A study on prevalence, dependence and factors associated with tobacco consumption among the indigenous tribal population in Wayanad, Kerala.

Tobacco use is a major public health issue, forms a significant predictor for a variety of chronic diseases, including cancer, lung disease, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. It is one of the leading causes of death and disease in India. Nearly 267 million adults in India of age 15 years and above are users of tobacco according to the report of Global Adult Tobacco Survey of 2016-17. Persons of tribal origin accounts for a quarter of India’s vulnerable population among whom tobacco consumption is higher and experiences a greater burden of diseases attributable to the adverse effects of tobacco use. Several studies are revealing a higher prevalence and dependence on both forms of tobacco among the tribals of Wayanad and their ignorance about the harmful effects of tobacco use, demanding greater attention for improving health awareness and welfare of the tribal community. The current study aims to assess the prevalence, dependence and factors associated with tobacco consumption among the indigenous tribal population of Wayanad. This cross-sectional quantitative study with a sample size of 403 will be conducted among the Paniya tribes of Sultha Bathery Taluk of  Wayanad as this particular taluk has the highest scheduled tribe population of the total population of the district. The sampling technique used will be convenience sampling. Written informed consent will be obtained from each study participant prior to the interview. Data will be collected by conducting face-to-face interviews using an interviewer-administered peer and content validated close-ended questionnaire which also includes the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence Scale (for both smoking and smokeless tobacco). Interviews are conducted with the assistance of a local tribal NGO called PEEP Wayanad (People’s Action for Educational and Economic Development of Tribal People) for easy communication in the Paniya dialect which is a mixture of Malayalam, Tamil and Tulu. The findings of the current study can be used as an evidence generation at the local level and the baseline data can serve as an advantage for the public health department to address the existing gaps in coverage of anti-tobacco awareness programs, plan and implement education, control and cessation programs, strengthen IEC and behaviour change communication activities related to tobacco use targeting the tribal population of Wayanad.