Effectiveness of Health Belief Model in Motivating for Tobacco Cessation and to Improving Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior of Tobacco Users

There is an alarming increase in tobacco use in younger generation & it is responsible for 90% of oral cancers. A quasi-experimental study was conducted in dental health care settings to assess the effectiveness of health education in improving knowledge, attitude and behaviors of current tobacco users, towards tobacco use, among the patients visiting dental health settings. Study comprised of 20-35 years 88 current tobacco users. Health education was based on the Health Belief Model (HBM). Questionnaire was used to assess knowledge, attitude, and behavior of subjects. Leaflet and video were prepared for aid in health education Descriptive analysis, Paired t-test, Stratified analysis, Pearson Correlation analysis were employed. Improvement in decision to enl in to the tobacco cessation program was 33.7%. There was a statistical significant improvement in knowledge and attitude, of all subjects, in behavior domain significant improvement seen in subjects aged between 20-25 years, literate, smokers, and those utilizing dental health care services more than once in a year. Results of this study concluded that health education based on HBM was effective in motivating to enroll in to tobacco cessation program and improving knowledge and attitude of the tobacco users towards tobacco use and in improving behaviors of younger subjects, literates, smokers and subjects utilizing the dental health services more than once in year.