Alcohol and tobacco use among preconception women in India

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Most of the women who use alcohol and tobacco before pregnancy likely to use alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy. The objectives of this study was to describe alcohol and tobacco use, and to identify associated characteristics during preconception period. Methods The Indian National Family Health Survey-4 was used. A total of 65,238 preconception, young, married women were included and analysed usingbivariate and multivariate analyses statistical techniques. Results The data revealed that 4.3% of preconception women in India were using alcohol and tobacco. The prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use was higher among older women (5.6%), Scheduled Tribes (14.2%), living in rural areas (5.0%), non-educated (8.9%), poorest households (9.1%), northeast region (25.0%) and with a low body mass index (BMI) (6.2%). The adjusted odds ratios shown that after controlling for important background factors, being Hindu, from scheduled tribes, already having children, being underweight, from poorest households and Northeast region had higher odds of alcohol and tobacco use compared to with their corresponding reference groups. Conclusion Findings suggest that preconception women of reproductive age who use alcohol and tobacco should be strongly encouraged and supported to quit alcohol and tobacco use before pregnancy for preventing adverse birth outcomes.