Counseling for change: Unraveling quit rates among tobacco users in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, India.

BACKGROUND

The study focuses on the impact of intensive counseling on tobacco cessation rates, aiming to combat the significant global health issue of tobacco-related deaths. Tailored counseling sessions targeted current tobacco users to increase quit rates and mitigate associated health risks.

METHODOLOGY

The study was conducted in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat from March 2020 to November 2021, and the study engaged 300 participants from health centers. Ethical practices were ensured, with verbal consent obtained and Institutional Ethical Clearance acquired. Interviews and focused group discussions (FGDs) were employed, utilizing the Fagerström Test to assess tobacco addiction severity and explore cessation. Participants aged 18 years and above attending health facilities were included. Data reliability was enhanced through manual checks and Excel coding. Statistical analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and visual presentation in Excel were conducted to strengthen findings.

RESULTS

Among 106 current tobacco users assessed using the Fagerström Test, 53.78% fell in the 3-4 scale category, while 29.25% were in the 0-2 scale category. The quit rate reached 34.28% after the final FGD.

CONCLUSION

The study reveals a heightened tobacco prevalence in the Saurashtra region and varying usage patterns across age groups. The quit rate exhibited fluctuations throughout the FGDs, initially increasing after the second FGD but later decreasing, settling at 34.28% in the final assessment. These findings offer insights for tobacco cessation and public health strategies in the region.