Levels and trends of smokeless tobacco use among youth in countries of the World Health Organization South-East Asia Region.
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Date
2014-12
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: At least two rounds of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) have been completed in most of the countries in the World Health
Organization South‑East Asia region. Comparing findings from these two rounds provides trend data on smokeless tobacco (SLT) use for the
first time. METHODS: This study uses GYTS data from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and
Timor‑Leste during 2006–2013. GYTS is a nationally representative survey of 13–15‑year‑old students using a consistent and standard protocol.
Current SLT use is defined as using any kind of SLT products, such as chewing betel quid or nonbetel quid or snuffing any other products orally or
through the nasal route, during the 30 days preceding the survey. Prevalence and 95% confidence intervals were computed using SAS/SUDAAN
software. RESULTS: According to most recent GYTS data available in each country, the prevalence of current use of SLT among youth varied
from 5.7% in Thailand to 23.2% in Bhutan; among boys, from 7.1% in Bangladesh to 27.2% in Bhutan; and among girls, from 3.7% in Bangladesh
to 19.8% in Bhutan. Prevalence of SLT was reported significantly higher among boys than girls in Bhutan (boys 27.2%; girls 19.8%), India (boys
11.1%; girls 6.0%), Maldives (boys 9.2%; girls 2.9%), Myanmar (boys 15.2%; girls 4.0%), and Sri Lanka (boys 13.0%; girls 4.1%). Prevalence of
current SLT use increased in Bhutan from 9.4% in 2009 to 23.2% in 2013, and in Nepal from 6.1% in 2007 to 16.2% in 2011. CONCLUSION: The
findings call for countries to implement corrective measures through strengthened policy and enforcement.
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Keywords
Global Youth Tobacco Survey, smokeless tobacco use, trends, World Health Organization South‑East Asia region, youth
Citation
Sinha D N, Palipudi K M, Jones C K, Khadka B B, Silva P D, Mumthaz M, Shein N N N, Gyeltshen T, Nahar K, Asma S, Kyaing N N. Levels and trends of smokeless tobacco use among youth in countries of the World Health Organization South-East Asia Region. Indian Journal of Cancer. 2014 Dec; 51(5_Suppl): s50-s53.