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

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