| Health behaviour in context: Exploratory multi-level analysis of smoking, drinking and tobacco chewing in four states |
| Authors: |
Subramanian, S.V., S. Nandy, M. Kelly, D. Gordon, G.D. Smith |
| Source: |
Economic and Political Weekly, Vol 39, Num 7, Page: 689-693 |
| Topic(s): |
Alcohol consumption
Tobacco use
|
| Country: |
Asia
India
|
| Published: |
SEP 2004 |
| Abstract: |
This paper aims to describe the socio-demographic and economic patterning
of smoking, drinking and tobacco chewing behaviour in India. It also studies the effect of
micro (individual households) and macro environments (local areas, districts, states) on
health behaviour. The study finds strong, independent effects of socio-economic
position and social caste, with the better-off smoking, drinking and chewing tobacco
less. Significant local area, district and state variations suggest the importance
of contexts in shaping health behaviours. It follows that more than individual
behavioural change, the direction for policy may well be to focus
on changing the macro environments. |
|