Perceptions Related To Tobacco Cessation Among Health Professionals, Policy Makers And Patients In Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Perceptions Related To Tobacco Cessation Among Health Professionals, Policy Makers And Patients

Sandra Ernest Joseph; Navya Vyas; Janmesh Shah; Abraham Johnson

Authors

Sandra Ernest Joseph Departmet of Health Policy, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal University, Karnataka
Navya Vyas Departmet of Health Policy, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal University, Karnataka
Janmesh Shah Department of Community Oncology and Medical Records, Gujarat Cancer Research Institute, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Abraham Johnson Institute of Forensic Science, Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat

Keywords:

perception, tobacco cessation, health professional, policy maker, patients, barrier

Abstract

Background: Tobacco usage is a global concern and it is essential to curb its usage and increase awareness among patients. Health professionalsâ€™ contribution in tobacco cessation will definitely make a stark difference. Aims: To assess the perception of tobacco cessation activities among health professionals, policy makers and patients. Material And Methods: A mixed method study was conducted. A total of 250 patients from Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad were interviewed using structured questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised of demographic characteristics, tobacco usage and patientâ€™s response about tobacco cessation activities. An in-depth interview for the health professionals and policy maker was carried out. Result: Out of 250 participants, 50.4% of them were found to be belonging to the age group of 25-44 years and 94.4% of them being males. Majority of the patients used gutka (34.8%), pan masala (34%), bidis (14%) and cigarettes (9.2%).Patients had positive attitude towards tobacco cessation activities. Policy makers perceive lack of follow up leading to non compliance of the treatment as one of the barrier in successful implementation of tobacco control policy and program. Inadequate time, lack of training on tobacco cessation activities in the curriculum, non compliance to follow up by the patients, lack of support and motivation from their own family members and fear of losing the patient due to counselling were the important barriers faced by health professionals. Conclusion: Based on the findings above, it is seen that patients are comfortable with receiving advice about quitting tobacco use, from the health professionals. There is also evidence that health professionals can successfully assist individuals to quit tobacco use. Likewise, integrating the tobacco control program into broader national health plans will be done. [Joseph S Natl J Integr Res Med, 2020; 11(3):58-64]

Perceptions Related To Tobacco Cessation Among Health Professionals, Policy Makers And Patients In Ahmedabad, Gujarat