Publication:

Prevalence of tobacco consumption among adults in urban field practice area NMC, Raichur, Karnataka, India

Background Tobacco is commonly smoked or chewed or inhaled. Smoking is a leading cause of many NCDs as well, has significant adverse effects on pregnancy. Chewing of tobacco is also a leading cause of oral cancer. About 1.3 billion people worldwide smoke and the number of smokers continue to rise. Among these, about 84% live in developing and traditional economy countries. Tobacco is fourth most common risk factors for disease and the second major cause of death worldwide. It is currently responsible for the death of one in ten adults’ worldwide (about 4.9 million deaths each year). The Objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of tobacco consumption urban population.

Methods Its a cross sectional, community based study was undertaken over a period of one year from January 2013 - December 2013, in Urban field Practice area of Navodaya Medical College.  Study population: People aged 18-65 years residing in the urban field practice area of NMC. Sampling method:  Systematic random sampling. Statistical analysis was done using chi square test by using SPSS version 17.

Results Total participants in the study were 1751, comprised of 964 males and 787 females. Current smoking- 26.72% (male-48.5%, female-0%), current smokeless tobacco use 12.5% (male-15.8% and female 8.5%).

Conclusions More than one third men use tobacco and tobacco use was more in middle aged adults. Overall tobacco use was more prevalent among middle and low income group.