Anjum A K Sayyed

Abstract

Background: Tobacco has been a prevalent cause of disease burden over India since decades. Gap in awareness among the population leads to use of tobacco, causing a number of deaths across India. Objectives: The study aimed at assessing prevalence, attitude, knowledge gap harbouring in the urban population of Maharashtra. Effect of mass media was gauged along with the ability of people to avoid their addiction. Materials and Methods: A quantitative, online Google form based Questionnaire survey was conducted in a convenient sample of urban population across Maharashtra. 344 people participated following, the data was analysed using Microsoft Excel. Results: 29.1% (n=100) of the urban population were Tobacco users, most of which having Undergraduate/Postgraduate Educational qualification. 25% (n=61) of Non users didn’t know about the tobacco content in various products. Majority of Tobacco users were aware of the risk of Tobacco use causing heart attacks and also hold an opinion that smoking should be banned in public places. 38% (n=91) Tobacco users felt that there was a lack of impact of Tobacco use on social behaviour. People with different education levels consumed cigarettes/bidis the most. Conclusion: Higher educated class was found to have a higher conscious decision in Tobacco Usage. The need for Mass media enhancement was felt due to low impact on quitting behaviour. Tobacco was found to have a low impact on socializing, and it's true effects can be studied in future. Keywords: Awareness, Education, Maharashtra, Middle-class, Smoking, Tobacco Non-users, Tobacco users.

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Abstract

Background: In India, many lives that could easily be saved are lost due to a paucity of donated organs. This trend could easily be reversed by educating the general public. Religious beliefs and religious leaders play an important role in the society. With a concept to educate the religious leaders, to strengthen the message of increased organ donation, a study was conceptualized to test the efficacy of such an intervention. To study religious beliefs and organ donation among the heterogenous population of Maval Taluka. A cross-sectional study carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, MIMER Medical College, Talegaon Dabhade, Pune. Materials and Methods: An educational interventional study was carried out on four basic major religious groups namely Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian. Data was collected from 328 participants by visiting respective religious places. A ten-item self-structured validated questionnaire was designed to assess the knowledge and beliefs regarding organ donation. Pre-test was carried out to assess the basic knowledge on organ donation. Educational intervention regarding the benefits of organ-donation was done, followed by a post-test. Statistical Analysis: The data was statistically analysed by ANOVA in SPSS software. Results: The overall awareness on organ donation was increased by 22% after the planned educational intervention. Conclusion: These results of the study showed a high degree of acceptance amongst all the groups & willingness for organ donation. Hence, such awareness programmes should be conducted at regular intervals on a large scale so that the problem of shortage of donated organs can be minimized. Keywords: Organ donation, Religious beliefs, Awareness, Religious views, Educational intervention.

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