Smoking Rationalisation, Tobacco Dependence and Intention to Quit among Indian Adults and Adolescents

Introduction: Unfortunately, indicators of tobacco dependence are present even after low levels of exposure in young smokers. Early emergence of these signal risk for subsequent chronic smoking and nicotine dependence is negatively associated with cessation in young adults. One important yet understudied modifiable predictor of intention to quit among smokers is smoking rationalization. Smokers often subscribe to smoking rationalisation beliefs, also known as self?exempting beliefs, to justify or rationalize their smoking behaviors. Smoking rationalizations can predict a lack of intention to quit. Objective: To assess the correlation between smoking rationalisation, tobacco dependence and intention to quit among Indian adults and adults. Methodology: A cross?sectional pilot study was carried out among 18–60?year?old subjects. Data were collected for tobacco dependence, smoking rationalisation and intention to quit (no/yes) by structured interview. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS statistics for windows, version 16 (IBM Corp, Armork, NY.) The independent t?test and one way ANOVA and binary logistic regression were performed for inferential statistics. Results: Smokers with no intention to quit and high tobacco dependence scores had significantly higher smoking rationalisation than those to quit and low dependence scores. Logistic regression models demonstrated that all types of rationalisation beliefs were consistently inversely associated with the intention to quit and low tobacco dependence. Conclusion: Findings suggest that smoking rationalisation plays an important role in the lack of intention to quit among Indian smokers. Future interventions should tackle smoking rationalisation beliefs as a strategy to promote smoking cessation.

Periodontal Health Status of Pregnant Women Attending Various Government Hospitals in Faridabad City, Haryana, India.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to find out the periodontal health status among pregnant women attending various government hospitals in Faridabad city. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross sectional single study carried on 800 pregnant women attending various government hospitals in Faridabad city, Haryana. The format consisted of a questionnaire to assess the demographic profile, type of diet, trimester, number of pregnancies, and medical complications if any, perceived oral health problems, oral hygiene attitudes, oral hygiene practices and visit to dentist. The type III clinical examination of all the subjects was done by a single examiner using Plane mouth mirrors and CPITN probe within the Gynaecology section of the hospitals. Periodontal health status was assessed by Community Periodontal index and Loss of attachment index. Results: Mean age of study participants was 24.53±4.23. More subjects were in third trimester (62.96%). A highest CPI score 2 was found among 53% subjects, where as score 3 was seen among 44.25% and score 4, among 2.75% subjects. Mean number of sextants recorded with CPI score of 2 were 4.06. 78.5% subjects used toothbrush and 81.25% toothpaste for oral hygiene maintenance. Conclusion: Overall prevalence of periodontitis was 47% and increased with poor oral hygiene practices, thus requiring the necessity of interventions and preventions.