ABSTRACT
In India, 14.6% of adolescents are currently using tobacco in any form and tobacco control is a major public health challenge. The objective of this systematic review is to analyze all the existing literature and evaluate the effectiveness of school-based tobacco use prevention programs for adolescents in India. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020159535). Studies were selected using database search, manual search, gray literature, reference chasing, and contacting the authors. All randomized controlled trials, cluster-randomized trials, quasi-experimental, and non-randomized studies reporting school-based tobacco use preventive interventions for adolescents in India; articles published in English (other languages where it can be translated to English) published between January 2000 till May 2020 were included. Data was independently extracted by two reviewers. The Risk of bias (RoB) and quality of the study were assessed using appropriate tools. Among 7972 identified articles, only 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. Each study implemented a unique intervention and measured distinct outcomes. Postintervention, all the studies reported improvements in the study group with respect to the reduction of tobacco use and change in the knowledge, attitude, practices, and/or behavior outcome parameters. Twelve study results were based on short-term assessment. Overall, a 5.17-17.0% tobacco use reduction rate was noted. RoB was high for six studies. Key methodological problems related to study design, duration, outcome parameter, follow-up time, type of intervention, and attrition were identified. School-based tobacco use prevention programs for adolescents in India might have shown positive outcomes but are associated with significant limitations.
Subject(s)
Nicotiana , School Health Services , Adolescent , Humans , Tobacco Use/prevention & control , Schools , Public HealthABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Since petrol is combustible and smoking is banned at the petrol pumps, it may be predicted that use of smokeless tobacco is more prevalent among the petrol fillers. Also, smokeless tobacco is a major risk factor for developing oral potentially malignant disorders. The present study was conducted to determine the tobacco use, body mass index (BMI), and potentially malignant disorders among a cohort of petrol fillers and also to evaluate the interaction of tobacco use and BMI with the presence of potentially malignant disorders. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study was conducted at 45 petrol stations located at Pimpri-Pune, India. A descriptive study design was used. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Four hundred and ten petrol fillers aged 17-64 years participated in the study. General information and tobacco history was obtained by interview. Height and weight were recorded to obtain BMI. Oral examination was conducted to identify the potentially malignant disorders. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Chi-square test, Z test, and logistic regression were used. The level of significance was fixed at 5%. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: It was found that 242 (59.02%) used tobacco in different forms. 77.68% were tobacco chewers, and 8.26% were smokers. Leukoplakia was prevalent among 68.47%, oral submucous fibrosis among 27.45%, and 5.08% had erythroplakia. Age (χ(2) = 11.46, P < 0.05), duration (χ(2) = 17.46, P < 0.05), and frequency of tobacco chewing (χ(2) = 14.16, P < 0.05) were significantly associated with potentially malignant disorders. Tobacco chewing was more prevalent as compared to smoking. It can be concluded that the petrol fillers are at a high risk for developing oral potentially malignant disorders.
ABSTRACT
This survey is undertaken to: (1) assess the perceptions of prosthodontist towards the concept of natural dentition archival (NDA); and (2) to obtain any further suggestions/recommendations regarding it. 616 prosthodontist across India participated in the study. Data was collected using a self- designed, self-administered, pilot tested, structured 10 item questionnaire. Results indicate that 32.1 % prosthodontists make use of pre-extraction records; 54.4 % seemed to give consideration to natural findings of the patient while denture fabrication; 86.7 % recommended patient aged 25-34 years to archive his/her natural dentition to serve as pre-extraction record; 92.2 % were willing to promote the NDA concept for their patients and 33.7 % thought that it is an extra burden. It was noted that postgraduate students (61.5 %) significantly gave more consideration to natural findings of the patient as compared to practicing prosthodontist and faculty (p < 0.001). Using, pre-extraction records was preferred by the prosthodontists from urban and periurban area as compared to those from rural area (p < 0.05). 67.8 % prosthodontists' viewed NDA as ideal for denture construction which will result in greater patient satisfaction. However, 46 % prosthodontists have raised concerns like: storage and preservation of cast and records being tedious, extra time needed and patient motivation an added burden. 54 % recommended that NDA concept can be introduced and emphasized in the prosthodontic curriculum, so that the dental students learn and promote it to their future patients. Overall, the perception towards NDA is favourable and the prosthodontist needs to be motivated to utilize this concept.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hookah smoking has been referred to as a global tobacco epidemic by public health officials. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics, behaviour and perceptions related to hookah smoking among the youth smokers in Pune. METHODS: Two hundred and eighty established hookah smokers participated in this study. Data was collected using a 29-item questionnaire, constructed using three main domains: Characteristics (socio-demographic and personal), behaviour and perceptions (about harmful effects in comparison to cigarette smoking). RESULTS: The results indicated that the mean age of starting hookah smoking was 17.3 years; 75% of participants did not have parental acceptance; light-headedness, dizziness and headache were most common reported nicotine effects, post hookah smoking. Hookah smoking on a daily basis was reported by 24.6% participants. The mean time of hookah session was 1 hour and 19 minutes. 68.2% participants were reported to smoke hookah in hookah-cafes and 35.7% participants were found to share the hookah. Some 66.7% participants had no intention to quit. Most of them (71-80%) had misperception about the safety of hookah smoking over cigarette smoking and 54-82% participants were unaware of health effects. CONCLUSIONS: Educational intervention is urgently needed to create awareness among the youth about the harmful effects of hookah smoking.
