The study attempted to identify the prevalence and distribution of risk factors of non-communicable diseases among urban and rural population in Gujarat, India. Using the WHO stepwise approach, a cross-sectional study was carried out among 1,805 urban and 1,684 rural people of 15-64 years age-group. Information on behavioural and physiological risk factors of non-communicable diseases was obtained through standardized protocol. High prevalence of smoking (22.8%) and the use of smokeless tobacco (43.4%) were observed among rural men compared to urban men (smoking-12.8% and smokeless tobacco consumption-23.1%). There was a significant difference in the average consumption of fruits and vegetables between urban (2.18±1.59 servings) and rural (1.78±1.48 servings) area. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was observed to be high among urban men and women in all age-groups compared to rural men and women. Prevalence of behavioural risk factors, overweight, and obesity increased with age in both the areas. Twenty-nine percent of the urban residents and 15.4% of the rural residents were found to have raised blood pressure, and the difference was found to be statistically significant (p<0.01). For both men and women, the prevalence of overweight and obesity, hypertension, and lack of physical activities were significantly higher in the urban population while smoking, smokeless tobacco consumption, poor consumption of fruits and vegetables were more prevalent in the rural population. The results highlight the need for interventions and approaches for the prevention of risk factors of non-communicable diseases in rural and urban areas.

Prevalence of smoking Predictors of tobacco use a b s t r a c tObjectives: The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and demographic correlates of tobacco use in the adult population.Method: The sample selection was based on stratified random sampling technique selecting a total of 1635 persons from different parts of Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh, India.The demographic details of participants along with prevalence of tobacco use were recorded.Results: The prevalence of tobacco use among the subpopulation studied was 31.1% for males and 6.1 for females. Both smoking and chewing tobacco were found to be associated with various demographic parameters. The rural population showed a higher prevalence of tobacco use among both males and females; the male smoking prevalence was higher in the urban population (23.0%) than its rural counterpart (18.1%). Also the prevalence of tobacco use was directly proportionate to age increasing upto the age of approximately 60 years, then declined. Stepwise Regression analysis showed gender as the strongest predictor for smoking followed by area of residence, education and age. Whereas education was the most significant predictors for chewing tobacco, followed by gender and age. Conclusion:The results of this study clearly indicate an association between tobacco prevalence and various demographic factors. To reduce the cancer burden, intervention measures to control tobacco use should specifically target those socio-demographic predictors of the subpopulation which are more susceptible to tobacco consumption.