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Smoking trends among women in India: Analysis of nationally representative surveys (1993-2009)
Authors: Sonu Goel, Jaya Prasad Tripathy, Rana J Singh, and Pranay Lal
Source: South Asian Journal of Cancer, 3(4):200-202; DOI: 10.4103/2278-330X.142958
Topic(s): Tobacco use
Women's health
Country: Asia
  India
Published: OCT 2014
Abstract: Background: There is growing concern among policy makers with respect to alarming growth in smoking prevalence among women in the developing countries. Methods: Using disaggregated data from five nationally representative surveys: Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2010, National Family Health Survey-III (NFHS-III) 2004-2005, NFHS-II 1998-1999, National Sample Survey (NSS) 52 nd Round 1995-1996, NSS 50 th Round 1993-1994 we analysed female smoking trend from 1993-2009. Tobacco use among females was monitored for almost two decades focusing on gender, literacy, and state-specific trends among respondents aged >15 years. Results: Smoking use among women has doubled from 1.4% to 2.9% (P < 0.001) during the period 2005-2010. The prevalence of smoking increased with decrease in per capita State Gross Domestic Product and literacy status for both men and women. Conclusion: As the overall smoking prevalence grows, female smoking is growing at a faster rate than smoking among males, which is an emerging concern for tobacco control in India and requires the attention of policymakers.
Web: http://journal.sajc.org/article.asp?issn=2278-330X;year=2014;volume=3;issue=4;spage=200;epage=202;aulast=Goel