Study on the use of tobacco among male medical students in Lucknow, India

Abstract

Objectives:Is use of tobacco a major health problem among medical students? To find out the factors associated with the use of tobacco.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was done on 250 undergraduate male medical students using a pre-designed, pre-tested questionnaire to study about the problem and various correlates of the tobacco use. Data was collected and analysed using Excel and SPSS software.Results:Among the tobacco users (28.8%), smoking was found in 87.5% and tobacco chewing in the form of gutka, khaini, gulmanjan (locally available forms of tobacco) in 37.5% as the predominant means of the use of tobacco. The mean age of our sample was 23.5 years. The residential background, i.e., rural or urban, and religion were not significantly associated with the use of tobacco in the present study. Hostellers were found to be more frequent tobacco users as compared to day-scholars. There was a familial aggregation of the use of tobacco. The factor initiating the use of tobacco was usually peer pressure.Conclusion:Tobacco use is a significant problem among the male medical students and we need to take steps to stop its use by them so as to prevent them from being exposed to its hazardous effects. This will also make their role in the advocacy of the smoking cessation activities more trustworthy.

A cross sectional study on tobacco and alcohol abuse among medical college students

“…6 Also when compared to study done by Kumari, Nath on male medical graduates, the prevalence of tobacco abuse was significantly higher in our study (74.19% versus 28.8%). 7 Tobacco abuse was also significantly higher in females at 15.29% versus 2.9% as stated by Chaterjee et al at 2.9%. 8 Like our study, cigarette smoking was the most common form of tobacco abuse in CARRS study done by Berg et al in individuals of Chennai, Karachi and Delhi.…”

A study of habits of tobacco use among medical students and influence of various factors including medical education

“…7,8 In some previous similar studies, prevalence was higher compared to our study. [9][10][11] In 2009, prevalence was also higher (34.9% in adult and 9.6% in adolescent) among general population of India. 4 As per report of world health organization, prevalence of tobacco usage was in decreasing trend in India.…”

“…3 Thus our study showed low prevalence of tobacco use than similar past studies among medical students and among general population. 4,[9][10][11] Factors like cultural values, peer groups, socioeconomic conditions in various geographical areas and colleges influence tobacco habits.…”

“…Smoking was the major form of tobacco use in other studies also. 8,9 As per global adult tobacco survey India 2009-10 (GATS India), smoking was less preferred compared to other forms of tobacco among general population in India. 4 Tobacco use practice appears to be different among medical students compared to general population in India as per results of our study and other Indian studies.…”

“…4 Tobacco use practice appears to be different among medical students compared to general population in India as per results of our study and other Indian studies. 8,9 In developed western countries, tobacco usage pattern of smoking was higher compared to smokeless tobacco in general population. 12 Tobacco usage pattern of smoking among medical students in India is comparable to pattern among general population in developed western countries.…”