Title: A Cross-Sectional Study on Practice of Smoking among Rickshaw-Pullers in Malda Town, West Bengal
Authors: Dr Louis Tirkey, Dr Rupanjli Lakra, Dr Sujishnu Mukherjee
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i8.170
Abstract
Introduction: Tobacco use is a major preventable cause of premature death and diseases. It is an additional financial burden and yet many sections of the society are getting attracted to this habit, especially the lower income group in whom the consequences are even worse. So through this study we want to assess the prevalence of tobacco consumption and the associated factors involve in its consumption.
Objectives: To assess the prevalence on practice of smoking among the rickshaw pullers in Malda town and to study socio-economic and demographic factors related to it.
Material & Methods: A cross sectional, descriptive study was done among rickshaw-pullers of Malda town, West Bengal, from May 2016 July 2016 with a sample size of 160. Fagerstrom Test for nicotine Dependence scale was used to assess addiction level of rickshaw-pullers. The collected data was analysed using SPSS software.
Results: Study finding shows that Prevalence of smoking among rickshaw-pullers was very high (80.6%). Rickshaw-pullers were mostly used tobacco (smoke) in the form of Bidi or Cigarette, followed by Khaini (50.6%) and Guthka (25.6%). Evaluation of the nicotine dependency rate showed that 35.7% of the smokers had moderate dependency.
Conclusion: Prevalence of smoking among rickshaw-pullers was very high. Rickshaw-pullers were mostly used tobacco in the form of Bidi or Cigarette (smoke), Khaini and Gutkha (smokeless) in comparison to other products.
Keywords: Rickshaw-pullers, Tobacco, Smoking, Addiction, Fagerstrom.
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