Patterns of tobacco consumption among adolescent boys residing at Khasbag, Belgaum, Karnataka: A community based cross sectional study

Abstract

BACKGROUND Adotescence is the period during which lifestyle pattems of behavior are being formed. These behaviors set the stage for future health problems. The risk-taking and healthbullcompromising lifestyles are viewed as crucial determinants of future health iliness disability and premature mortality.hence the objective ofthe study was to know the prevalence and pattern oftobacco consumption amongst the adolescent boys residing in an urban community. METHODS The present study is a Community based Cross Sectional Study among 400 adolescent boys residing at Khasbag. Belgaum. Information on socio demographic profile. pattem oftobacco consumption was obtainedfrom adolescent boys aftertheirassent. RESULTS 50 of the participants belonged to 17bull18 years ofage. The main reason for iniiating tobacco consumption has been influence by friends. More than 34 consumers obtained the tobacco product from pan shops. As the age increased the number of particpants consuming tobacco also increased. This observationwas statistically significant.CONCLUSION The present study shows that aimost 15 of the adotescent boys in this urban community have been consumlng tobacco products the most prefered beng gutkha. The prevalence has been more in families With illiterate parents and with history oftobacco consumption in family members. Illiterate adolescent boys in the age group of 17bull19yrs have a greater chance of becoming victims to this dreaded habit. There is an urgent need to develop effective interventions to tackle this problem.nbsp