Exploring the predictors of quitting tobacco usage among patients attending a private dental institution--a survey from Jodhpur, India.

BACKGROUND: Burden of tobacco epidemic has swiftly moved to developing countries making the exploration of predictors of quitting tobacco usage extremely important.

AIM: To assess the willingness to quit tobacco use and to ascertain the predictors of quitting tobacco as well as tobacco dependency by employing Fagerstrom scale.

METHODS: The study consisted of 252 subjects visiting the Public Health Dentistry department in a Dental institution JDCGH (Jodhpur Dental College General Hospital), Rajasthan, India. Data on demographic information, tobacco usage and quitting, information on reasons for quitting like; self-concepts, social concerns, legal issues, and health concern was collected by interview schedule method.

RESULTS: Overall 76% of the study participants were planning to quit. Demographic variables like age, marital status and religion were significant predictors of planning to quit tobacco usage (p ≤ 0.05). Significant relationship was observed on Fagerstrom Scale with place of residence, type of tobacco use and frequency of tobacco use (p ≤ 0.05). The most frequent cited reason for quitting tobacco usage was spitting and ash dropping which was embarrassing in-front of others (75.65%) and least reported reason was future health concerns (33.16%).

CONCLUSIONS: Most of the respondents had favourable attitude towards quitting tobacco usage and social concern was the main predictor of quitting tobacco usage. Less reported reasons like legal issues and health concerns have to be explored in depth. The present study highlights the need for more researches exploring the predictors of quitting tobacco usage in India and further nationwide study.