Community Based Intervention for Tobacco Cessation: A Pilot Study Experience, North East India

Background: North East India has a high prevalence of tobacco consumption, but only few individualsseekhelp for tobacco cessation. Impact of community based tobacco cessation intervention in this part needs moreresearch. Materials and
Methods: Retrospective analysis was done on the dataset from a community-basedtobacco cessation intervention pilot project conducted in Guwahati metro during 2009-10. Subjects, both maleand female tobacco users, age > 15 years, permanent residents of these blocks giving consent were included inthe study.
Results: The sample was 800 tobacco users, of whom 25% visited any health care provider duringlast 12 months and 3% received tobacco cessation advice. An 18% quit rate was observed at six weeks followup, more than the National average, with a 47% quit rate at eight months, while 52% of subjects reduced use.
Conclusions: Higher tobacco quit rate and reduced tobacco use, no loss to follow up and negligible relapsewas observed with this community based intervention design. Such designs should be given more emphasisfor implementation in specified communities with very high tobacco consumption rates, cultural acceptance oftobacco and less motivation towards quitting.