Year : 2024

Volume : Volume 16

Issue : Issue 6

Address for correspondence :
Nusrat Rizvi
nusratkhan828@gmail.com

Abstract

Background: Tobacco behavior among youth is an extremely complex area in India. An estimated 5, 500 youth start using tobacco every day. The use of smokeless tobacco, such as gutkha (an inexpensive chewing tobacco), is most popular among youth, followed by cigarette and bidi smoking (a hand-rolled, filter-less cigarette). The prevalence of smoking and tobacco use in India has been inadequately reported. There is an urgent need for youth-focused intervention. The present study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, and behavioral determinants of tobacco usage among college students. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, and behavioral determinants of tobacco usage among college students in Chittorgarh city. Among the total study population of 500 subjects, 281 (56.2%) were male and 219 (43.8%) were female, aged between 22 and 24 years. The study subjects were interviewed using a structured, pretested, close- and open-ended questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20. Descriptive analysis was used to assess the distribution of responses to all study variables, and the association between dependent and explanatory variables was assessed using the Chi-square test. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Among the total study population of 500 college students, 0.281 (56.2%) were male and 219 (43.8%) were female. According to age distribution, 151 (30.2%) study participants belonged to the age group of 22 years, 182 (36.4%) to 23 years, and 167 (33.4%) to 24 years. All study participants responded to the harmful effects of smoking. 94.4% believed that smoking is definitely harmful to health. When asked about their attitude toward starting smoking, 96.6% had a negative attitude. Only 0.3% (15) of participants were smokers. When asked about quitting smoking, 53.3% expressed interest. Conclusion: The study provides useful insights into the factors to be considered when planning adolescent anti-smoking programs in this and similar settings. College-based awareness programs followed by cessation initiatives utilizing peer pressure should be implemented so that students can resist pressure to use tobacco. Such smoking prevention programs may focus on modifying attitudes toward smoking and providing a cigarette-free environment in and around the college campus.