Tobacco consumption behavior among construction site workers of Jaipur city

Abstract

Background: Tobacco use is a global epidemic. The prevalence of tobacco use among the stone crusher workers is very high because of their working pattern and lack of knowledge regarding the harmful effects of tobacco consumption. Material and Method: A cross sectional study was carried out to assess behavior regarding tobacco consumption among construction site workers of Jaipur city. A total of 800 workers were included into the study. They were assessed using pre designed and pre tested questionnaire and the data collected was analyzed using SPSS (19) statistical software. Result: Among the total study subjects, it was observed that 88(9.9%) sample had idea that tobacco causes heart attack while 801(72%) had no idea regarding it. It was also found that 28(3.1%) believed that tobacco use causes asthma while 861(96.9%) of the population did not have any idea. Knowledge among the study population regarding tobacco causing lung cancer was found to be 443(50%). The fact tobacco causes oral cancer was known to be all the subjects. Almost the subjects didn’t believe that passive smoking cases harm. Conclusions: Specific counseling and intervention programs are needed to reduce the burden of tobacco use related morbidity among these workers. Tobacco control should be a top priority not merely as a health issue, but also as a poverty reduction mechanism.