Survey of sociodemographic characteristics of tobacco use among 99,598 individuals in Bombay, India using handheld computers.

OBJECTIVES

To study the diversity and sociodemographic characteristics of tobacco use in Bombay, India.

DESIGN

Population-based, cross-sectional, house-to-house survey with face-to-face interviews in the city of Bombay during 1992-94. Data was input directly into a programmed, handheld computer (electronic diary).

PARTICIPANTS

Permanent residents of the city of Bombay aged 35 years and older.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Tobacco use in various smoking and smokeless forms.

RESULTS

99598 individuals were interviewed (60% women, 40% men). Among women, prevalence of tobacco use was high (57.5%) but almost solely in the smokeless form. Among men, 69.3% reported current tobacco use and 23.6% were smokers. The most common smokeless tobacco practice among women was mishri use (44.5% of smokeless users) and among men betel quid with tobacco (27.1%). About half of smokers used bidi and half smoked cigarettes. Chewing areca nut without tobacco was rare (< 0.5% of smokeless users). Educational level was inversely associated with tobacco use of all kinds except cigarette smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

The pattern of tobacco use varies across India and, in Bombay, is very different from other areas. Using handheld computers to collect data in the field was successful.