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Spatial pattern of risky health behavior in India: evidence from recent National Family Health Survey 2015 - 16
Authors: Abhishek Kumar
Source: Tobacco Induced Diseases, 16(1); DOI: 10.18332/tid/84199
Topic(s): Tobacco use
Country: Asia
  India
Published: JUL 2018
Abstract: Background Association between risky health behavior (consumption of tobacco/alcohol) and lung diseases is well stablished. India is one the countries with increasing burden of lung diseases. Using the most recent evidence available in the country, this paper examines the spatial pattern of risky health behavior among men and women. Methods We used most recent round of the National Family Health Survey data conducted in India during 2015-16. The survey is in tune with internationally recognized Demographic Health Survey (DHS) and provide information from all 36 states and union territories of India. We analyzed two key outcomes - consumption of tobacco and alcohol separately among men and women. First, we examined spatial clustering in the risky behavior in the country. Further, we examined the association between the risky behavior and background characteristics such as education, household condition of men and women. We used bi-variate and descriptive statistics in the analysis. Results Prevalence of tobacco consumption was 7 percent among women and 45 percent among men in the country. However, there is stark variation across the states - among women the prevalence varied from 2% in Haryana to 59% in Mizoram. Moreover, there is spatial clustering is tobacco consumption in tribal states (north-eastern states) of the country. Among men the prevalence varied from 27% in Andhra Pradesh to 80% in Mizoram. Consumption of alcohol was 2% among women and 28% among men in the country, with huge spatial variation. These risky healthy behaviors are significantly and positively correlated with poor education and household living conditions. Conclusions The evidence generated through this paper is important from policy makers to identify the pockets of risky healthy behavior in India. This identification would be helpful to combat with the lung diseases in the country and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of achieving health live for all.