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
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