BACKGROUND: Indigenous populations, referred to as tribes, are among the most marginalized and impoverished groups in India. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of substance use and its association with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among women of reproductive age.
METHODS: Cross-sectional data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), 2019–2021, were analyzed. The survey employed a multi-stage sampling design, and 135.239 women aged 15–49 years were included. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used to explore the relationships between socio-cultural factors, substance use, and NCDs.
RESULTS: Indigenous women exhibited a higher prevalence of substance use compared to non-Indigenous women. Women aged 35–49 years were 2.3 times more likely to engage in substance use (95% CI: 2.2–2.4). Substance use was more common among women in disrupted marital statuses, Christians, individuals from poorer wealth groups, urban residents, and those living in northeastern India. Additionally, the prevalence of hypertension, asthma, heart disease, and diabetes was higher among Indigenous women who consumed substances. Geographically, NCD prevalence was particularly high in eastern and central regions of India.
CONCLUSIONS: The strong correlation between high substance use and elevated NCD prevalence underscores the urgent need for targeted intervention strategies to address substance abuse and prevent NCDs in Indigenous women.