Prevalence and Determinants of Tobacco Use among Public Bus Staff in Banke District, Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors

  • Raymond B C Kathmandu Multiple College, Purbanchal University, Gaushala, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Sushhama Neupane Kathmandu Multiple College, Purbanchal University, Gaushala, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Reeone Khadka Torrens University, Adelaide, Australia https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6830-4307
  • Samir Bhatta Kathmandu Multiple College, Purbanchal University, Gaushala, Kathmandu, Nepal https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8360-0972
  • Chetan Bhatta Kathmandu Multiple College, Purbanchal University, Gaushala, Kathmandu, Nepal https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7276-0787

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70280/njph(2025)v2i2.41

Keywords:

Tobacco use, peer pressure, drivers, Nepal, occupational health

Abstract

Introduction

Tobacco consumption, encompassing both smoked and smokeless forms, is the leading cause of preventable death, responsible for more than 7-8 million deaths each year.  It remains a significant public health challenge globally and in Nepal, particularly among high-risk occupational groups such as public transport workers. The study aims to assess the prevalence and determine the determinants of smoked and smokeless tobacco use among public bus drivers and staff in Banke District, Nepal: a cross-sectional study.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 195 drivers and support staff selected using systematic random sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire adapted from the Nepal STEPS Survey 2019. Descriptive statistics summarised the prevalence and consumption patterns, while Chi-square tests assessed associations, with significance set at p<0.05.

Results

Among participants, 52.8% were current smokers and 80.5% were current smokeless tobacco users. Dual use was observed in 47.2% of users. The mean age of participants was 33.4±9.4 years, and the mean initiation age for tobacco use was 18.8±3.8 years. Most smokers (61.8%) consumed six or more sticks per day, while the average smokeless tobacco use was 11.9±7.6 packets daily. Smoking was strongly associated with young age (OD=1.881, 95% CI: 1.064-3.325), smokeless tobacco use was linked to lower education (OR = 2.16, 95%CI: 1.03-4.52) support staff occupation (OR = 2.245, 95%CI: 1.042-4.838). Religion showed a protective association (OR = 0.79, 95%CI: 0.73-0.85).

Conclusion

Tobacco use is alarmingly high among bus drivers and staff in Banke, with early initiation and high dual use. Peer influence, wakefulness were the driving factors for the usage of tobacco products.

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Published

2026-02-10

How to Cite

B C, R., Neupane, S., Khadka, R., Bhatta, S., & Bhatta, C. (2026). Prevalence and Determinants of Tobacco Use among Public Bus Staff in Banke District, Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study. Nepal Journal of Public Health, 2(2), 34–40. https://doi.org/10.70280/njph(2025)v2i2.41

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): Nepal Journal of Public Health

Section

Original Research Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Raymond B C, Sushhama Neupane, Reeone Khadka, Samir Bhatta, Chetan Bhatta

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