University curriculum and perceived tobacco control policies amongst staff and students of university college of dentistry, Lahore

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate the university curriculum and perceived tobacco control policies amongst staff and students of University College of Dentistry, Lahore, Pakistan. A modified self reported validated standardized global youth tobacco survey [GYTS] was used amongst two hundred and fifty five staff members and students of faculty of dentistry, the university of Lahore, Pakistan. Of all the participants 59.3% demonstrated below median level of activity in any tobacco related teaching or learning in last one year. Staff [68.7%] members were significantly less likely to have been participated in tobacco related activities over the last one year compared to students [54.7%] p=<0.05. Only 12.3% of all the participants perceived that their institute had all three tobacco control policies [i.e. a policy preventing students to use tobacco in campus, a policy preventing University personnel from using tobacco in campus and / or a policy declaring the campus [Tobacco Free]] out of which at least one was enforced in the campus. Males [19.6%] perceived that their institute was 'Tobacco free'and prevents students and university personnel from in campus tobacco use compared to females [6.4%] p=<0.05. University staff was 2.42 [95% Confidence Interval= 1.05-5.57] times significantly more likely to perceive that their institute had all three tobacco control policies compared to students p=<0.05. The results of the study emphasize the need to amend the curriculum at health care institution / university level towards tobacco control. Stricter policies and better implementation is necessary to meet the international tobacco free campus initiative