Prevalence and Factors Associated With Smokeless Tobacco Use Among Adolescents Living in Tea Gardens of Dibrugarh District, Assam- A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND Tobacco epidemic is a matter of concern across the globe. Use of smokeless tobacco products pose a major challenge, as they are used in a variety of forms. Preventing smokeless tobacco use at adolescent age would provide an opportunity in prevention of noncommunicable diseases, particularly cancer. The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence and factors associated with smokeless tobacco use among adolescents living in tea gardens of Dibrugarh district, Assam. MATERIALS AND METHODS A community-based, cross-sectional study conducted from June 2016 to May 2017. Multistage sampling method was used to select 4 out of 144 tea gardens of Dibrugarh district of Assam. Data was collected by house-to-house survey using a pre-tested, predesigned proforma, interviewing 400 adolescents (both boys and girls). Bivariate and multivariate regression analysis of factors associated with smokeless tobacco use was done. RESULTS Gutka and khaini were the two smokeless tobacco forms used. Prevalence of current use of gutkha and khaini were 26.2% and 6.2% respectively. Male sex, late adolescent age, school dropouts, tobacco use by friends and ignorance about health hazards of tobacco were associated factors. CONCLUSION Smokeless tobacco use among adolescents of tea gardens of Assam is an area of concern and needs appropriate preventive measures to bring down the future morbidities and mortalities.