Publication Type : Journal
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Source : National Medical Journal of India
Url : http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/The%20Nation%20medic%20jou%20of%20in.pdf
Campus : Kochi
School : Center for Nanosciences, School of Nanosciences
Center : Nanosciences
Year : 2005
Abstract :
Background: We reviewed the literature on tobacco use in Kerala and present data from three recently conducted unpublished studies.
Methods: Three cross-sectional studies were conducted; a community-based study of 1298 individuals aged 15 years and above (mean age 37.4 years, men 630), a school-based study of 1323 boys (mean age 14.7 years), and a college-based study of 1254 male students (mean age 18.2 years). Information on tobacco use and sociodemographic variables was collected using pre-tested, structured interview schedules and questionnaires.
Results: In the community study, 72% of men and 6% of women haever used tobacco. Compared to men with > 12 years of schooling, those with <5 years of schooling were 7 times more likely to smoke (OR 7, Cl 3.2-15.6). The age at initiation of smoking was 19 years among those <25 years of age compared to 25.5 years among ever smokers > 44 years. In the school study, the age at initiation among boys aged ≤ 13 years was 10.7 years compared with 13.2 years among ≥16-year-old boys. Boys whose fathers and friends used tobacco were 2 times and 2.9 times more likely to use tobacco (OR 2.0, CI 1.3-3.1 and OR 2.9, Cl 1.6-5.1), respectively, compared with their counterparts. In the college study, 29% of the commerce students used tobacco compared with 5.3% of polytechnic students (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Survey data suggest that the age at initiation of tobacco use appears to be falling. A series of cross-sectional studies with larger sample sizes of the youth is required to confirm this impression. Tobacco use habits of fathers and peers are significant influences on youth smoking. There is a need to focus on particular types of colleges as these appear to have high-risk tobacco use environments.
Cite this Research Publication : Pradeepkumar AS, Sailesh Mohan, Gopalakrishnan P, Sarma PS, Thankappan KR, Nichter M. Tobacco Use in Kerala: Findings from three recent studies. The National Medical Journal of India 2005; 18 (3): 148-53 [impact factor 0.908]