Objectives: To assess curriculum on tobacco cessation activity (TCA), attitudes & tobacco use in dental students. To explore association between tobacco use and other factors.
Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among dental undergraduates from Baqai Dental College Karachi, using a validated self-complete questionnaire. The questions include socio-demographics, attitudes towards TCA and tobacco use. The sample includes 186 dental students both males and females from all four years of study.
Results: Out of 186 dental students (response rate 86.9%), tobacco use was reported to be 43.5%. Tobacco use was more prevalent in male students (70.5%) as compared to female (30.4%, p=0.001). Tobacco use was more prevalent in years 3 and 4 students (56.1% and 50.0%) as compared to years 1 and 2 (27.7% and 41.1%, p=0.028). Majority of the students (92%) have never taught any curriculum on TCA and they have no idea how to deal such patient. Majority of the students had responded positively for attitudes towards tobacco cessation but still they consume tobacco.
Conclusion: Lack of available curriculum and formal training becomes a hindrance in shifting positive attitude towards tobacco cessation Behaviour / Practise. The high prevalence indicates an urgent need for tobacco control initiatives.