Conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre el consumo de tabaco: sustancias irritantes y lesiones que ocasiona en la mucosa oral en los estudiantes de odontología de la Universidad Santo Tomás.

Abstract

Introduction: Smoking is a habit characterized by physical and psychological dependence on nicotine consumption, which is a substance with stimulating properties that induces pleasant effects. In addition, tobacco contains irritating substances that can generate negative effects on the oral mucosa, and that are not properly diagnosed. Objective: To identify the levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices about tobacco consumption, irritants and injuries caused in the oral mucosa in dentistry students at Santo Tomás University in 2024. Materials and methods: Observational, analytical cross-sectional study, with a sample corresponding to 162 students from the sixth to the tenth semester. Data was collected through a survey validated by experts. The level of knowledge about lesions in the oral mucosa caused by irritant substances present in tobacco was evaluated. Univariate analysis (absolute frequencies and percentages, median and RIC) and bivariate analysis (Fisher's exact test, Kruskal-Wallis test). Results: Participants had a median age of 22 years (RIC 21-24), the majority female that corresponded to 73.45%*, X from sixth to tenth. Results of knowledge. Conclusions: a relationship was presented between sociodemographic factors, and the frequency of consumption of nicotine products, knowledge about irritating substances and their injuries did not yield significant results, having a clear relationship prevents the understanding of how students do not have clarity about knowledge generating an inability to design effective interventions based on the findings.