PREDICTORS OF INTENTION TO QUIT TOBACCO AND BARRIERS TO QUIT TOBACCO IN ADULTS AMONG RESIDENTS OF RAIPUR CITY, CHHATTISGARH

Background: Tobacco claims the lives of half of its users who fail to quit. Tobacco usage in any form leads to the death and illness of millions annually. The tobacco epidemic represents one of the most significant public health challenges. Aims/Objectives: To assess the predictors of intention to quit tobacco and barriers to quit tobacco in adults among residents of Raipur city, Chhattisgarh. Methodology:Cross-sectional, community-based observational study.Pre-designed, pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire of socio-demographic information and the use of any kind of tobacco, quitting attempts was put to each subject to assess their intention to quit, barriers to quit, smoking practices, smoking history, knowledge about smoking-related damage and perceived health status.

Results: Among the 410 study participants, a majority (224 or 54.6%) reported having the intention to quit tobacco use. 45.4% (186) were identified as having barriers preventing them from quitting tobacco. Conclusions: The prevalence of the intention to quit tobacco among study participants is high, similar to national levels, with significant barriers to quitting. Family pressure and improve in own health was strong predictors of intention to quit tobacco.