Prevalence of Tobacco use Among the Students in Professional and Non-Professional Colleges of Mathura City

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction Tobacco in general is used as smoking and smokeless tobacco forms. These tobacco products are the global public health hazard for the health in general and oral health in particular. Aim To find the prevalence of tobacco use among the professional and non-professional college students of Mathura city. Material and Methods A cross sectional study carried out in Mathura city to assess the prevalence of tobacco use among the college students in the age group of 15 to 30 years (N= 1478). Students were grouped as professional (N=500) and non professional (N= 978). Structured pretested proforma was used to assess the prevalence of tobacco use. The data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using Chi-Square test, ANOVA and PostHoc Tukey test (p ≤ 0.05). Results The subjects found to consume tobacco were 40%,whereas 60% were non-users. Conclusion It was concluded that tobacco use was higher among males as compared to females. The college years are a crucial period in the development or abandonment of adverse habits like tobacco use. Tobacco use in this group should be monitored closely, and young adults should be included in all tobacco control efforts.