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Research Journal of Medical Sciences

ISSN: Online 1993-6095
ISSN: Print 1815-9346
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Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors Influencing Tobacco use in Slum and Non‐Slum Populations of Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh

Mokalla Venkateswara Rao, Kesagani Sujana Goud, C. Tej Kumar and D. Swarjith Kumar
Page: 51-56 | Received 20 Jul 2024, Published online: 04 Sep 2024

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https://doi.org/10.36478/10.36478/makrjms.2024.10.51.56

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Abstract

Tobacco use is one of the leading preventable causes of death and disability globally. Despite declining rates in developed countries, tobacco consumption continues to rise in developing nations, including India, posing significant public health challenges. This study aims to investigate and evaluate the factors and trends of tobacco consumption among adult males in urban slum and non‐slum areas of Vijayawada City. A cross‐sectional descriptive study was conducted in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India. The study involved 2008 adult males and females from selected slum and non‐slum localities using multistage sampling. Data were collected through self‐administered questionnaires. Statistical analyses included the Chi‐square test for categorical variables, with a p‐value of <0.05 considered statistically significant. The prevalence of current tobacco use was 30.7%, with higher rates observed in slum areas (32.9%) compared to non‐slum areas (29.3%), although this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.09). Males had significantly higher tobacco use rates (39.5%) than females (21.5%) (p<0.001). The quit rate among participants was low (12.9%) and did not differ significantly between slum and non‐slum areas or between genders. Lower literacy levels and socioeconomic status were associated with higher tobacco use. Tobacco use remains prevalent among adult males in Vijayawada City, with notable differences between slum and non‐slum populations. Higher usage rates among males and those with lower socioeconomic status underscore the need for targeted tobacco control interventions. Effective strategies, including public health education, robust cessation programs, and stricter enforcement of tobacco control policies, are critical to addressing this ongoing public health challenge. Community‐based approaches involving both government and civil society are essential to curb the rising tobacco epidemic in urban settings.

How to cite this article:

Mokalla Venkateswara Rao, Kesagani Sujana Goud, C. Tej Kumar and D. Swarjith Kumar. Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors Influencing Tobacco use in Slum and Non‐Slum Populations of Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.36478/makrjms.2024.10.51.56
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.36478/makrjms.2024.10.51.56