Introduction: There are numerous key predictors of smoking cessation and maintenance such as Nicotine dependence, smoking outcome expectancies, smoking risk perceptions, self-efficacy to quit smoking and intentions to quit/reduce smoking. Along with these factors health literacy is one factor that might be negatively associated with cessation outcomes.
Aim: To assess nicotine dependence, predictors of smoking cessation and health literacy level among smokers and to determine associations between health literacy and established predictors.
Key words:
Nicotine dependency, Smoking cessation predictors, Health literacy
Methods and Material: A cross sectional study was conducted among 100 smokers visiting to the Dental Out Patient Department of The Oxford Dental College, Bangalore. Participant’s demographic details were recorded and a validated questionnaire was administered assessing their nicotine dependence, smoking outcome expectancies, risk perception, self-efficacy and intentions to change behaviour. Participant’s health literacy level was assessed using Rapid Estimate of Adult literacy in medicine. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS software version 22. Mann Whitney / Chi Square test and Adjusted Hierarchical Multiple Regression analysis was done to determine association between health literacy and smoking cessation predictors.
Results: Among 100 smokers, 49 belonged to high health literacy and 51 belonged to low health literacy groups. The highest mean nicotine dependency was among low health literacy group (2.3±0.5) and the p-value was significant (0.04). Participants with lower health literacy had more positive and less negative outcome expectancies when compared to individuals with higher health literacy. There was no significant association between health literacy and smoking cessation predictors.
Conclusion: Hence, health literacy might not be an independent risk factor for poor cessation outcomes.
