Abstract
Introduction: Global Smokeless Tobacco (SLT) consumption
is on the rise and constitutes a major Public Health problem.
Controlling SLT intake is central to containing the increasing
tobacco menace.
Aim: The present study was undertaken to comprehensively
explore various factors involved in SLT consumption and its
cessation among current SLT users.
Materials and Methods: Present study was conducted among
current SLT users visiting Department of Oral Medicine and
Radiology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS),
Manipal University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. A structured,
pretested and self-administered questionnaire was employed
for the present study. Knowledge, attitude, behaviour, worksite
practices of respondents towards SLT consumption and its
cessation, barriers to SLT cessation were explored. Information
about socio-demographic variables was also collected.
Results: Overall, 170 current SLT users participated in the
present study. Results revealed that the mean knowledge,
attitude, worksite related practices and barrier scores were
9.96(55.33%), 48.89(81.48%), 2.70(33.75%) and 54.25(60.27%)
respectively. Correlation analysis revealed significant
association of socio-demographic factors with knowledge,
attitude and worksite related practices (p<0.05). SLT cessation
related practices revealed that majority wished to quit (90%)
and significant associations were noted amongst wish to quit
with higher attitude scores; actual quit attempts with higher
attitude, lower barrier scores and difficulty to quit with higher
barrier scores (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The present study draws attention towards
involvement of complex interactions of various parameters
including socio-demographic factors in SLT consumption and
its cessation. Hence, it is imperative to implement multifactorial
SLT control approach in order to contain tobacco menace
spread across the globe.
Citation
ID:
128554
Ref Key:
binnal2016journaldeterminants