1. PREVALENCE OF TOBACCO USE AMONG WOMEN: A CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY FROM A SQUATTER SETTLEMENT OF KARACHI, PAKISTAN NOUSHEEN IQBAL AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY, KARACHI, PAKISTAN

2. CO-AUTHORS  Mohammad Irfan  Safia Awan  Javaid Ahmed Khan

3. CONFLICT OF INTEREST  None to declare

4. ACKNOWLEDGMENT  All Pakistan Women Association (APWA)  National Alliance Of Tobacco Control (NATC)  Aga Khan University (AKU )

5. BACKGROUND  Despite the increased awareness of hazardous effects of tobacco, its use has been increased in women especially in developing countries like Pakistan.  This has led to a dramatic rise in tobacco related lung diseases in women.

6. Asia Pacific region is the fastest growing tobacco market in the world, with 4 out the 10 rapidly growing being: Malaysia; Indonesia; Pakistan & Vietnam

7. BACKGROUND  According to National Health survey, the prevalence of current tobacco smoking in Pakistan is 19.1% (32.4% in males vs. 5.7% in females)  In a study done in young adolescent female show prevalence of smoking has increased to 16.3%.  The mean age for trying to smoke cigarettes is 15 years for girls. Gnatra HA. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2007 Dec;11(12):1366-71

8.  There is also a rapid increase in both use of smokeless tobacco as well as its inhaled forms.  There is a lack of current prevalence of tobacco use especially among squatter settlements where the prevalence is relatively higher than other parts of city.

9. OBJECTIVE  To determine the prevalence of tobacco use (both smoking and smokeless tobacco) among women in an urban squatter settlement (Orangi Town) in Karachi, Pakistan

10. METHODS  A cross-sectional survey was conducted from 1 st July 2012 to 31 st December 2012,on near 19,325 females of aged 15 - 80 years in Orangi Town, an urban squatter settlement in Karachi, Pakistan.  The approximate population of Orangi Town is near 2 million.

11. METHODS  A modified questionnaire,developed by WHO, was used in Urdu.  The questionnaire included questions about demographic characteristics, education, occupation, current smoking status, use of smokeless tobacco, try to quit smoking in last 12 months and usefulness of warning sign on cigarette packs.

12. METHODS  Each questionnaire took approximately 5 min to complete.  The interviewer interviewed the participants after taking a verbal consent.  Analysis was done using SPSS version 15.

13. RESULTS  A total of 19,325 women were approached and 16,987 agreed to participate in the study.  The age range from 15 to 80 years. Mean age was 37.3+-9.8 years.

14. AGE

15. MARITAL STATUS

16. NUMBER OF PEOPLE USING TOBACCO AT HOME

17. PREVALENCE OF TOBACCO USE AMONG WOMEN

18. DIFFERENT FORM OF SMOKING USE

19. USE OF DIFFERENT FORM OF SMOKELESS TOBACCO

20. PASSIVE SMOKING AT HOME  Passive smoking was found in 12.09%.

21. TRY TO QUITE SMOKING IN LAST 12 MONTHS

22.  Among smokers 85.19 % have tried to quite smoking in last 12 months but failed.  73.29 % mentioned that they have received their doctor advice for quitting.

23.  All smokers think of quitting after seeing warning on cigarrete pack.

25. SUMMARY  Tobacco use among women in an urban squatter settlement is very high and alarming.  Good thing is majority of women are willing to quite this habits.  Preventive and control measures against tobacco use are required in these communities.  Doctors an d media should play their roles and spread information regarding harmful effects of using tobacco.

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