Comparative assessment of tobacco use patterns and determinants among urban slum and non-slum dwellers in Vijayawada city: A community-based  cross-sectional study.

Mokalla.Venkateswara  Rao; Dr. Kesagani Sujana  Goud; Embadi  Soujanya

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i9.2017

Authors

Dr. Mokalla Venkateswara Rao Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Khammam,Telangana, India
Dr. Kesagani Sujana Goud Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Khammam,Telangana, India
Dr. Embadi Soujanya Assistant Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Government Medical College, Khammam,Telangana, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i9.2017

Keywords:

Tobacco Use, Slum Population, Non-Slum, Socio-Demographic Factors, Smoking Patterns, Urban Health

Abstract

Background: Tobacco use remains a major public health challenge, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality, especially among urban slum populations where socio-economic disparities prevail. Understanding the determinants and patterns of tobacco consumption in diverse urban settings is critical for effective tobacco control strategies.

Objectives: To assess and compare the determinants and patterns of tobacco use among adult male slum and non-slum dwellers of Vijayawada city.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 2008 participants (1215 non-slum and 793 slum residents) in Vijayawada. A multistage random sampling technique was used. Data on socio-demographic profile, tobacco use habits, and influencing factors were collected through a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.0, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: The prevalence of ever tobacco users was 35.3%, with current tobacco use at 30.7%. Tobacco use was significantly higher among males (39.5%) than among females (21.5%) (p < 0.001). Slum residents exhibited a higher prevalence of current use (32.9%) compared to non-slum residents (29.3%). Smoking-only habits were predominant (58.5%), but dual use (15.7%) and smokeless tobacco use (26.0%) were notable among females. Illiteracy (50.2%), low socio-economic status (Class V, 44.5%), and occupation as labourers (58.8%) were strongly associated with higher tobacco use. Initiation of tobacco use before 20 years was common (59.2%). Social influence from family (63.2%) and peers (74.5%) was significant, though 85.9% of users were aware of health hazards.

Conclusion: Tobacco use patterns are deeply entrenched in socio-economic, educational, and cultural contexts, with slum dwellers and disadvantaged groups exhibiting higher prevalence. Early initiation and strong social influences underscore the need for targeted interventions.

Recommendations: Strengthen community-level education, enforce policy measures, and integrate tobacco cessation programs with socio-economic upliftment schemes for slum populations to reduce the tobacco burden.

Author Biographies

Dr. Mokalla Venkateswara Rao , Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Khammam,Telangana, India

is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Medicine at Government Medical College, Khammam, Telangana, India. He completed his MBBS from Government Medical College, Anantapur (2003–2008), followed by an MD in Community Medicine from Siddhartha Medical College, Vijayawada (2016–2019).

Dr. Rao has an extensive public health service background, beginning his career as a Medical Officer at PHC Gouridevipeta, Andhra Pradesh (2009–2011), and later at MCH & Epidemic Team, Kunavaram (2011–2012). He further served as Medical Officer at NRC, Area Hospital, Bhadrachalam (2012–2014), and PHC Karakagudem, Bhadrachalam (2014–2016). His notable contributions during this period include primary healthcare delivery in tribal and underserved regions.

From 2019 to 2021, Dr. Rao took on critical administrative roles as Deputy District Medical and Health Officer, District Malaria Officer, and Nodal Officer for COVID-19 at DM&HO, Kothagudem, Telangana. His leadership was instrumental in coordinating epidemic response strategies and malaria control programs at the district level during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, he transitioned into academia, joining the Government Medical College, Bhadradri Kothagudem, as an Assistant Professor in Community Medicine (2021–2024). Currently, he continues his academic and public health endeavors at Government Medical College, Khammam (2024–present), contributing to undergraduate teaching, public health research, and community outreach programs.

Dr. Rao's career reflects a unique blend of grassroots healthcare service, public health administration, and academic excellence, with a dedicated focus on tribal health, infectious disease control, and medical education. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4006-9729

Dr. Kesagani Sujana Goud, Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Khammam,Telangana, India

is currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Medicine at Government Medical College, Khammam, Telangana, India. She completed her MBBS from Sri Venkata Sai Medical College, Mahabubnagar, and subsequently obtained her MD in Community Medicine from Mamata Medical College, Khammam.

With over two years of teaching experience, Dr. Sujana Goud has been actively involved in academic mentoring, successfully guiding undergraduate students in securing and executing Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-funded Short-Term Studentship (STS) projects. Her academic interests encompass epidemiology, public health policy, and health promotion strategies, with a focus on translating research into community-level interventions.

She remains dedicated to fostering research aptitude among medical students while contributing to community outreach programs and public health education initiatives.

Dr. Embadi Soujanya, Assistant Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Government Medical College, Khammam,Telangana, India

is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) at Government Medical College, Khammam, Telangana, India. She completed her MBBS from MNR Medical College, Sangareddy, and subsequently earned her Master of Surgery (MS) degree in ENT from Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal.

With over three years of teaching experience, Dr. Soujanya has been actively involved in mentoring undergraduate medical students, particularly in clinical research projects and hands-on clinical training. Her academic interests lie in head and neck surgery, otology, and rhinology, with a keen focus on evidence-based clinical practice.

She has authored a research publication in a reputed peer-reviewed journal, contributing to the academic discourse in the field of Otorhinolaryngology. Dr. Soujanya continues to engage in research activities while balancing her clinical and teaching responsibilities. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6293-4250

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