Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF TOBACCO USE AND AWARENESS LEVEL OF ANTI-TOBACCO PRODUCTS AMONG UNDER GRADUATE STUDENTS OF NORTH KARNATAKA

Binu K. M.*, S. Haripriya and H. Doddayya

ABSTRACT

Smoking is a leading cause of preventable death killing more than 5 million yearly. Smoking among health care personnels is an important public health issue. This study was carried out to assess tobacco use among and also create awareness among Medical, Nursing, Dental and Pharmacy students. Out of 511 students 28% were smokers; 26% were males and 1.5% belong to females. Most of the smokers belong to the age group of 25 to 26 years, 18.4% students have started smoking in age group of 18 to 22 years. Among all the participants, highest number of smokers are from medical group 32.9% followed by pharmacy, dental and nursing. Out of all smoker participants 77.3% prefer taking nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation and 22.6% students prefer taking an inhaler which can satisfy physical and mental cravings for nicotine. Almost 77.3% students prefer taking nicotine patch which are adhesive and slowly releases nicotine through skin to quit smoking and 52.5%students prefer taking nicotine gum for smoking cessation, 31.9% students properly follow nicotine replacement therapies in a timely manner, Almost 20.6% students prefer taking clonidine drug for smoking cessation and 17.5% students prefer taking anixolytics for smoking cessation, It was also observed that 13.4% prefer taking varenicline drug for smoking cessation and 15.4% students prefer taking buproprion drug for smoking cessation. Intiation of health campigns among students are required to enhance awareness on the effects of smoking and its addiction.

Keywords: Awareness, Health care professionals, Nicotine Replacement therapy, Smoking cessation health campaigns.