Original Article

Year : 2021 | Volume : 8 | Issue : 2 | Page : 185 - 188

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Related to Tobacco Use among IT Professionals in Chennai – A Cross-sectional Study

Selvamani Baskaran, R. Palanivel Pandian1 , Sathish Rajendran2

Public Health Dentistry, Priyadharshini Dental College and Hospital, 2 Department of Periodontology, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, 1 Public Health Dentistry, Best Dental Science College and Hospital, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Address for correspondence:

Dr. Selvamani Baskaran,

No: 6/151, Avadi Road, Senneerkuppam, Poonamallee, Chennai ‐ 600 056, Tamil Nadu, India.

E‐mail: selvamani870@gmail.com

Aim:

The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice related to tobacco usage among IT professionals in Chennai.

Subjects and Methods:

A cross‐sectional descriptive study was conducted among 615 IT professionals in Chennai. Apreformed questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice related to tobacco use. Statistical tests used were frequency distribution and Chi‐square test.

Results:

Out of 615 study participants, 495 (486 males and 9 females) have consumed tobacco. Among 486 males who consumed tobacco, 481 consumed cigarettes and 5 consumed pan zarda. Among the 9 females who consumed tobacco, all of them consumed cigarettes. Majority of the tobacco consumers (244) reported that they consume tobacco to relieve from tension. Out of 495 tobacco users, only 214 tobacco users attempted to quit the habit. Out of 214 tobacco users who attempted to quit, only 97 tobacco users quit the habit. Among the 97 tobacco users who quit the habit, 56 stated that they encountered health hazards and 41 reported that they quit the tobacco habit for the sake of family members. Among the tobacco users who have not attempted to quit the habit, 155 tobacco users stated that they did not felt it was necessary to quit the habit. Out of 615 study participants, only 255 study participants support strict legislation on tobacco use. Out of 486 males, 354 study participants stated that smoking near them was not harmful, while out of 129 females, majority of them, i.e., 122 study participants, stated that smoking near them was harmful (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

It was found from the study that majority of the study participants were tobacco users and cigarette was the most commonly used form of tobacco. Although majority of the study participants reported that they were aware of the ill effects of tobacco, they were not reported to support strict legislation related to tobacco use.

Keywords: Cigarette, health professionals, smoking, tobacco

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

How to cite this article:

Baskaran S, Pandian RP, Rajendran S. Knowledge, attitude, and practice related to tobacco use among IT professionals in Chennai – A cross-sectional study. Int J Community Dent 2021;9:185-8.