Academic stress and tobacco abuse among the clinical dental students in chennai city.

Abstract

Background:Academic performance of the students is highly affected by internal and external factors. The performance of the students play an important role in producing quality graduates. One of the major risk factors for many health related problems has been caused by using tobacco. Tobacco can be consumed in smoked as well as smokeless form. Therefore the aim of the study is to investigate the academic stress and tobacco abuse among the dental students in Chennai city.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:This study was an online questionnaire survey among dental students in Chennai city. This study was conducted in February 2021. There were 95 participants in this survey. The data was analysed statistically using SPSS software version 23. The chi square test between gender was done and represented in a bar graph. (P<0.05 is statistically significant).

RESULTS: A total of 95 dental students  participated in this study. In this study there were 51.6%  females and  48.4% males. Only 6.3% of students used tobacco and 93.7% of students didn’t use tobacco. 21-25 age group students use tobacco more than 15 -20 age group students. Pearson chi square test showed that p value is 0.56 ( p> 0.05) and hence it is statistically not significant statistically.

CONCLUSION:The  increased frequency of using tobacco in any form among dental students is of great concern. Tobacco cessation programs frequently conducted in the dental Colleges to bring more awareness among the students about the smoking habits and strict rules and regulations would be done to prohibit tobacco use.