Abstract

Background: Tobacco usage is a global epidemic that is gradually worsening with each passing day. Despite of various efforts being taken against tobacco consumption, it is still a major health issue globally, and in India. Hence the present study is an attempt to assess the change in knowledge and attitude of tobacco use among stone crusher workers in and around Jaipur city before and after intervention.
Method: The main study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase the data regarding the demographic and the personal information on tobacco use, knowledge and attitude was collected using pre designed and pre- tested Performa. In the second phase the basic health education and Cognitive‑ behavioral cessation strategies were provided to the study subjects. Follow-up was done at intervals of 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. All the techniques were reinforced again at the follow‑ ups.
Results: Among the total of 2170 study subjects 615 (28.3%) were smokers, 586 (27.0%) consumed smokeless tobacco and 969 (44.7%) used both smoked and smokeless form. Knowledge regarding various effects of tobacco causing heart attack, asthma, gastritis, lung cancer, oral cancer and headache increases significantly from baseline to fourth counselling. Attitude towards harmful effects and rules and regulations for tobacco use, there was significant increase in mean difference (0.000) between baseline data and fourth counselling respectively.
Conclusion: The prevalence of tobacco use is very high among lower socioeconomic strata. Therefore, tobacco awareness programs and tobacco cessation services tailor made for this group must be planned and implemented.