A nonlinear decomposition analysis of the rural-urban disparities in tobacco use among women in sub-Saharan Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Tobacco use remains a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, with significant gendered dimensions. Place of residence is an important determinant, as rural and urban contexts shape exposure, access, and consumption patterns. This study investigates rural-urban disparities in tobacco use among women in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on quantifying the relative contributions of socioeconomic factors.

Methods

We conducted a pooled cross-sectional analysis using nationally representative data from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) of 22 sub-Saharan African countries (2015-2022). The study sample included 350,536 women aged 15-49 years with complete data on tobacco use and relevant covariates. Tobacco use was defined as self-reported

SUBMITTER: Aboagye RG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12419646 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature