Tobacco Cessation Scenarios Among Healthcare Profession Students: A Multidisciplinary Study

BACKGROUND: It is acknowledged that the most effective means to contain the tobacco epidemic is to involve healthcare providers across various disciplines. The present study was undertaken to gain a comprehensive insight into various factors that determine the efficacy of multidisciplinary approaches in tobacco control. METHODS: A cross sectional study design using a structured, pretested and self-administered questionnaire was employed in the present study, conducted among medical and dental interns and final year nursing students. Respondent demographics, knowledge, attitude, behaviour, perceived effectiveness and barriers, and willingness to participate in tobacco cessation were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 268 subjects participated, with mean knowledge, attitude, behaviour, perceived effectiveness and barrier scores of 69. 7%, 89.0%, 72.0%, 80.6% and 88.6% respectively. There were significant differences among the mean scores of the study domains across the 3 disciplines. The majority (92.91%) of the respondents were willing to participate in tobacco cessation activities, but only 14.2% had previously received relevant training. Regression analysis revealed that the significant predictors of behaviour scores were gender, course, attitude and perceived effectiveness; those for willingness to undertake tobacco cessation activities were course, attitude, behaviour and perceived barriers. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlighted the willingness but low previous training among the participants and also identified factors that determine t behaviour and willingness to undertake tobacco cessation activities. The study emphasizes the need for modification in the policies pertaining to curricula of medical, dental and nursing training programs.