title: Tobacco consumption and its association with education among women residing in a rural area of Maharashtra: A cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tobacco use is increasing among women and girls across the globe as well as in all parts of India. In India, 8 to 10 lakh people die due to tobacco related diseases every year. This tobacco epidemic among women needs to be prevented.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Study was conducted to find the prevalence and pattern of tobacco consumption and it's association with education among females (15-49 years) in a rural village of Pune, Maharashtra, India.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was carried out among 313 females (15-49 years) in a rural field practice area of a Medical College in Pune during Feb 11 to May 11. Pre-tested questionnaire was used for collecting data by interview after obtaining informed consent. Statistical analysis was performed (Epinfo software version 3.5.3.).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 313 female studied, 14.05% (44) and 0.96% (03) were found to be current and former tobacco user respectively while 84.98% (266) never used any form of tobacco in their lifetime. Mishri consumption (45%) was commonest form of smokeless tobacco use followed by quid use (36%). Majority of the tobacco users (54.55%) were illiterate. There was significant association between tobacco consumption and education level (p = 0.0295). Tobacco consumption was more with increasing age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tobacco consumption was found to be prevalent in 14.05% of women. Almost all of them used smokeless tobacco, mainly mishri. Tobacco consumption was directly associated with age and inversely with educational level. Therefore increasing women's literacy may bring down tobacco use among women.
authors.affiliation: Resident, Dept of Community Medicine, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune 411040, India.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Sinalkar
authors.affiliation: Col Health, HQ, ATNK & K Area, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kunwar
authors.affiliation: Resident, Dept of Community Medicine, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune 411040, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bagal
keywords: Maharashtra; Rural; Tobacco consumption; Women