Tobacco Cessation Scenarios Among Healthcare Profession Students: A Multidisciplinary Study

Abstract

Background: It is acknowledged that the most effective means to contain the tobacco epidemic is to involve<br />healthcare providers across various disciplines. The present study was undertaken to gain a comprehensive insight<br />into various factors that determine the efficacy of multidisciplinary approaches in tobacco control. Methods: A cross<br />sectional study design using a structured, pretested and self-administered questionnaire was employed in the present study,<br />conducted among medical and dental interns and final year nursing students. Respondent demographics, knowledge,<br />attitude, behaviour, perceived effectiveness and barriers, and willingness to participate in tobacco cessation were assessed.<br />Results: A total of 268 subjects participated, with mean knowledge, attitude, behaviour, perceived effectiveness and<br />barrier scores of 69. 7%, 89.0%, 72.0%, 80.6% and 88.6% respectively. There were significant differences among the<br />mean scores of the study domains across the 3 disciplines. The majority (92.91%) of the respondents were willing to<br />participate in tobacco cessation activities, but only 14.2% had previously received relevant training. Regression analysis<br />revealed that the significant predictors of behaviour scores were gender, course, attitude and perceived effectiveness;<br />those for willingness to undertake tobacco cessation activities were course, attitude, behaviour and perceived barriers.<br />Conclusions: The study highlighted the willingness but low previous training among the participants and also identified<br />factors that determine t behaviour and willingness to undertake tobacco cessation activities. The study emphasizes the<br />need for modification in the policies pertaining to curricula of medical, dental and nursing training programs.