Predictors of smokeless tobacco use in the adult population of Karachi, Pakistan
| Author(s)
Dr Javaid Ahmad Khan, Karim Abdur Rehman and Humna Abid
| | Presenter(s) |
Dr Javaid Ahmad Khan Chair, National Alliance for Tobacco Control, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan | Abstract Background: Smokeless tobacco (SLT) accounts for approximately a third of all tobacco use in South Asian countries and is associated with high mortality and morbidity. However, current literature does not focus on this subset of the population. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of smokeless tobacco and to identify socio-demographic factors that may be associated with its use.
Methods: A multi-institutional cross-sectional study was conducted in Karachi. Through convenience sampling, 461 adult participants were interviewed with a structured questionnaire. SLT practice was identified as ‘daily’, ‘occasional’, and ‘former’ users. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine associations of smokeless tobacco use while adjusting for the following covariates: age, gender, income, level of education, marital status, occupation and current cigarette use.
Results: Out of 461 participants, 149(32.3%) used smokeless tobacco. Of these, 105(70%) used it daily, 34(22.7%) occasionally and 10(6.7%) formally. Paan(40.3%) was the most widely used form of SLT followed by Ghutka(23.5%) and Chalia(21.1%). Male gender (OR: 1.80,CI: 1.16-2.80) and current cigarette smoking (OR: 1.85,CI: 1.03-3.33) were independently associated with SLT use. Education at undergraduate and postgraduate level was associated with decreased odds of SLT use (OR: 0.48,CI: 0.26-0.90).
Conclusion: Approximately one in three people use smokeless tobacco. Male gender and cigarette use significantly predict its use. Cigarette smoking is a modifiable risk factor and future work should focus on prevention strategies for all types of tobacco use.
| Source of funding: None
| Declaration of interest: None
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