The pattern of tobacco use and the associated socio-demographic factors among Transgenders living in Chennai city of Tamil Nadu, India

Introduction: The tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced, which kills more than 8 million people a year around the world. Transgenders are prone to use and abuse substances including tobacco and alcohol as a coping mechanism to manage minority stress experienced due to high levels of discrimination and lack of acceptance by society. Objectives: Among transgenders living in Chennai city, Tamil Nadu, (1) we aimed to estimate the prevalence and describe the pattern of tobacco use and (2) identify the sociodemographic factors associated with tobacco use. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 734 transgender adults living in the Chennai city of Tamil Nadu. A pre-tested, semi-structured interview schedule was used. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and proportions were used for categorical variables. Chi-square test was applied to find the significance of the association between tobacco use and sociodemographic factors. Results: The prevalence of the current use of any form of tobacco products among transgenders was 64.4%. About 27% had tried to stop using tobacco during the past 1 year. Education status, socioeconomic class, and occupation were significantly associated with the current use of any form of tobacco and trying to quit tobacco use. Conclusion: The prevalence of tobacco use among transgenders is alarming. The present study findings highlight the need to increase awareness activities by health authorities and non-government organizations (NGOs)/community-based organizations (CBOs) to generate awareness about the health hazards of tobacco use among transgenders. Tobacco control programs focussing on transgenders are essential.