Authors : Archana Rani, Praveen K Malik
DOI : 10.18231/j.ijca.2019.062
Volume : 6
Issue : 3
Year : 2019
Page No : 322-327
Introduction: The number of tobacco users in our country is frightening and hence forth every possible intervention shall be used to try controlling the demon of tobacco. Every visit to hospital either as outdoor or admission shall be treated as an opportunity for tobacco cessation. In our study, we have tried to assess the utility and effectiveness of counselling at the time of pre anaesthesia check-up in patients undergoing elective surgeries as a tool for tobacco cessation.
Materials and Methods: Two groups were made on the basis of whether intervention given in form of counselling at time of routine PAC for patients undergoing elective surgery. Both groups were assessed for various demographical characteristics, including nicotine dependence, quitting history. Group 1 was given a session of interactive counselling regarding ill effects of tobacco usage and provided access a helpline number of institutional tobacco cessation clinic. Six months after intervention and surgery, both groups were questioned about their smoking status and statistical methods were used to calculate the difference of outcomes, namely tobacco cessation and decrease in tobacco usage.
Result and Discussion: The current study brought forth the fact that smokers or SLT users who are motivated or volunteers to take participation in cessation programme are more likely to successfully abstain from smoking. Age, Gender and educational status are major determinants in outcome of any tobacco cessation programme. The timing of counselling also plays a vital role in success of any counselling session. Hence forth, it is highly advisable to use this golden opportunity for counselling and advising the patient to abstain from using tobacco in any form.
Keywords: Smoking, SLT, PAC.