Tobacco chewing and associated factors among a vulnerable youth population in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Background Tobacco in any form kills millions of people every year. Tobacco addiction among youth shows an increasing trend while smokeless type is becoming more common. This study aimed to describe the lifestyle of chewing smokeless tobacco among a group of high-risk youth population in Sri Lanka. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of 1431 youths aged between 15 to 24 years residing in urban slums in Colombo Sri Lanka, using a cluster sampling technique combined with probability proportionate to size technique. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Chewing smokeless tobacco was assessed using betel quid chewing and commercially prepared tobacco and areca nut packet chewing. Current chewer was defined as who had the practice of chewing during past 30 days. Results The mean age of the study sample was 17.53 (95% CI: 17.40–17.65). Of the 1431 respondents, 57% were males and 43% were females. The prevalence of current smokeless tobacco chewers was 44.9% and among them 90.8% were males and 9.8% were females. Around 31.3% did not have smokeless tobacco chewing practice (Male-5.9%, Female-64.9%). Among the current smokeless tobacco chewers 21.5% chew both types of smokeless tobacco products and all of them were males. Male gender (OR 17.9; 11.4 -27.9) and ever smoking lifestyle (OR 4.4; 2.9–6.6) were significant determinants of current smokeless tobacco chewing lifestyle. Conclusion and recommendations The study shows a high prevalence of smokeless tobacco use by youth aged between 15 to 24 years who were residing in urban slum areas in the district of Colombo, in Sri Lanka, highlighting this target group for early intervention to reduce the uptake and promote the quitting of this practice.

An overview of the burden of oral cancer in Sri Lanka and its inequalities in the face of contemporary economic and social malaise

“…Third, national household surveys may not capture high‐risk demographic and occupation groups smoked and ST use, as declining population trends could skew the risky health‐related behaviours towards high‐risk groups 18,41 . Supporting this notion, a recent study reported an alarming prevalence of current ST chewing among urban slum dwelling youth aged 15–24 years, which was 44.9% 45 . Of those ST users, 90.8% were males 45 .…”

“…18,41 Supporting this notion, a recent study reported an alarming prevalence of current ST chewing among urban slum dwelling youth aged 15-24 years, which was 44.9%. 45 Of those ST users, 90.8% were males. 45 ST comprised betel quid and commercially prepared tobacco and arecanut products.…”

“…45 Of those ST users, 90.8% were males. 45 ST comprised betel quid and commercially prepared tobacco and arecanut products. 44 Fourth, household surveys on health-related behaviours, that are exclusively based on self-reports could be limited by recall bias and social desirability; both of which may result in underreporting.…”

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