Alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking pattern among brothel-based female sex workers in two local government areas in Lagos state, Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
Alcohol and tobacco use are known risk factors for non communicable diseases especially among women. Brothel based female sex workers may be at increased risk of exposure to these two substances.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the pattern of alcohol and tobacco use among female sex workers in two selected local government areas in Lagos state, Nigeria.


METHODS
A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among 323 brothel-based female sex workers in 39 consenting brothels. Data was collected by trained interviewers using a pretested structured questionnaire.


RESULTS
Majority (67.8%) were current drinkers with 89.5% of these having their most recent drink less than a week ago. Most of them (89%) consumed more than the reference limits for alcohol use among women. Up to 20.7% were current smokers with (92.5%) having their most recent cigarette less than a week ago. More than a third (37.4%) were heavy smokers while 19% were dual users. Current drinking was associated with current smoking. Smokers consumed significantly more units of alcohol than non-smokers.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of harmful alcohol use and cigarette smoking are very high among this group of female sex workers. Programs that address the use of these substances should be made available for these women.
Department of Community Health and Primary Care, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria.
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Odukoya
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Sekoni
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Onajole
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Upadhyay
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009111:Local Government; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D036301:Qualitative Research; D060386:Sex Workers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult