Declining trends in smokeless tobacco use among Indian women: findings from global adult tobacco survey I and II

Shishirendu Ghosal,Abhinav Sinha,Sanghamitra Pati,Srikanta Kanungo

doi:10.1186/s12889-021-12089-6

Shishirendu Ghosal, Abhinav Sinha + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-12089-6

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Abstract

BackgroundSmokeless Tobacco (SLT) use is culturally rooted and more acceptable among women in India. SLT is a significant risk for oral cancers and has other adverse health outcomes on women’s general as well as reproductive health. This study aimed to estimate and compare the prevalence and correlates of SLT among adult females in India using Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2009–2010 (GATS 1) and 2016–2017 (GATS 2).MethodsData from a nationally representative cross-sectional study GATS 1 (n = 35,529) and GATS 2 (n = 40,265) were analysed for adult female smokeless tobacco users. Correlates of SLT exposure were assessed separately using binary logistic regression. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done for the variables which computed p < 0.1. The association was expressed as Adjusted Odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals.ResultsThere was a reduction in prevalence of SLT use among women in India between GATS 1 (18.4%) and GATS 2 (12.8%). SLT use was highest among the North-Eastern women in both rounds [AOR: 4.567 (3.942–5.292) during GATS-1 and 9.149 (7.722–10.839) during GATS-2]. Odisha had highest prevalence of 56.53% while Himachal Pradesh had lowest 0.14% during the recent GATS 2 survey. 33.3% vs. 34.80% of the participants were willing to quit tobacco in Central region across both rounds of survey.ConclusionsAlthough, smokeless tobacco prevalence among females has reduced between 2009 and 2016 in India, yet tobacco control strategies need further pace. Hence, more focused gender-based tobacco control programs and policies are the need of time.

Highlights

Smokeless Tobacco (SLT) use is culturally rooted and more acceptable among women in India
In the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS)-1, there were 14.91% daily SLT users and 3.49% less than daily SLT users, whereas in GATS-2, there were 11.09% daily SLT users and 1.68% less than daily SLT users making the prevalence of SLT use to be 18.4 and 12.8% respectively (Table 1)
This study provided an overview of smokeless tobacco prevalence and its trend among adult women in India using a nationally representative data from two rounds of GATS Survey

Summary

Introduction

Smokeless Tobacco (SLT) use is culturally rooted and more acceptable among women in India. SLT is a significant risk for oral cancers and has other adverse health outcomes on women’s general as well as reproductive health. Tobacco consumption is more widespread amongst males but, it is evident that young girls and women tend to use SLT. SLT is a potential threat for women’s general as well as reproductive health [7]. Regular SLT consumption leads to several adverse health outcomes such as oropharyngeal cancers, heart diseases, osteoporosis, reproductive morbidities including infertility and pregnancy complications [8, 9]. SLT use has been associated with compromised nutritional status leading to weak immunity and increased vulnerability to infections [12, 13]

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