TOBACCO USE BY FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS OF TOBACCO USERS: RESULT FROM CLIENTS ATTENDING TOBACCO CESSATION CLINIC AT URBAN PRIMARY HEALTHCARE SET UP IN MALDIVES

Objective: This study aimed to identify tobacco use among family members and friends of tobacco user who attended tobacco cessation clinic at an Urban Primary Healthcare set up in Male’, Maldives, starting from 2017 through 2023. Methods: A retrospective, quantitative, descriptive survey was employed utilizing secondary data extracted from tobacco cessation assessment forms at the Urban Primary Healthcare set up’s tobacco cessation clinic. The study utilized a census sampling approach, encompassing all available tobacco cessation forms, resulting in a total sample size of 544 participants. The primary researcher developed a data transfer sheet based on a review of the assessment forms, facilitating the systematic transfer of required data. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 21.0 to summarize and interpret the collected data. Results: Out of 544 tobacco users, 494 (90.8%) were male and 50 (9.2%) were female. Majority of the tobacco users reported that their friends and family members use tobacco. Huge amount of tobacco users reported tobacco use by nuclear family members while less than a quarter reported tobacco use among extended family members. Majority of tobacco users reported their coworkers or someone who lives together are non-tobacco users and majority of their class mates or best friends are tobacco users. Conclusion: The study concluded that majority of tobacco users reported about tobacco use among family members and friends This could be influencing factor for the tobacco users to continue tobacco use as tobacco use among parents or family member and friends has negative effects on tobacco users.