Publication:

A study to assess the pattern of alcohol and tobacco usage in the rural field practice area of a medical college in Tamil Nadu

Background Tobacco usage and alcohol consumption is a serious health issue to the society for ages. The consumption of alcohol and tobacco usage leads to medical and societal issues. An assessment of the pattern of tobacco usage and alcohol consumption in adult population is important to estimate the burden, and the risk factors associated with the same on the rural communities. There is a strong impact on the prevalence of NCDs by reduction in the usage of tobacco and alcohol products in the forthcoming decades.

Methods A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural field practice area of a medical college, using pre-validated, semi-structured questionnaire amongst 275 study participants a rural area. The adults aged 18 years and above who were currently using tobacco products and consuming alcohol were selected by simple random sampling using the tobacco assessment and AUDIT questionnaire for alcohol consumption.

Results The results showed a significant association between all the socio-demographic variables (except for gender) in the usage of tobacco products; the study found higher literacy levels in using the products more frequently. The age distribution, family arrangement and socio-economic status were associated with alcohol consumption as well. In the multivariate regression the socio-economic class were associated with alcohol consumption.

Conclusions The interventions should be targeted at the family and community level. There is a need for health education programs and de-addiction camps.