Tobacco Use Among Long Route Bus Drivers and Staffs of Dharan Eastern Nepal a KAP Study

Abstract

Tobacco use remains a major cause of preventable deaths worldwide. WHO estimated that about 25% of Nepalese population smokes. In Nepal it is widely believed that tobacco use among bus drivers and staffs is very high. This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in Dharan bus station among 300 bus drivers and staffs who voluntarily responded with self-administered questionnaire to estimate the prevalence of tobacco consumption and to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice regarding tobacco use. Prevalence of tobacco consumption among the respondents was 96.3%. Tobacco initiation at the age <18 years was 52%. ‘Peer pressure’ and ‘Influenced by family member(s)’ were the reasons for initiation while ‘Like the intoxicated feeling’ (67.5%) and ‘Feeling Mature’ for continued use. Respondents (97%) claimed they knew about the injurious effect of tobacco use, diseases cited being respiratory, cancer and cardiac, but only 48.9% knew this before initiating its use. A 75.8% of tobacco consumers had tried to quit it due to ‘Health issue’ (65.3%) followed by ‘Pressure from family member/s’ and ‘Economic burden’. Only about 20% were successful in quitting. The main reason for failure was feeling of addiction (69.7%). Among current tobacco users, 95% would like to seek medical help in quitting, if available. Our study concluded that the prevalence of tobacco consumption among bus drivers and staffs was very high. More than half started its use at age <18 years without prior knowledge of harmful effects of tobacco use. Majority would like to seek medical help as they have failed quitting it due to feeling of addiction. Targeted programs such as nicotine replacement clinics would be highly effective for them with desire to quit tobacco use with medical help.