Prevalence and predictors of current tobacco exposure among older adults with chronic disease in India: evidence from large-scale sample survey

ABSTRACT

Background

The risk of developing serious health problems and dying early increases with continued smoking, especially among older adults with chronic diseases. The present study examined current tobacco use prevalence and determinants among older people with at least one chronic condition.

Methods

The present study included only 30,094 older adults (45 years and above) who were smoking tobacco and have at least one chronic disease using a multi-level cross-sectional analysis of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), which was conducted during 2017–18. The Pearson Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used to accomplish the study objective.

Results

The present study shows the current tobacco usage among older adults with at least one chronic disease is significantly higher in the Northeast region (47.6%) in India. The probability of tobacco exposure is considerably higher among who are male, illiterate, Muslim and poor backgrounds. Geographically, the odds of tobacco usage were higher in the Northeast (aOR = 2.872; 95% CI: 2.62, 3.14), East (aOR = 1.89; 95% CI: 1.76, 2.03) and Central regions (aOR = 1.46; 95%; CI: 1.35, 1.57).

Conclusion

To address the tobacco epidemic, it is important to implement effective measures through boosting health awareness campaigns and elevating grassroots efforts.

KEYWORDS:

• Tobacco consumption
• older adults
• chronic disease
• India

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Availability of data and material

The study uses secondary data which is available on reasonable request through https://www.iipsindia.ac.in/content/lasi-wave-i

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The survey agencies that conducted the field survey for the data collection have collected prior consent (written and verbal) from the respondent. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) extended the necessary guidance and ethical approval for conducting the LASI survey.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.