ASPO Abstracts
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Smoking Behaviours among Dental and Medical Students in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Category: Lifestyles Behavior, Energy Balance & Chemoprevention, Behavioral Science & Health Communication
Conference Year: 2018
Abstract Body:
BACKGROUND Tobacco use continues to be the leading cause of preventable disease and it is responsible for more than 5 million deaths each year worldwide. Despite this, there are still 650 million smokers in the world. The prevalence of smoking among adults accounts for approximately 25% deaths annually. Undoubtedly, there has been a gradual reduction in smoking prevalence in the last years in the western countries, but smoking remains the main cause of mortality and morbidity in the developing nations. Healthcare professionals have an important role to play both as advisers influencing smoking cessation and as role models. However, many of them continue to smoke. Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of smoking cessation programs and the importance of physician’s advice to their patients. The aims of the present study are as follows: (i) to evaluate smoking prevalence, knowledge and attitudes, and tobacco cessation training (ii) to examine the difference between smokers and nonsmokers; (iii) to estimate the extent of teaching about tobacco and smoking cessation techniques (iv) to recommend the integration of tobacco-related education in the curriculum MATERIALS AND METHODS A structured questionnaire consisting of 14 questions related to tobacco/smoking habits, cessation training and role of health professionals in tobacco control were asked to the study population and their response was recorded. Random sampling method was used and data was collected from a cross-sectional survey. The surveywas conducted between January and February 2015. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 17 and Logistic regression model was used to identify possible associations with tobacco smoking status. The level of significance was 𑃠‰¤ 0.05. RESULTS. A total of 259answered the questionnaire of which 29% declared to be smokers. About 53% of the males have smoked at least once in their life and the age of cigarette initiation was 16-17 years for 28% of the sample.76%considered health professionals as behavioural models for patients, and 96% affirmed that health professionals have a role in giving advice or information about smoking cessation. Although 87% heard about smoking related issues during undergraduate courses, only 17% received specific smoking cess
Keywords: Medical and Dental Students, smoking, cancer awareness