Tobacco use among health care workers of tertiary care center of Faridabad, Haryana, India

Abstract

Background: Associated health risks and increasing mortality with tobacco consumption has been increasing. If people involved in health care of the community practice the same it may further increase the magnitude of problem. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and reasons of tobacco consumption among health care workers (housekeeping staff and nursing orderlies) of a tertiary care center in Haryana, India. Methods: It was a fully mixed concurrent dominant status design with dominant quantitative part where cross sectional design was used. The qualitative component used phenomenology. All the housekeeping staff and nursing orderlies working (306 total) at a tertiary care center, Faridabad were recruited in the study. In depth interview was conducted on twenty workers (12 housekeeping staff and 8 nursing). Results: Overall prevalence of tobacco consumption was 43.4%. Among tobacco users, smokeless tobacco was used by more than half of housekeeping staff (53.2%). Nursing orderly preferred smoked form i.e. cigarette (41%). Participants discussed social and cultural conditions in Haryana under which smoking hookah are practiced and maintained. Smoking as a means of socializing and relaxation were consistently discussed as the main reasons for continued use in everyday lives. Working condition was a compelling factor for housekeeping staff leading to its continuous use to carry on the current job. Conclusion: Tobacco consumption among health workers is higher as compared to general population. Appreciating their diverse representations their attitudes towards health and anti-tobacco measures; would increase acceptance of policies and probability that can lead to positive outcomes.

Tobacco use pattern and quitting behaviour among healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from a pan India online survey

“…Overall, we found that 32.6% of the study participants were ever tobacco user while 23.4% and 16.9% were current and daily tobacco user. Compared to our findings, less proportion of HCPs were reported to be tobacco users by Mony et al 22 (reported 6.9%, 2% and <1% tobacco use among physicians, line workers and nurses respectively) and Sharma et al 24 (reported 12.5% healthcare workers as current tobacco users) whereas higher proportion by Prasad et al 23 (reported 43.4% healthcare workers as current tobacco users). Smoking (78.4%) was the most preferred form of tobacco use among HCPs in our study.…”

“…Smoking (78.4%) was the most preferred form of tobacco use among HCPs in our study. Similar observations have been made by Sharma et al 24 but predominant smokeless tobacco use among healthcare workers have been reported by Prasad et al 23 The variability of the findings may be due to use of selected geographical area for recruitment of the study participants 22 , 23 , 24 unlike ours which had participation from all corners of the country. Moreover, Mony et al 22 and Prasad et al 23 had recruited support staff (i.e.…”

“…Similarly, HCPs who perceived both smoking and smokeless tobacco to be harmful for COVID-19 were more likely to do both tobacco use reduction and quit attempt. A longitudinal study during lockdown from India 23 reported similar observations where 51% of the tobacco users stopped tobacco use due to their concerns about coronavirus. Similarly a study from US 25 reported perceived risk of severe COVID-19 infection among smokers as predictor of desire to quit smoking since COVID-19.…”

“…The proportion of HCPs (24.1%) in our study whose tobacco use did no change during the pandemic was very less compared to general population as reported by Chertok. 20 (43.3%), Streck et al 21 (44.0%) and Gupte et al 23 (70.0%). The HCPs are a special group and highly informed.…”

“…The prevailing Indian studies reported that tobacco consumption among healthcare workers may be as low as <1% or it may be as high as 43.4%. 22 , 23 , 24 Moreover all these prior Indian studies requited study subjects from limited geographical area. There was no prior national survey which have explored the issue.…”