Prevalence of Smokeless Tobacco Consumption among Auto- Rickshaw Drivers in Chennai City

Abstract

Background: Globally, smokeless tobacco usage as a public health concern was on the rise. In addition to being one of
the main causes of chronic diseases, smokeless tobacco is dangerous and a serious carcinogen for users. Aim: The current
study aimed to examine the use of smokeless tobacco (SLT) and to focus on the influences of social support among
drivers of auto-rickshaws who use smokeless tobacco compared to those who do not. Materials and Methods: The study
included a sample of 120 male auto-rickshaw drivers from in and around Chennai city, of which 70 were non-users and 50
used smokeless tobacco. An ex-post factor research design and Convenient sampling methodology were employed in this
study. In this study, the tools utilized were, the Harmful Substance Use Screening Tool - Hnamte and Sasikala,
2020,Content-Based Media Exposure Scale (C-ME2) – A.H. Den Hamer, E.A. Konijn and B.J. Bushman, 2017 and
Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) - Zimet GD, Dahlem NW, Zimet SG, Farley GK, 1988.
The SPSS was used for the data analysis of the variables. To evaluate the data, an independent sample t-test and Pearson's
Product Moment Correlation were employed. Results and Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that pro-social
media exposure was higher among non-smoking tobacco users than among SLT users. Media coverage and social support
for the use of smokeless tobacco among auto-rickshaw drivers did not correlate. Additionally, there was no difference in
the social support and exposure to anti-social media among users and non-users of smokeless tobacco.