Prevalence of Alcohol and Nicotine Dependence among Coffee Plantation Workers, Coorg, Karnataka, India

Background: Alcohol consumption and tobacco use are dependence-producing drugs and are associated with health, social and economic implications. To explore the same among plantation workers, the study was carried out. Objective: To assess the prevalence of alcohol and nicotine dependence among coffee plantation workers at, Coorg, India.

Method: A cross-sectional study was done among 163 coffee plantation workers in South Coorg from April 2010 to June 2010. Two standard questionnaires were used- AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) for alcohol use and Fagerstrom questionnaire for smoked and smokeless tobacco use. Data was analysed using SPSS and Epi info v3.5.1.

Results: The mean age of onset of use of tobacco and alcohol was 29.08 and 25.09 years respectively. About 50.3% of respondents were using tobacco and 30.1% of respondents was consuming alcohol at the time of the study. 33.3% of respondents who were using tobacco and 6.75% of respondents who were consuming alcohol had experienced its side-effects at some point of time. There was a strong association between smoking tobacco and lower educational status. There was no association between tobacco use (smoking and smokeless) and variables such as age group, type of family, number of family members, per capita income and total work experience. There was no association between alcohol use and age, gender, education status, family type, number of family members and per capita income. There was no association between alcohol use and tobacco use.

Conclusion: Health education, counseling, motivation, de-addiction therapy and rehabilitation are recommended for prevention of ill effects of tobacco and alcohol.