Women and Tobacco Use: Discrepancy in the Knowledge, Belief and Behavior towards Tobacco Consumption among Urban and Rural Women in Chhattisgarh, Central India

Abstract

Background: Tobacco consumption has become pandemic, and is estimated to have killed 100 million people in the 20th century worldwide. Some 700,000 out of 5.4 million deaths due to tobacco use were from India. The era of global modernization has led to an increase in the involvement of women in tobacco consumption in the low income and middle-income countries. Tobacco consumption by females is known to have grave consequences. Objectives: To assess: (1) the tobacco use among urban and rural women; (2) the discrepancy in the knowledge, belief and behavior towards tobacco consumption among urban and rural women in Durg-Bhilai Metropolitan, Chhattisgarh, Central India. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 2,000 18-25 year old young women from Durg-Bhilai Metropolitan, Chhattisgarh, Central India, from both urban and rural areas. Data were collected using a pretested, anonymous, extensive face to face interview by a female investigator to assess the tobacco use among women and the discrepancy in the knowledge, belief and behavior towards tobacco consumption among urban and rural individuals. Results: The prevalence of tobacco use was found to be 47.2%. Tobacco consumption among rural women was 54.4% and in urban women was 40%. The majority of the women from urban areas (62.8%) were smokers whilst rural women (77.4%) showed preponderance toward smokeless tobacco use. Urban women had a better knowledge and attitude towards harms from tobacco and its use than the rural women. Women in rural areas had higher odds (1.335) of developing tobacco habit than the urban women. Conclusions: Increased tobacco use by women poses very severe hazards to their health, maternal and child health, and their family health and economic well-being. Due to the remarkably complex Indian picture of female tobacco use, an immediate and compulsory implementation of tobacco control policies laid down by the WHO FCTC is the need of the hour.

Ethnic disparities in prevalence and patterns of smoking and nicotine dependence in rural southwest China: a cross-sectional study

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Estimation of the prevalence of tobacco consumption among rural women in South India using mixed methods analysis

“…In contrast, the findings of another study done in central India among the women residing in both the rural and urban areas, the prevalence was 54.4%. [ 17 ] Further, it was reported that the prevalence of tobacco consumption among women was quite common in a rural area than in an urban area. [ 17 ] This could be due to the lack of awareness activities and poor sensitization of the general population, including women.…”

“Video Assisted Awareness Programme on Ill Effects of Tobacco and Pan-Chewing Among Migrant Labourers”

“…The knowledge of migrant labourers was assessed using a structured knowledge questionnaire prepared by the investigators after ensuring the validity and reliability. The questionnaire included items regarding to tobacco products, and health hazards due to tobacco usage and data [5][6][7][8][9][10] was collected through interview technique. The researchers also collected data on demographic details of the samples and habits of tobacco and pan chewing through structured tool and interviewing the samples.…”

“…The researchers also collected data on demographic details of the samples and habits of tobacco and pan chewing through structured tool and interviewing the samples. A video including introduction to tobacco and pan chewing, ill effects of tobacco and pan chewing, ways to avoid tobacco and pan chewing habits was prepared by the researchers and validated by [5][6][7][8][9][10] experts from different disciplines. The study was completed within 9 months.…”