1Dept of Pathology, JNMC, Belgaum
2Dept of Community Medicine, BIMS, Belgaum
3Dept of Community Medicine, JNMC, Belgaum
4Dept of Forensic Medicine, BIMS, Belgaum
Online published on 17 November, 2012.
Alcohol is a worldwide social and medical problem. Increased rates of drunkenness leads to involvement in road traffic accidents. Similarly use of tobacco is implicated in more deaths than all other psychoactive substances.
To study the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco consumption among drivers in Belgaum.
A detailed pretested and validated questionnaire was used for interviewing the drivers. The information regarding basic socio-demographic variables, current habits (alcohol & tobacco use), past habits, frequencies/dosages, duration etc, were collected with the help of questionnaire.
Of the drivers 91(24.9%) were current smokers, 27(7.4%) were ex-smokers and 247(67.7%) were non-smokers. The alcohol consumption rate was 35.1% and 25(6.8%) drivers had stopped consuming alcohol and were called ex-consumers.
The prevalence of alcohol consumption was high among drivers (35.1%) compared to general population. The use of smokeless tobacco was high among drivers (38.9%) compared to smoking form of tobacco (24.9%).
Alcohol, Tobacco, Transport, Drivers
