Exploring factors associated with the use of tobacco and smokeless tobacco in Timor-Leste

ABSTRACT

Objective

Tobacco epidemic is a serious global health issue, and it is responsible for various illnesses. The objective of this study is to examine sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with the use of tobacco and smokeless tobacco among the population in Timor-Leste.

Methods

Information on tobacco consumption, sociodemographic profiles, and lifestyle behavior was obtained from the Timor–Leste Demographic and Health Survey 2016. A bivariate probit regression method was developed to analyze data from 17229 respondents. The effects of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors on the likelihood of using tobacco and smokeless tobacco were estimated.

Results

Age, gender, educational level, wealth quintiles, employment status and alcohol drinking were significantly associated with the use of tobacco and smokeless tobacco. Older individuals, males, employed individuals and alcohol drinkers were more likely to be dual users than younger individuals, females, unemployed individuals and non-alcoholic drinkers. Having a high educational level and being in a wealthy quintile were protective against being a dual user.

Conclusions

Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors play an important role in determining the use of tobacco and smokeless tobacco in Timor-Leste. The findings of this study could help the authorities in formulating more effective tobacco control strategies.

KEYWORDS:

• Demographics
• lifestyle
• smokeless tobacco
• smoking
• tobacco

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the DHS Program for sharing the TLDHS 2016 dataset for this study.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no competing interests to declare.

Ethics approval

This study used survey data shared by the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program. Procedures and questionnaires for standard DHS surveys have been reviewed and approved by the ICF Institutional Review Board (IRB).