AWARENESS REGARDING TOBACCO SMOKING AMONG DENTAL HOUSEOFFICERS AND STAFF OF PRIVATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

Abstract

Objective: The main objective of this study wasto determineawareness regarding tobacco smoking as well
as prevalence among dental house officers, teaching and non-teaching staff.
Method: This cross sectional study was designed in Baqai Dental College, Baqai Medical University. This
study was completed by three different designated people of dental department (dental house officers,
teaching and non-teaching staff.).The duration of study in which the survey of study conducted was of 6
months.The survey study was designed on close ended questionnaire consisted of personal and professional
profile i.e. age, gender and designation, and few questions of survey based on knowledge and awareness
regarding tobacco usage and smoking hazard.
Result: The majority of the participants (92.9%) were aware that smoking causes serious diseases where
as (89.7%) agreed that smoking should be prohibited in public places. There were (76.2%) participants
who believed that providing nicotine cessation counselling is an important element of their job as a dental
practitioner, and 59.5% believed that they are well prepared to assist patients in quitting smoking. The
81.7%of participants feltconfident in their ability to explain the harmful effects of cigarette use.
Conclusion: Governments can reduce the number of people who smoke by imposing higher taxes on
tobacco products, launching ongoing social media campaigns, mandating that doctors regularly advise
smokers to give up and offer support while they do so, and granting access to medication and behavioral
support for quitting.