Health knowledge and smokeless tobacco quit attempts and intentions among married women in rural B angladesh: Cross‐sectional survey

and Aims The aim of this study was to investigate health knowledge, attitudes and smokeless tobacco quit attempts and intentions among married women in rural B angladesh. Design and Methods A cross‐sectional survey was conducted using an interviewer administered, pretested, semistructured questionnaire. All 8082 women living in the J haudi and G hotmajhee local government areas, aged ≥18 years with at least one pregnancy in their lifetime, were invited to participate. Questions covered smokeless tobacco consumption ( STC ), knowledge regarding its health effects, users' quit attempts and intentions and sociodemographic characteristics. Results Eight thousand seventy‐four women completed the survey (response rate 99.9%). Almost half (45%) of current consumers thought STC was good for their health and many ascribed medicinal values to it, for example 25% thought STC reduced stomach aches. A quarter had previously tried to quit and 10% intended to quit. After adjusting for potential confounders, inaccurate knowledge of STC health consequences was associated with being older [adjusted odds ratio ( aOR ) = 2.71, 95% confidence interval ( CI ) 1.99–3.50], less educated ( aOR  = 2.18, 95% CI 1.66–2.85), Muslim ( aOR  = 17.0, 95% CI 12.0–23.9) and unemployed ( aOR  = 29.7, 95% CI : 25.2–35.1). Having less education ( aOR  = 2.52, 95% CI 0.98–6.45) and being unemployed ( aOR  = 1.52, 95% CI 1.03–2.23) were associated with the intention to quit. Discussion and Conclusions Large gaps exist in rural B angladeshi women's understanding of the adverse health effects of STC . Health awareness campaigns should highlight the consequences of STC . Routine screening and cessation advice should be provided in primary healthcare and smokeless tobacco control strategies should be implemented. [Hossain MS, Kypri K, Rahman B, Akter S, Milton AH. Health knowledge and smokeless tobacco quit attempts and intentions among married women in rural Bangladesh: Cross‐sectional survey. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:514–522]