Tobacco Use Among Reproductive Age Women in Ethiopia: Evidence from the National Health Survey

Abstract

Purpose

To assess the prevalence and determinants of current tobacco use among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted by utilizing secondary data taken from the Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey of 2016. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were used to analyze the data. The odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was considered to interpret associations and a significant association was stated at a p-value < 0.05.

Results

The overall magnitude of current tobacco use was 1.4% (n= 217). Majority of them 59.91% (n= 130) smoke cigarettes and followed by smoking gaya 43.32% (n= 94). Higher prevalence was found among participants from Gambella 44.24% (n= 96), Benishangul.59% (n= 36) and afar regions 13.36% (n= 29). Age group of 25–34 years [AOR = 2.78; 95% CI: 1.69, 4.57)], age group of ≥ 35 years [AOR = 4.24; 95% CI: 2.54, 7.07)], followers of protestant religion [AOR = 2.36; 95% CI: 4.17, 9.42], Islamic religion [AOR = 3.92; 95% CI: 2.16, 7.11], and traditional religion [AOR = 16.23; 95% CI: 8.33, 31.61], being in poorest wealth index [AOR = 15.78; 95% CI: 7.38, 33.70], poorer wealth index [AOR = 5.85; 95% CI: 2.64, 12.97], middle wealth index [AOR = 3.61; 95% CI: 1.57, 8.29], and richer wealth index [AOR = 2.48; 95% CI: 1.10, 5.85], who were never in union [AOR = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.67], ever drinking alcohol [AOR = 5.44; 95% CI: 3.71, 7.95] and ever chewing khat [AOR = 7.59; 95% CI: 4.99, 11.55] were factors associated with current tobacco use.

Conclusion

Women used tobacco in different forms, and its distribution varies across Ethiopian regional states. The concerned body needs to give attention to the identified associated factors and regions with higher tobacco use.

Keywords:

• tobacco use
• reproductive age women
• Ethiopia

Data Sharing Statement

This study utilized the National EDHS of 2016 [Dataset] which can be accessed on (http://idhsdata.org). The datasets used and/or analyzed in the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethical Consideration

DHS data were originally collected in conventionality with national and international ethical guiding principles. The original survey was given ethical clearance by the Ethiopian Public Health Institute Review Board, the National Research Ethics Review Committee (NRERC) at the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Institutional Review Board of ICF International, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The data for this research were downloaded from the publicly available dataset on the EDHS website (https://dhsprogram.com/) after registering with the DHS website and after we received a permission letter for access to this database from Measure DHS, ICF International, Rockville, Maryland, USA. Besides, ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Health Research Ethics Review Committee (IHRERC) of Haramaya University, College of Health and Medical Sciences to conduct this study. The acquired Data was kept anonymized and we used it only for statistical reporting and analysis. There were no names of individuals or household addresses in the data files.

Acknowledgment

The authors acknowledged Measure DHS for granting the data for this study.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.