Distribution of Socioeconomic Factors in Use of Tobacco among Population in Lalmonirhat in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Tobacco consumption has been identified as the single biggest cause of inequality in morbidity and mortality. Understanding pattern of socioeconomic equalities in tobacco consumption in Lalmonirhat will help in designing targeted public health control measures.

Objectives: The aimed and objectives was to estimate the association between socioeconomic status (income, occupation and education) and multiple measures of smoking behaviors among population of Lalmonirhat.

Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted in National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2010 to June 2010 from Patgram upazila under Lalmonirhat District in Bangladesh. Respondent were selected and a pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data.

Results: A total of 272 respondents of 1572 households were studied in Patgram Upozila in Lalmonirhat district to find out age, sex, marital status, education, occupation, income in this group and living status, to identify health problems associated with tobacco use and to find out the cost involvement among tobacco users. Majority 164 (60.3%) of the respondents were in between 20-40years of age and male respondents 186(68.4%) were more than female and most 210(77.2%) of the respondent were married. Out of 272 respondents 78(28.7%) were illiterate and their occupation were business 78(28.7%).Most of the 140(51.5%) were monthly income of less than 5000 taka and live in khacha house.

Conclusions: Poverty and poor education are strong risk factors for both forms of tobacco consumption in Lalmonirhat. Public health policies, therefore, need to be targeted towards the poor and uneducated.

Journal of Science Foundation, July 2020;18(2):31-36