Exploring the profile of patients attending tobacco cessation clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Punjab

Abstract

Background: Indian Global Adult Tobacco Survey round II in year 2016-17 reported that 28.6% (26.7 crore) adults use tobacco in various forms and is responsible for 1.35 million deaths per year. Mandatory establishment of tobacco cessation clinic (TCC) in medical colleges will surely curb this problem though at secondary level of prevention. Aims & objectives: This research was planned to study the sociodemographic profile of patients attending TCC in a tertiary care hospital of Punjab. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 patients attending TCC and Fagerstorm scale was used. Results: Out of 100 patients, 96% were males and 4% females with mean age of 38.09± 12.02 years. Over half (55%) of patients were having education above senior secondary level, 14% being illiterate and 72% were married. Religion-wise, 48% were Sikhs, 46% Hindus and 6% Muslims. Half of the patients were consuming smokeless tobacco (SLT) and 40% were addicted on smoked form. About 39% of patients were in stage 1 of behavior change and 4% were in the final stage of behavior change. The mean Fagerstorm score for nicotine dependence was 6.67±2.92. The relationship between type of tobacco usage and religion was statistically significant (p<0.01). Conclusion: SLT is on the rise. Many of the working and young to middle age males are addicted to tobacco and they are in need of cessation services to lead a healthy life in future. Services for substance abuse need to be integrated along with TCC.