Impact of a counselling and health infographic based intervention on tobacco cessation among women of reproductive age in an urban slum setting in India
1
Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
tobacco use among women of reproductive age living in urban slums is an under recognized public health concern in India with implications for reproductive health and household economic stability. smokeless tobacco use is common and often perceived as less harmful. limited access to cessation services and low health literacy contribute to continued use, highlighting the need for feasible behavior change interventions in urban primary care settings.
METHODS:
a quasi experimental pre–post intervention study was conducted among women aged 18–49 years attending a public health dispensary serving an urban slum in Chandigarh, India. women who screened positive for current tobacco use on the WHO ASSIST tool were enrolled consecutively. the intervention included two individual counselling sessions supported by health infographics and short educational videos, with interim telephonic reinforcement. outcomes assessed at baseline and post intervention included tobacco use status, quantity of use, nicotine dependence, readiness to change stages, quit attempts, and tobacco related expenditure. randomization was not feasible due to the service based community setting; therefore, participants served as their own controls.
RESULTS:
a total of 132 women were enrolled at baseline, of whom 127 completed post intervention assessment. following the intervention, readiness to change shifted with a reduction in pre contemplation and an increase in contemplation and preparation stages. participants demonstrated reduced tobacco consumption and nicotine dependence scores, along with increased quit attempts and a downward shift in tobacco related expenditure. these findings indicate early behavioral transition rather than complete cessation over the short follow up period. the intervention was feasible and well accepted.
CONCLUSIONS:
a counselling and health infographic based intervention demonstrated potential to influence tobacco related behaviors, motivation, quit attempts, and household expenditure among women of reproductive age in an urban slum setting. such approaches may be feasible for strengthening community based tobacco cessation efforts.
tobacco use among women of reproductive age living in urban slums is an under recognized public health concern in India with implications for reproductive health and household economic stability. smokeless tobacco use is common and often perceived as less harmful. limited access to cessation services and low health literacy contribute to continued use, highlighting the need for feasible behavior change interventions in urban primary care settings.
METHODS:
a quasi experimental pre–post intervention study was conducted among women aged 18–49 years attending a public health dispensary serving an urban slum in Chandigarh, India. women who screened positive for current tobacco use on the WHO ASSIST tool were enrolled consecutively. the intervention included two individual counselling sessions supported by health infographics and short educational videos, with interim telephonic reinforcement. outcomes assessed at baseline and post intervention included tobacco use status, quantity of use, nicotine dependence, readiness to change stages, quit attempts, and tobacco related expenditure. randomization was not feasible due to the service based community setting; therefore, participants served as their own controls.
RESULTS:
a total of 132 women were enrolled at baseline, of whom 127 completed post intervention assessment. following the intervention, readiness to change shifted with a reduction in pre contemplation and an increase in contemplation and preparation stages. participants demonstrated reduced tobacco consumption and nicotine dependence scores, along with increased quit attempts and a downward shift in tobacco related expenditure. these findings indicate early behavioral transition rather than complete cessation over the short follow up period. the intervention was feasible and well accepted.
CONCLUSIONS:
a counselling and health infographic based intervention demonstrated potential to influence tobacco related behaviors, motivation, quit attempts, and household expenditure among women of reproductive age in an urban slum setting. such approaches may be feasible for strengthening community based tobacco cessation efforts.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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