A Descriptive Study to Assess Knowledge regarding Tobacco use and its Ill Effects on the Health among Adolescents Residing in Loni (BK)

Background: Tobacco consumption is a global problem. It is the single most preventable cause for adult death and disease in the world today. It is estimated that one in three people use tobacco products, with over one million people use tobacco and its products world-wide. Nearly four million of the world population would have been saved from the clutches of death due to tobacco addiction. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance and adult people experimentation can easily lead to a life time of tobacco dependence. The adolescent’s tobacco consumption has been found to be major contributors of specially adolescents have habit of tobacco consumption. Tobacco is used in a wide variety of ways in India including smoking and smokeless use. Objectives: 1) To assess knowledge regarding tobacco use and its ill effects on health among adolescents. 2) To find out association between knowledge score of tobacco and its ill effects on health with their selected demographic variables. Material and Methods: A descriptive study with quantitative approach was undertaken in Loni bk village. A total of 50 adolescents were selected with the help of non-probability purposive sampling to assess knowledge regarding tobacco use and its ill effects among them. A nurse investigator conducted a structured interview for 20 minutes to collect data. The data was analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics wherever required. Results: The study results showed that, regarding YES response percentage, highest percentage (94%) was for the question do you know how to use bidi, paan, cigarette? And the lowest percentage (26%) was for the question do you know using tobacco is against the law? The study results showed that, regarding NO response percentage, highest percentage (74%) was for the question do you know using tobacco is against the law? And the lowest percentage (06%) was for the question do you know how to use bidi, paan, cigarette? Conclusion: Chi square values were calculated to find out the association between the study findings and demographic variables of respondents. Findings reveals that there was significant association between study findings and demographic variable like income.