Prevalence of Tobacco Smoking and KAP about Smoking among Students of a Private Medical College in Central Kerala
Journal Title: National Journal of Research in Community Medicine - Year 2015, Vol 4, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: Smoking is a leading cause of preventable death globally, contributing to more than 5 million estimated deaths every year. Smoking among health care personnel such as medical students is an important public health issue. This study was done to understand and in future find effective measures to reduce tobacco smoking among medical students. Objectives: To find the prevalence and to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of tobacco smoking among students of a Private Medical College in Central Kerala. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study, using pretested, anonymous questionnaire, was conducted in a private medical college in central Kerala and proportions, test of significance like χ 2 and t test were used. Results: Out of 342 students, 26 (7.6%) were smokers; Males 25 (21.0%, out of 119), females 1 (0.44% out of 223), 72 (21.1%) had ever smoked; of which 60 were males (50.42%) and 12 (5.38%) were females; 82 (24%) had family members who smoked; 196 (57.3%) had relatives who smoked; and 184 (53.8%) had a smoker in their friend circle. The 26 smokers had a mean age of 21.88 years, SD1.306 years, as compared to 316 non-smokers who had a mean age of 20.71 years, SD 1.745 years, t-test value 4.297, P=0.000. Thirty two students (9.4%) did not know that sterility is caused by smoking. 22 (78.57%) were mild smokers, 5 (17.85%) were moderate smokers and 1 (3.5%) was severe smoker. Eleven (3.2% of the total and 34.37% of smokers) claimed to smoke on the college property; 68.4% of students do not like to socialize or engage in activities with smokers. 17 (53.2% of smokers) want to quit smoking; 17 (51.5% of smokers) claimed to have a relapse. Conclusions: Prevalence of smoking was found to be 7.6%. Besides, it was observed that smoking habit is more among males (21% of total males). Smokers are predominantly more between 21-26 years of age. Most students started the habit of smoking between 16-20 years of age, therefore it is necessary to bring positive behavioral changes through adoption of comprehensive awareness programs on harmful effects of smoking among adolescent school going children.
Authors and Affiliations
Rajiv K. Singh, Prannoy Pavanan, Ramzeen M Sulaiman, Reeshma Jos, Remyasree C Remabai
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP215467
- DOI -
- Views 102
- Downloads 0
A cross sectional survey on tobacco consumption and implementation of tobacco related legislations in small town of Gujarat, India
Objectives: 1.To determines the prevalence of tobacco consumption in petlad town and thereby produce estimates for other small town of Gujarat. 2. To assess implementation status and impact of tobacco control act. Materi...
A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY TO ASSESS THE EXISTING LABORATORY SERVICES INCOMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRES OF TAMILNADU
BACKGROUND :Community health centres(CHCs), the third tier of network of rural health care institution is required to act primarily as referral centre. The Indian Public Health Standards were framed to measure the effect...
A Study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Reproductive Tract Morbidity among Women in a Rural Area of Tamilnadu
Introduction : Reproductive ill health accounts for most of the burden of disease among women. Women are at a greater risk compared to men and because of stigma are less likely to seek treatment. There is a poor awarenes...
Study on lifestyle risk factors in school children and its relationship to their mothers’
Introduction:Globally Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. They occur after exposure to a set of lifestyle risk factors. Obesity and hypertension among adults has its antecedent...
A Study of Feeding Practices in the babies of urban educated mothers attending well baby clinic of a tertiary care maternity hospital.
Background: Ideal food for the young infant is human milk which has the specific characteristics that matches the growing infant’s nutritional requirement. It is the nature’s first food for babies. It provides all the e...