Journal of Oral Health and Community Dentistry

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VOLUME 12 , ISSUE 3 ( September-December, 2018 ) > List of Articles

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Prevalence and Pattern of Tobacco Usage Among Children Aged 9 to 13 Years in Schools of Naswadi Village, Gujarat, India

Kruti R Jhaveri, Hirva P Jhala

Keywords : Gujarat, Questionnaire-based study, School-going children, Tobacco use

Citation Information : Jhaveri KR, Jhala HP. Prevalence and Pattern of Tobacco Usage Among Children Aged 9 to 13 Years in Schools of Naswadi Village, Gujarat, India. J Oral Health Comm Dent 2018; 12 (3):73-78.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10062-0030

License: NA

Published Online: 01-09-2018

Copyright Statement:  NA


Abstract

Introduction: Tobacco use among children is ever increasing especially in rural parts of the country. Knowledge about its prevalence and usage pattern among children may aid in adopting measures for awareness and prevention of its use among children. Aim: To evaluate the prevalence and pattern of tobacco usage among children aged 9 to 13 years in Schools of Naswadi village, Gujarat, India. Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted in two schools of Naswadi village among 252 children. The participants were asked to complete a questionnaire and the forms were collected on the same day. The questionnaire was comprised of sociodemographic characteristics such as age, gender, grade, etc. and tobacco consumption habit was assessed in detail such as the type of tobacco used, mode of consumption, duration of tobacco use, reasons for use, etc. All the data obtained was analyzed, and the Chi-square test was used (p <0.001). Results: The overall prevalence observed was 53.2%. Out of 252 participants, 134 were using tobacco products. The overall prevalence among boys was 62.7% and among girls was 43.7%. About 88.5% of the boys and 100% of the girls consumed the smokeless type of tobacco. Majority of the children, 43% boys and 53% of girls started the habit as early as 9 to 10 years of age. Majority of the children (73.9%) procured tobacco from a family member (p <0.001). Conclusion: A high prevalence of tobacco use among children was observed in the present study. The age of initiation of the habit was found to be as early as 9 to 10 years of age. Majority of the children obtained a tobacco product from a family member.


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