Prevalence and Sociodemographic Factors Associated With Tobacco Use Among Malaysia’s Orang Asli: Evidence From the Orang Asli Health Survey 2022

Abstract

Tobacco use continues to pose a major public health challenge among the Orang Asli in Malaysia. This study analysed secondary data from the nationally representative cross-sectional Orang Asli Health Survey 2022, involving 10 192 Orang Asli aged 15 years and above. Tobacco use was measured using standardized modules adapted from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey and the National Health and Morbidity Survey, and associations were examined using logistic regression in IBM SPSS 28.0. Overall prevalence was 31.2%. The odds of tobacco use were significantly higher among males (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 12.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 11.13, 14.49), the Proto-Malay tribe (aOR = 1.9; 95% CI [1.67, 2.13]), rural residents (aOR = 1.2; 95% CI [1.01, 1.53]), those with lower education (aOR = 1.5; 95% CI [1.33, 1.68]), employed persons (aOR = 1.8; 95% CI [1.57, 2.02]), and individuals with lower income (aOR = 1.2; 95% CI [1.07, 1.34]). These results demonstrate the disproportionate burden among specific sociodemographic groups. Targeted prevention and cessation efforts, alongside strategies addressing socioeconomic disadvantage and strengthened multisectoral collaboration, are needed to reduce tobacco use and improve health outcomes in this vulnerable population.