Tobacco use among medical professionals in Kerala, India: The need for enhanced tobacco cessation and control efforts

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorMohan, S
dc.contributor.authorPradeepkumar, AS
dc.contributor.authorThresia, CU
dc.contributor.authorThankappan, KR
dc.contributor.authorPoston, WSC
dc.contributor.authorHaddock, CK
dc.contributor.authorPinkston, MM
dc.contributor.authorMuramoto, ML
dc.contributor.authorNichter, M
dc.contributor.authorNichter, M
dc.contributor.authorLando, HA
dc.date.accessioned2015-07-29T07:48:00Z
dc.date.available2015-07-29T07:48:00Z
dc.date.issued2006
dc.description.abstractIn developing nations where reductions in tobacco use have not been realized, it is critical that health professionals be encouraged to abstain from tobacco use. Data on tobacco use among health professionals in India are limited. We conducted cross-sectional surveys among 110 male medical school faculty (MSF), 229 physicians (67% male), 1130 medical students (46% male), and 73 female nursing students. Information on tobacco use and quit attempts was collected using structured questionnaires. Among the male respondents, current smokers were 15.1% of MSF, 13.1% of physicians, and 14.1% of medical students. Among current smokers, 42% of MSF and physicians and 51% of medical students had not attempted quitting in the last year. However, one third of MSF and physicians and 16% of medical students had attempted to quit at least 4 times. This is one of the first studies among health care professionals in India. Our findings show that a substantial proportion of physicians and medical students in Kerala continue to smoke. Smoking cessation programs are warranted in medical schools in Kerala. An initiative is presently underway by the authors to incorporate tobacco education into the medical school curriculum.
dc.identifier.citationAddict Behav. 31;12;2313-8.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16564137
dc.identifier.urihttps://dspace.sctimst.ac.in/handle/123456789/2585
dc.publisherAddictive Behaviors
dc.subjectPublic Health
dc.titleTobacco use among medical professionals in Kerala, India: The need for enhanced tobacco cessation and control efforts
Files
Collections
Journal Articles