Impact of pictorial warning labels on tobacco products among patients attending outpatient department of a dental college in Bangalore city: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and impact of pictorial warnings present on tobacco packets among patients attending outpatient department of a dental college of Bangalore city.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 419 patients through convenience sampling, using a structured close-ended questionnaire containing 35 questions. The participants were approached and invited to participate voluntarily. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and ANOVA.

Results: Mean age of the participants was 28.1 ± 7.06 years. Out of total 419 participants, 62.8% were tobacco users. About 40.6% of the participants had average knowledge and only 22.9% had positive attitude regarding the pictorial warnings. Nearly 77.9% of tobacco users had previously attempted decreased frequency of tobacco use and 63.7% had tried quitting the habit. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05 Chi-square test and ANOVA).

Conclusion: The present study revealed that most of study participants have noticed the warnings on tobacco products, and most of them believe that they could understand warning labels. This study also showed that most of study participants believed that pictorial health warnings create awareness about probable health hazards of tobacco use and that these pictorial presentations on tobacco packs positively assist in reducing or quitting tobacco smoking.

Keywords: Attitude; impact; knowledge; pictorial warning labels; tobacco.