Socioeconomic status and smokeless tobacco consumption in fishermen community of a coastal area of Karachi

ABSTRACT

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of Gutka consumption and its relationship with socioeconomic status among fisherman community of Costal area of Karachi. Methods: Socioeconomic status and information about Gutka habit was collected from 408 fisherman of Ibrahim Hyderi, a coastal area of Karachi from 15th July 2014 to 21st July 2014.The Kuppuswamy scale was used to measure socioeconomic status [SES]. A subject was considered to be belonging to higher socioeconomic status if the family head's education and the number of earning members were higher and the number of children and dependents was less since childhood in his or her household. Single investigator carried out structured face-to-face interview. Convenient sampling technique was used. Results: Out of 408 subjects, 326 regularly consumed Gutka, the common reasons for the habit were the co-workers' influence and to keep awake at work. The prevalence of the Gutka chewing habit was much lesser [25%] among the people belonging to higher social class when compared to the minimal or no improvement group [75%]. A majority of those free from the habit [73.7%] were belonging to the group, which showed improved educational attainment. Among those with good social status, the percentage of workers with high frequency of Gutka chewing and those with a longer duration of the Gutka chewing habit was low when compared to the lower social class group. Conclusion: This study based on data collected by questioner and analyzed on SPSS version 17.It is recommended that intervention in the form of primary and secondary smokeless tobacco use, prevention with association and careful planning including restricted resources available to be implemented efficiently