A retrospective cross sectional study conducted in Veer Chandra Singh Garwali Government Medical Science And Research Institute, Srinagar to assess the prevalence of tobacco usage and awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco among the sample populat

Abstract

Aim: Present study aimedto assess the prevalence of tobacco usage among the sample population and to find out the awareness of the participant on the harmful effects of tobacco products.Materials and method:A retrospective cross-sectional study regarding the prevalence of tobacco usage among the population visiting out patient department of dentistry at Veer Chandra Singh Garwali Government Medical Science And Research Institute Srinagar and Garhwal. A total of 480 subjects were tobacco user out of which 260 were males and 220 were females. They were divided into 4 age groups namely 15-30 years, 31-45 years and 46-60 years and 61-75 years . Data regarding the usage of tobacco and its harmful effects was collected from the subjects by giving a self designed questionnaire with both English & Hindi options.Results: The overall prevalence rate of tobacco usage was found to be 60%, males accounted for 65% and females accounted for 55%, the M:F ratio being 1.18 :1. Among the males the prevalence of using tobacco in the age group of 15-30 years is 46.15 %, 31-45 years is 28.8 %, 46-60 yrs is 17.3% & 61-75 years is 7.6%. Among the males maximum percentage of people using tobacco was seen in the age group of 15-30yrs followed 31-45yrs, 46-60yrs & 61-75 yrs.Conclusion: Srinagar is rural district of India most of the subjects were of lower middle and lower socioeconomic strata . Majority of population were unaware of the harmful effects of tobacco usage we have to conduct more tobacco eradication programmes , school and colleges school health programmes , street play n use of media to increase awareness among the population.