studies describe patterns and correlates of nicotine/tobacco product use in specific policy environments and/or settings. For example, a study from Mistry et al [16] reports on perceived changes in tobacco use during the COVID-19 pandemic among older adults in Rohingya refugee camps. In this article, the authors underscore the importance of surveillance activities and tobacco-control efforts to mitigate tobacco-related harm for at-risk groups during periods of crisis.…”