Perceived Risk of Tobacco Use in COVID-19 Disease Causation and Severity among Healthcare Professionals: A Pan India Online Survey

Bijaya Nanda  Naik; Chandramani  Singh; Bijit  Biswas; Sanjay  Pandey; Santosh Kumar  Nirala; Neha  Chaudhary

doi:10.5455/njcm.20210607111817

Authors

Bijaya Nanda Naik All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India
Chandramani Singh All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India
Bijit Biswas All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India
Sanjay Pandey All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India
Santosh Kumar Nirala All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India
Neha Chaudhary All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5455/njcm.20210607111817

Keywords:

COVID-19, Health Personnel, Tobacco, Risk, Perception

Abstract

Background: Risk perception for a disease significantly influence practice related to it. The study examined the perceived risk of tobacco use in COVID-19 disease causation and severity among healthcare professionals (HCPs) of India.

Methods: We carried out this explorative cross-sectional online survey among 687 HCPs across India during December 2020 using a self-administered, structured ‘google form’ (an online data collection tool). The data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).

Results: Educational stream (Dental) [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 3.25] [Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH)] [AOR: 3.00], marital status (currently married and staying with spouse) [AOR: 0.43], perception of tobacco form that increases risk (only smoking) [AOR: 11.64] (both smoking and smokeless) [AOR: 22.25] and current tobacco user [AOR: 1.59] were significant multivariable attributes of perception of tobacco use as risk factor for COVID-19 disease causation (63.0%). Marital status (currently married and staying with spouse) [AOR: 0.50 and perception of tobacco form that increases risk (only smoking) [AOR: 12.93] (both smoking and smokeless) [AOR: 27.78] were identified as independent multivariable attributes of perceived risk for COVID-19 disease severity (77.9%). Perceived risk of tobacco use in COVID-19 disease causation and severity were significantly associated with their tobacco cessation advice-giving behaviour to patients (73.9%) and family members (66.7%).

Conclusion: Three in every five HCPs perceived that tobacco increases risk of COVID-19. Sensitization workshops on several aspects of tobacco control need to be organized for HCPs.

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