Smoking and smokeless tobacco use among urban women and men In Nepal

Background Tobacco consumption causes diseases and can lead to death. Every year 16,000 deaths are attributable to tobacco smoking and smokeless tobacco in Nepal. The study aims to determine the prevalence and socio-demographic determinants of tobacco smoking and smokeless tobacco among urban women and men in Nepal. Methods The study is further analysis of the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2011 using urban subsets of women's and men's individual datasets. The study is based on 1,819 women and 717 men (weighed number) aged 15-49 years residing in urban areas. The smoking tobacco included cigarettes, pipe and bidi and smokeless tobacco included chewing tobacco, snuff and other forms of tobacco. Results Prevalence of smoking and smokeless tobacco was 25.2% and 30% among urban men and 4.8% and 2.5% among urban women respectively. Smoking and smokeless tobacco is highest among older age 45-49 (men 34.8%, 44.4%; women 16.3%, 7%), illiterate (men 52.4%, 62.8%; women 15.8%, 7.2%), poorest (men 57.1%, 56.2%; women 15.6%, 11.1%), Dalit (men 38.6%, 42%; women 8%, 5.8%), Terai region´s men (26.5%, 36.3%), Mountain region´s women (9.1%, 4.3%) and residing in Mid Western region (men 30%, 42%; women 6.7%, 4.5%) respectively. Smoking and Smokeless tobacco is increasing with increasing age and demonstrated a negative association with education and wealth quintile. Conclusions In conclusion, urban men consume more smoking and smokeless tobacco than urban women. Urban men consume more smokeless tobacco whereas urban women consume more smoking tobacco. There is high rate of smoking and smokeless tobacco among older, illiterate, poorest, Dalit, and urban women and men from Terai and Mid-western region and are significantly associated. There is urgent need of anti-tobacco campaigns to older, illiterate, poor and people residing in Terai and Mid Western region of the country