Search

Background: Tobacco use causes over eight million global deaths annually, with seven million directly attributed to tobacco use and 1.2 million to second hand smoke (SHS). Smoke-free environments are crucial to counter SHS. Although India banned smoking in public places in 2008, SHS exposure remains high. Studies have noted that limiting smoking in workplaces, restaurants, etc., helps to reduce overall smoking and reduce SHS exposure. Under this background, the study explores the linkages between smoke-free workplaces and living in smoke-free homes in India. Methods: The two rounds of the GATS India (2009-10 and 2016-17) have been used for the study. The study focuses on male tobacco smokers working indoors or outdoors or both indoors and outdoors. The sample for the study was 2,969 for GATS 1 and 2,801 for GATS 2. Dependent variables include living in a smoke-free home, while the independent variables were adherence to a smoke-free office policy and socio-demographic variables. The two rounds of the GATS data were pooled for analysis. Statistical analysis involves bivariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Findings reveal that 41% of respondents worked in smoke-free workplaces in GATS 2. Nationally, smoke-free homes increased from 35% in 2009–2010 to 44% in 2016-17. Individuals with smoke-free workplaces were more likely to have smoke-free homes. The Southern region consistently exhibited the highest proportion of smoke-free homes. Urban areas and higher education correlated with increased smoke-free homes. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that workplace smoke-free status is a significant predictor of smoke-free homes. In GATS 2, respondents aged 30 years and above were less likely to have smoke-free homes, while education and Southern region residence positively influenced smoke-free homes. Conclusions: The correlation between smoke-free workplaces and smoke-free homes is linked to stringent workplace no-smoking policies, potentially deterring individuals from smoking at home. Opportunities exist for the expansion and stringent implementation of the smoke-free policies among Indian working adults, leveraging the workplace as a key setting for evidence-based tobacco control. The study highlights positive trends in India's smoke-free homes, crediting workplace policies. Effective policies, education, and regional strategies can advance smoke-free homes, stressing the pivotal role of workplace policies and advocating broader implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Health-related behaviors during adolescence lay the foundation of health status during later life. Most of the studies on health behaviors among adolescents in India have a focus on adolescent girls. India has 133 million adolescent boys; it is important to understand patterns and determinants of physical inactivity and poor dietary intake among them. Method: We analyze levels and patterns of physical activity and dietary habits using data from the 'Understanding Lives of the Adolescents and Young Adults (UDAYA)' Survey, 2016, from Bihar, one of the less developed states in India. The analysis was carried out using data collected from 2004 adolescent boys aged 14–19 years covering 33,900 households. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the effect of predictor variables on physical activity and dietary habits. Results: Most adolescent boys (71%) engaged in physical activities during the one month before the survey. Fifteen percent did not engage in physical activity during the reference period and 13% never participated in such activities. One-fourth consumed three or more food groups and 6% did not daily consume any of the six selected food groups. Participants' age, place of residence, schooling status, and co-residence with siblings are strong predictors of physical activity. Place of residence, caste and economic status, household head's gender, schooling of household head, and number of siblings are factors identified as predictors of dietary habits. Conclusion: This study underscores the urgent need for steps to enhance participation in physical activities and to promote daily consumption of meals with adequate dietary diversity among adolescent boys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unhealthy behaviors including smoking, drinking, and drug use often begin during adolescence and are closely related to morbidity and mortality. This study examines the prevalence and factors associated with substance use among adolescent boys in Bihar, India. Data from the Understanding the Lives of Adolescents and Young Adults (UDAYA), conducted in 2015–16 in two Indian states, was used for analysis (n = 2004 adolescent boys aged 14–19 years). A multivariate logistic regression model was applied to estimate the effect of various correlates on substance use. Prevalence of tobacco consumption (19%) is high, followed by consumption of alcohol (8%) and drug use (1.2%) among adolescent boys in Bihar. One-fifth have ever used at least one substance. Age, education, current schooling status, wealth quintile, household head's educational attainment, and mother's education level are found to be important factors influencing substance use. It is essential to adopt more pointed programs which can effectively reduce substance use among adolescents in this and similar states. Programs related to prevention of substances should be expanded effectively through health education programs, media messages at the grassroots level, especially in the socio-economically backward states in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]