KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PERCEPTION OF POST-GRADUATES AND INTERNS OF A MEDICAL INSTITUTION TOWARDS NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPY: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY IN BANGALORE CITY, KARNATAKA

Abstract

TITLE: - Knowledge, Attitude and Perception of Post-graduates and Interns of a medical institution towards Nicotine Replacement Therapy: A cross-sectional survey in Bangalore city, Karnataka. AIMS & OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this survey was to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of post-graduates and interns of a medical institution towards nicotine replacement therapy and provide baseline data for future research towards nicotine replacement therapy. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross‑sectional survey was carried over a period of 3 months among 200 Post-graduates and Interns from Rajarajeswari Medical College & Hospital in Bangalore, Karnataka. Data was collected using a 24‑item closed ended self-administered questionnaire, subdivided into four (categories:-demographic details, assessment of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) knowledge, assessment of attitude, assessment of practice and barriers. Data was subjected to statistical analysis). RESULT:-Among the 200 participants, 91.5% of the students had heard about NRT, 52% (n=104) of the participant knew about the different forms of delivering NRT. More than one half of the participants 67% (n=134) of the participants were not aware of the duration of use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)nearly 93.7% of the participant were unaware about the dosage of NRT. This was statistically significant as per obtained (p<0.001*).About 73.5% (n=145) of the participants were not aware about the side-effects of NRT. The attitude towards nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) should be included in the present academic curriculum is positive as 87% (n=174) responding it should include in the academic curriculum. This was statistically significant as per obtained (p<0.001*). CONCLUSION:- The results indicates that lack of detailed knowledge regarding nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) reduces the chance of practicing inspite of having a positive attitude among institutionally attached health practitioners. It is recommended to have training programme on tobacco cessation counselling among medical professions.