Awareness on ill effects of tobacco usage among tobacco users

Abstract

Tobacco use is reported to increase the chance of a person to get mouth, lip, and lung cancers, chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular diseases, etc. Tobacco-related deaths are reported to occur among almost six million individuals each year. The objective of the study is to assess awareness and perception on ill effects of tobacco usage among tobacco users in a dental institution. A self-administered survey form was distributed among 100 study participants. Google Forms were distributed in an online forum. The questions were related to awareness on ill effects of tobacco usage and perception regarding harmful effects of tobacco among tobacco users. Collected data were analyzed using statistical software. Among the 100 participants, 68% were males and 32% were females. 73% of the participants reported that they were aware that smoking causes lung disease. Graduated participants were more aware that reduced fertility and sexual impotence would develop among men due to tobacco use (Pearson Chi-square value - 29.380; P = 0.01). The present study suggested that even though most of the respondents had adequate knowledge about the effects of tobacco on general health, knowledge about the consequences of tobacco usage was still inadequate.