Tobacco consumption during childbirth in Dhaka city: patterns and determinants

Sadananda Mitra, Jawaharlal Nehru University
Tandra Majumder, Gandharv Mahavidyalaya

A cross-sectional study of 385 women from the Dhaka city reveals that the consumption of tobacco items during pregnancy was low. The significant differentials were place of residence (slum, non-slum), age and level of education. The results shows that the women from slum households, older women with higher order of parity and illiterate women were more likely to consume tobacco during pregnancy. The multivariate analysis shows that the chance of hemorrhage was higher for women who consumed tobacco during pregnancy. Utilisation of care during pregnancy had reduced the chance of tobacco consumption habit. Tobacco consumption of mothers suffered multiple complications during pregnancy and delivery. The product limit method shows that the mean duration of illness during childbirth was higher for these women. To reduce the burden of tobacco, health education programme could be launched through preconception and prenatal care, for the socially backward women in the slum areas.