270883 Patterns of tobacco use and tuberculosis prevalence among adults from states with the highest HIV prevalence in India

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 9:20 AM - 9:35 AM

Irene Tami, DMD, DrPH, MSc , Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Ellen R. Gritz, PhD , Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that tobacco use is an important contributor to fatal and non-fatal tuberculosis (TB). Smoking, which increases the incidence of clinical TB, is a cause of half the male TB deaths in India. TB is a raging infectious disease made more serious and widespread by the epidemic of HIV/AIDS. Our study therefore aimed to assess tobacco use prevalence among adults with self-reported TB from states with the highest HIV prevalence in India. Methods: Secondary data analysis from a population-based cross-sectional survey of men and women from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Manipur (states with the highest HIV prevalence in India). The 4-states subsample is part of the data from the India's third National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3, 2005-2006). Results: The total sample population for the 4 states was 63,771, of whom 18,170 (28.5%) were tobacco users. Among those suffering from TB, 51.2% were current tobacco users (p<0.001). The prevalence of tobacco use was much higher in men compared to women who self-reported TB (67.1% vs. 28.4%), p<0.001. Among individuals self-reporting TB, 25.4% smoked tobacco and 60.9% used smokeless tobacco (overlapping use). Conclusions: If this population continues to use tobacco, the prevalence of TB is likely to continue to rise in a dramatic and devastating manner, especially if HIV risk is also considered. Understanding the characteristics of tobacco use among TB patients and the associated socio-cultural context in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Manipur is critical for developing effective tobacco prevention and control programs.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Epidemiology
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
- Identify socio-demographic characteristics and tobacco use patterns among individuals with self-reported tuberculosis in 4 states of India with the highest HIV prevalence. - Discuss the need of integrated strategies for preventing and controlling tobacco use among individuals with tuberculosis and at risk of HIV infection in India.

Keywords: Tobacco, TB

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: For more than ten years I have been involved in educational, research, and service activities related to oral health/care, HIV infection, tuberculosis, and more recently tobacco control and prevention.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.