A comparative study of perceptions on tobacco in vulnerable populations between India and France

Abstract

Abstract:Perceptions of tobacco are a relatively unexplored issue in disadvantaged populations in India and France. The objectives of this study included the following: obtain qualitative information on representations of tobacco use and cessation within two vulnerable populations; identify cultural factors that influence tobacco use and cessation; and acquire information for the development of effective tobacco cessation strategies. A total of 21 focus groups were conducted in India and France. All study participants were disadvantaged adults 18 years old or older. Sixty women resided in South Delhi in India and 163 adults with disabilities resided in the south of France. They were all current tobacco users. Data were collected by focus group and analysed with thematic coding. In both samples, the most relevant reasons of tobacco use were daily life circumstances, which were also a major barrier to quitting. None of the participants reported that quitting difficulties could be due to dependence or nicotine addiction. The data also suggested that whilst some participants wanted to stop, they also anticipated quitting would be extremely challenging. In addition, there were a number of cross-cultural differences between Indian and French disadvantaged people: level of information concerning the health risk related to tobacco use and level of demand for support to quit from health professionals were most often cited. Recommendations are made for a specific approach among disadvantaged people. The paper concludes that in order to facilitate cessation, tobacco control interventions need to focus on coping strategies to deal with feelings of distress, withdrawal symptoms, and the circumstances of everyday life experienced by disadvantaged tobacco users. (Global Health Promotion, 2013; 20 Supp. 4: 82-89).

Tobacco-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices among urban low socioeconomic women in Mumbai, India

“…This is in contrast to another study conducted in France and India, wherein most participants felt quitting tobacco was a challenge. [22] Thus, the present study among urban low socioeconomic women in Mumbai, India shows high prevalence of smokeless tobacco. The use of masheri is especially popular among these women.…”

“…This is in contrast to another study conducted in France and India, wherein most participants felt quitting tobacco was a challenge. [ 22 ]…”

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Relation to Addictive Behaviors: A Moderated-Mediation Analysis of Personality-Risk Factors and Sex

“…The use of a composite dependent-variable index of addictive behaviors also provided a more comprehensive approach than one which examined each addictive activity separately (although these data have been provided as supplementary information). This strategy is particularly relevant since preferences for specific addictive activities are known to vary across sociocultural groups ( 59 – 61 ). In addition, while other studies have examined personality correlates of ADHD – in particular, those also associated with risk for addiction – as reviewed in the Section “ Introduction ,” this body of work has largely investigated constructs related to impulsive responding.…”

Social impacts on adult use of tobacco: findings from the International Tobacco Control Project India, Wave 1 Survey

“…A qualitative study among 60 disadvantaged women smokeless tobacco users in Delhi, participants expressed that seeing others around them chewing tobacco would pose a challenge to quitting. 25 On the other hand, the ITC Four Country Survey found that smokers who lost touch with smoking friends between two waves of the survey were significantly more likely to have attempted to quit (OR= 1.5; p< 0.0001) and to have quit successfully (OR= 1.6; p< 0.01) than those who did not lose any smoking friends during the period. 26 …”