The Burden and Factors Associated With Smokeless Tobacco Use Among Adults in Nikki, Benin.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with consumption of smokeless tobacco (SLT) at Nikki, northern Benin.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional interview study carried out from November 2023 to September 2024 among adults aged≥18 years, after a process of two-stage random sampling.

Results: Overall, 688 participants were interviewed. Their mean age was 32.2 ± 13.3 years with a male-female ratio of 4.5:1. The prevalence of current SLT use (defined as currently consumption or consumption in the last 12 months) was 26.9% (95% CI = 23.7-30.3) while that of daily use was 15.1% (95% CI = 12.6-18.0). Factors associated with SLT consumption were age ≥30 years (aPR = 3.7; P < 0.001), male gender (aPR = 10.8; P < 0.001), not attending school (aPR = 4.1; P = 0.035), alcohol consumption (aPR = 4.0; P < 0.001), lack of awareness of the harm caused by SLT (aPR = 2.2; P < 0.001), a impression of SLT being less harmful compared with smoking tobacco (aPR = 5.2; P < 0.001), peer pressure and influence (aPR = 2.9; P = 0.001) and exposure to marketing (aPR = 3.5; P < 0.001). The possible association of SLT with harmful health risks was known by 399 (58%) participants.

Conclusion: The prevalence of SLT use was high among adults in Nikki, northern Benin. Raising awareness and regulating the sale of SLT products would help to mitigate this scourge; and further qualitative research are needed to determine the socio-cultural determinants of SLT consumption.