Knowledge, Attitude, and Barriers toward Smoking Cessation Counseling: A Cross-Sectional Study among Clinical Dental Students in Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The World Health Organization has promoted the integration of smoking cessation programs into normal dental treatment since they have significant positive effects on oral health. However, there are stillmany barriers including a lack of knowledge about the smoking cessation counseling (SCC). The high incidence of smoking is an important health challenge in Indonesia. This study determined the relationships between sociodemographic factors and knowledge about the effects of smoking on oral health, as well as knowledge of, attitudes about, and barriers to SCC among clinical dental students in Indonesia. Materials and Methods This was a cross-sectional study utilizing a questionnaire involving clinical dental students throughout Indonesia. Clinical dental students from 32 dental schools in Indonesia were invited to participate in the study. Twenty-seven dental schools agreed to participate in the study and the estimated sample size was 416 participants. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data, smoking status, knowledge about the effects of smoking on oral health, and knowledge of, attitudes about, and barriers to SCC. Statistical Analysis Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to determine differences in knowledge about the effects of smoking on oral health and the knowledge of, attitudes about, and barriers to SCC among clinical dental students' sociodemographic factors and smoking status. The Spearman's correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation between knowledge of, attitudes about, and barriers to SCC. Results A total of 614 students participated in the study. Significant differences were found in students' knowledge regarding the effects of smoking based on smoking status, SCC based on educational stages, attitudes based on sex and smoking status, and barriers based on sex (p < 0.05). Significant relationships were found between students' knowledge of the effects of smoking and of SCC (r = 0.226), knowledge of the effects of smoking and attitudes about SCC (r = 0.110), knowledge of and attitudes about SCC (r = 0.162), knowledge of and barriers to SCC (r = –0.17), as well as attitudes about and barriers to SCC (i = –0.224). Conclusion Clinical dental students' knowledge regarding SCC are lacking, but they have positive attitude regarding SCC. It is necessary to improve education quality in every dental educational institution related to SCC.