TY - JOUR A2 - Pednekar, Mangesh S. AU - Kahar, Payal AU - Misra, Ranjita AU - Patel, Thakor G. PY - 2016 DA - 2016/03/30 TI - Sociodemographic Correlates of Tobacco Consumption in Rural Gujarat, India SP - 5856740 VL - 2016 AB - Background. The purpose of this study was to examine occupation-, education-, and gender-specific patterns of tobacco use and knowledge of its health effects among 23,953 rural Asian Indians ≥18 years in Gujarat. Methodology. A statewide, community-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted in 26 districts of Gujarat (December 2010–May 2015), using face-to-face interviews by trained community health workers called SEVAKS. Results. Mean age was 39.8 ± 15.2 years. Eighteen percent of respondents used tobacco in various forms. Tobacco consumption was significantly higher among males (32%), 18–34 years’ age group (35%), those who were self-employed (72%), and those with elementary education (40%). The prevalence was 11 times higher among males than females (95% CI = 9.78, 13.13). Adjusted ORs for tobacco use showed strong gradient by age and educational level; consumption was lower among the illiterates and higher for older participants (≥55 years). Tobacco consumption also varied by occupation; that is, those who were self-employed and employed for wages were more likely to use tobacco than those who were unemployed. Knowledge of health effects of tobacco lowered the odds of consumption by 30–40%. Conclusions. Effective educational programs should be tailored by gender, to improve knowledge of health risks and dispel myths on perceived benefits of tobacco. SN - 2314-6133 UR - https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/5856740 DO - 10.1155/2016/5856740 JF - BioMed Research International PB - Hindawi Publishing Corporation KW - ER -