Survey of sociodemographic characteristics of tobacco use among 99,598 individuals in Bombay, India using handheld computers.
OBJECTIVE
To study the diversity and sociodemographic characteristics of tobacco use in Bombay, India.


METHODS
Population-based, cross-sectional, house-to-house survey with face-to-face interviews in the city of Bombay during 1992-94. Data was input directly into a programmed, handheld computer (electronic diary).


METHODS
Permanent residents of the city of Bombay aged 35 years and older.


METHODS
Tobacco use in various smoking and smokeless forms.


RESULTS
99598 individuals were interviewed (60% women, 40% men). Among women, prevalence of tobacco use was high (57.5%) but almost solely in the smokeless form. Among men, 69.3% reported current tobacco use and 23.6% were smokers. The most common smokeless tobacco practice among women was mishri use (44.5% of smokeless users) and among men betel quid with tobacco (27.1%). About half of smokers used bidi and half smoked cigarettes. Chewing areca nut without tobacco was rare (< 0.5% of smokeless users). Educational level was inversely associated with tobacco use of all kinds except cigarette smoking.


CONCLUSIONS
The pattern of tobacco use varies across India and, in Bombay, is very different from other areas. Using handheld computers to collect data in the field was successful.
Basic Dental Research Unit, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bombay, India.
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PC
Gupta
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003201:Computers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless