Tobacco uses and awareness about its ill-effects among municipal solid waste workers in Davangere city: a cross-sectional survey

Background: Tobacco consumption among municipal waste handlers in India is a major health and economic burden. Aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of tobacco use and awareness about its ill effects among municipal solid waste (MSW) workers in Davanagere city. Methods: A cross-sectional survey involved a stratified sample of 360 group D municipal workers aged 38.58±10.7 years in Davangere city done from January – April 2023 in the field setting. Data was collected using investigator administered structured proforma which had provision to record demographic characteristics and had a 6 items questionnaire with closed ended responses, tested for validity. Results: Majority were female workers (51%). Around 74% of were sweepers and rest were waste collectors. Self-reported systemic diseases and oral health problems were prevalent among 11% and 13.33% respectively. Around 39.3% reported using tobacco wherein, 31% used smokeless form and 8.3% used smoking form. Average age of onset of smoking was 25.35±6.39 years. Betel nut and leaf was most common additive (23.3%) used with smokeless tobacco followed by gutka and pan masala. The mean knowledge score of participants was 8.49±1.1 reflecting good knowledge about ill effects of tobacco consumption. Majority of workers believed that tobacco was injurious to health (91.3%), 86.7% were aware of early signs of oral cancer. Conclusions: Inspite of fair knowledge about harmful effects of tobacco consumption the prevalence of tobacco use was high among group D municipal workers of Davanagere city.