Prevalence of tobacco habits among Narikuravas in Puducherry

Dr. Sitapathi Revathi; Dr. Venkatapathy Ramesh; Dr. Koliyan Ramadoss

Volume : IX, Issue : V, May - 2020

Prevalence of tobacco habits among Narikuravas in Puducherry

Dr. Sitapathi Revathi, Dr. Venkatapathy Ramesh, Dr. Koliyan Ramadoss

Abstract :

Background Tobacco habits are highly contagious. Nomadic Narikurava people are basically tribes. The prevalence of tobacco habits among these people was not available in the literature. So an attempt was made to study the prevalence of this habit. Aim: To study the prevalence of tobacco habits among Narikuravas of Puducherry. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted and detailed history of tobacco habits including type, frequency, duration and site of placement of quid ware taken. Results: Totally 133 subjects were interviewed. 13.5% of subjects had smoking habit and 52.9% subjects had smokeless tobacco habit. Conclusion: Low socio-economic status, high level of illiteracy, unsecured live hood forced them to use smokeless tobacco in the form of quid to fight against hunger.