ANNOUNCEMENTS
Smokeless Tobacco (SLT) is used widely in South Asian countries and especially by the pregnant and lactating women. SLT/Areca nut is known for its increasing threat of cancer and causes adverse effects in pregnant and lactating women, thus getting manifested to both cancer risk and perinatal and other reproductive health problems. The frontline healthcare workers (FHWs) and community stakeholders play a very important role in SLT/Areca nut cessation among women of reproductive age and quitting its use would result in long term health benefits. The 5A and 5R model offers the best possible and comprehensive approach that had been used by the healthcare workers in the study in aiding the women to quit the consumption of SLT/Areca nut usage. The study aimed to assess the knowledge and perspectives of the FHWs and community stakeholders on the usage of SLT/Areca nut and to study their role in providing the cessation aid to pregnant and lactating women in order to quit SLT/Areca nut. The study was conducted in Gautam Buddha Nagar district, NOIDA by using a mixed method approach. The data was collected by using a semi-structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews were held. The data was analyzed by using the NVivo software. The 5A model was implemented in a much more effective way than the 5R model and the FHWs and community stakeholders were found having a good knowledge about the consumption of SLT/Areca nut by the pregnant and lactating women. The present study concludes that tobacco cessation programmes must be more strengthened along with proper counselling sessions and regular field visits by the frontline healthcare workers and community stakeholders. The healthcare workers should be provided proper training for the effective implementation of the interventions.
Keywords: Smokeless, tobacco, pregnant, women, cessation.
