Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Smokeless Tobacco among Adolesence of Two Private Schools of Gadap Town Karachi

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding smokeless tobacco among adolescence of two private schools of Gadap Town Karachi Materials and Methods:This descriptive cross sectional study was carried out in 300 school going children of two private schools of Gadap Town Karachi. The children were 11-19 years of age. The study was conducted for a period of six months from October 2014 to March 2015. Data was collected by self structured questionnaire related to personal information regarding the use of smokeless tobacco habits and the diseases that could be caused by the consumption of smokeless tobacco.Simple Random Sampling technique was used for data collection. Informed consent was taken from the principals of both private schools.Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 20. Results:The study participants, 93.0% had the knowledge about smokeless tobacco while 2.7% subjects had no knowledge and 4.3% were in a category of “Idon’t know” about smokeless tobacco.32% participants had the habit of chewing chalia, 10.7% individuals were placing gutka in the mouth while mawa was placed by 7.3% and mainpuri 6%. Pan chewing habit was 9% and often naswar placing was 4%.One packet of smokeless tobacco was used by 18.7% individuals per day and 22% students used two packets per day. Conclusion: Knowledge, attitude and practice about smokeless tobacco among adolescence of two private schools of Gadap Town Karachi was unsatisfactory. High prevalence of daily use of smokeless tobacco has been identified in this peri-urban area of Karachi.