A comparative study of tobacco consumption, its dependency & effects on blood pressure among tribal and non tribal adults of a rural block in a tribal district of central India

Tobacco Consumption is widely prevalent habit among Tribals & Non Tribals. Awareness about its hazardous effects is important to reduce the number of tobacco users and its dependency in them. Objectives are To find out the Magnitude of Tobacco Consumption among Tribal & Non Tribal, Its dependency status & Effects on Blood Pressure. A cross sectional study using Multi stage Random Sampling Method with house to house visits. Sample size came out 300 each from the Tribal &Non Tribal adults. Study was conducted in Narayanganj block of Mandla District. Tobacco consumption among Tribal 182 (60.7%) &Non Tribal 141 (47%) the difference was found to be Significant {χ2 = 11.27; p < 0.001}. Tobacco smoking in any form among tribals was 19 subjects (6.3 %) and among non tribals 32 subjects (10.3%). It was not found to be significant {χ2 = 3.62, p= 0.057}. The trend of Karl Fagersrom Score was shifted more towards tribals {χ2trend = 31.47, P < 0.001}. The association of hypertension and tobacco consumption was strong. Our study shows that the habit of Tobacco Consumption, its dependency & its association with Hypertension was more among Tribals.