EFFECTIVENESS OF STRUCTURED HEALTH TEACHING PROGRAM ON PREVENTION OF ORAL HEALTH HAZARDS AMONG TOBACCO-CONSUMING ADULTS

Background: Tobacco use contributes significantly to oral health problems including gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer. Despite growing awareness, knowledge regarding preventive measures remains inadequate among tobacco users, particularly in semi-urban areas. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a structured health teaching program on knowledge regarding prevention of oral health hazards among tobacco-consuming adults. Methods: A pre-experimental one-group pre-test post-test design was employed among 100 tobacco-consuming adults selected through convenience sampling from Udaipur City, Rajasthan. A validated structured knowledge questionnaire consisting of 30 items was administered before and after a structured health teaching intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and chi-square test. Results: Pre-intervention, 73% of participants demonstrated inadequate knowledge, while post-intervention, none remained in this category—64% achieved moderate and 36% achieved adequate knowledge levels. The paired t-test revealed a statistically significant improvement (t=19.20, p<0.05), with mean scores increasing from 11.11 (37.03%) to 21.75 (72.50%). The highest knowledge gain was observed in awareness regarding tobacco forms (43.20%). Significant associations were found between pre-test knowledge and gender (χ²=26.80), education (χ²=21.92), income (χ²=28.56), and tobacco use patterns. Conclusion: The structured health teaching program significantly improved knowledge regarding oral health hazard prevention among tobacco-consuming adults. Tailored educational interventions considering demographic and tobacco use characteristics are essential for effective health promotion in this population.