Smoking and alcohol intake in a rural Indian population and correlation with hypertension and coronary heart disease prevalence.

3148 persons (1982 males and 1166 females) aged more than 20 years in a cluster of three villages were examined. The overall prevalence of smoking was 51% in males (n = 1006) and 5% in females (n = 54). Among male smokers there were 26% light smokers (< or = 5 bidis/day), 51% moderate smokers (6-20/day) and 17% heavy smokers (> 20 day) and in females there were 54% light smokers, 41% moderate smokers and 5% heavy smokers. Smokers were less educated and had higher prevalence of work-related physical activity and alcohol intake. There was a higher prevalence of hypertension and of ECG Q-waves in male smokers. Regular alcohol intake was seen in 19% males (n = 377) and in 2% females (n = 26). Among males there were 43% light drinkers (< or = 28 gm ethanol/day), 32% moderate drinkers (28-56 gm ethanol/day) and 5% heavy drinkers (> 56 gm ethanol/day). Although this group had a higher prevalence of hypertension there was an insignificant difference in CHD prevalence and a significantly lower prevalence of ECG Q-waves. Subgroup analysis has also been performed taking non-smoker-non-alcohol consuming group as controls. It was found that group which comprised of smokers-non-alcohol consumers had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension and of ECG Q-waves. Alcohol intake-smoker group had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension. The habits of smoking and alcohol consumption are widely prevalent among males in this rural community. Smoking and alcohol-intake, both individually and collectively, are related to higher prevalence of hypertension as well as CHD. While the prevalence of hypertension is more among the alcohol consumers, smokers have a higher prevalence of CHD.