Tobacco use among health care workers of tertiary care center of Faridabad, Haryana, India

Background: Associated health risks and increasing mortality with tobacco consumption has been increasing. If people involved in health care of the community practice the same it may further increase the magnitude of problem. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and reasons of tobacco consumption among health care workers (housekeeping staff and nursing orderlies) of a tertiary care center in Haryana, India. Methods: It was a fully mixed concurrent dominant status design with dominant quantitative part where cross sectional design was used. The qualitative component used phenomenology. All the housekeeping staff and nursing orderlies working (306 total) at a tertiary care center, Faridabad were recruited in the study. In depth interview was conducted on twenty workers (12 housekeeping staff and 8 nursing). Results: Overall prevalence of tobacco consumption was 43.4%. Among tobacco users, smokeless tobacco was used by more than half of housekeeping staff (53.2%). Nursing orderly preferred smoked form i.e. cigarette (41%). Participants discussed social and cultural conditions in Haryana under which smoking hookah are practiced and maintained. Smoking as a means of socializing and relaxation were consistently discussed as the main reasons for continued use in everyday lives. Working condition was a compelling factor for housekeeping staff leading to its continuous use to carry on the current job. Conclusion: Tobacco consumption among health workers is higher as compared to general population. Appreciating their diverse representations their attitudes towards health and anti-tobacco measures; would increase acceptance of policies and probability that can lead to positive outcomes.