Prevalence and Determinants of Tobacco Consumption and Health: A Study among Oraon Indigenous Group of West Bengal, India

Article Type

Research Article

Publication Title

International Journal of Anthropology

Abstract

Prevalence of tobacco consumption and related morbidity and mortality remain higher in India inspite of several controlling measures enforced in last few decades. Here, indigenous groups are more vulnerable with marginalization, backwardness and inadequate data. Therefore, the study aims to explore the prevalence of tobacco (smoke and smokeless) consumption and its determinants; and the difference in selected health traits between tobacco users and non-users groups. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 475 adult Oraons living in rural and urban areas of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India. Demographic, socio-economic, behavioural and tobacco consumption related data were collected using well-tested questionnaire/schedule. Data on health traits in terms of anthropometric traits, blood pressure and pulse rate were collected using standard technique and instruments. Descriptive statistics, t-statistics, chi2 test and logistic regression were used to analyse the data. Result shows around 44 per cent individuals consume tobacco and majority consumes it in smokeless form. The association study indicates demographic and socio-economic traits determine tobacco consumption. Selected health traits differ significantly between groups. It implies, majority were aware regarding harmful effect of tobacco but certain customs combined with peer influence, some occupational compulsion and addiction indulge them in tobacco consumption. Here, it seems targeted intervention combining with high tax for tobacco product, awareness generation regarding harmful effect of tobacco in culturally accepted mode with local language and involvement of community members as motivator and some rewards for best worker will be more effective to reduce the burden among the indigenous people.

First Page

179

Last Page

202

DOI

https://10.14673/IJA2023341109

Publication Date

1-1-2023

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