BACKGROUND: Identify tobacco use pattern and nicotine dependence is required to assist tobacco user in quitting. This study aimed to identify the demographic profiles, tobacco usage practices, nicotine dependence and follow up status of tobacco users attended to the tobacco cessation clinic at an Urban Primary Healthcare Center (Dhamanaveshi) in Malé, Maldives, spanning from 2017 through 2023.
METHODS: A retrospective, quantitative, descriptive survey was undertaken utilizing secondary data of tobacco cessation clinic in Maldives. The study employed a census sampling approach, resulting in a total sample size of 544 participants. The primary researcher developed a data transfer sheet based on a review of the assessment forms, facilitating the systematic transfer of required data. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 21.0 to summarize and interpret the collected data.
RESULTS: Out of 544 tobacco users, majority were male, married, employed, and most did not take any medication or have allergies. Most of the tobacco users started using tobacco before 18 years, used it for at least 10 years, most of them were smokers who exclusively used camel brand cigarettes and smoked more than 10 cigarettes daily or used tobacco more than 10 times daily. Less than half of the tobacco users had moderate nicotine dependence, majority used tobacco within half an hour of wake up, most of them did not use more tobacco during first hours of the day and majority used tobacco during their illness. Among 544 tobacco users, 90.8% were male, and Around 52.4% of tobacco users had no single follow up visit. About 30% of follow ups were via phone, and 17.6% were physical visits. Less than a quarter of users quit, and a smaller number relapsed.
CONCLUSIONS: It is crucial to enhance public awareness about the risks of tobacco use and train healthcare providers to assist smokers in quitting