Investigator(s)
| Submitter |
Sonam Yoezer Dechencholing Hospital under JDWNRH Internship with KGUMSB Sonam Yoezer 
|
| Principal Investigator |
Sonam Yoezer Dechencholing Hospital under JDWNRH Internship with KGUMSB Sonam Yoezer
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Dawa Gyeltshen Department of Medicine Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan Dawa Gyeltshen
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Bikram Chhetri Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan Bikram Chhetri
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Saran Tenzin Tamang Division of Medicine, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, Australia Saran Tenzin Tamang
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Zimba Lethro Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences, Thimphu, Bhutan Zimba Lethro
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Samten Wangchuk Noble’s Hospital, Isle of Mann Samten Wangchuk
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Ugyen Chophel Department of General medicine, Wangdue Hospital, Wangdue Phodrang, Bhutan. Ugyen Chophel
|
Title(s) and abstract
| Scientific title | Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Tobacco Cessation among Prescribers in Bhutan: a cross-sectional study |
| Public title | Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Tobacco Cessation among Prescribers in Bhutan |
| Background | There are 8 million deaths from tobacco use annually, despite the reducing trend of tobacco use in High income countries over the last few decades. There is still a significant burden of tobacco in the Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC). Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs) have been shown to significantly help in long term and permanent tobacco smoking cessation. Therefore, understanding the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of NRT among prescribers responsible in prescribing NRT is very crucial |
| Objectives | Among the medical prescribers, who are actively working across various healthcare facility in Bhutan from May to July 2026, to describe the: 1. Level of knowledge Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Tobacco Cessation in Bhutan 2. Attitudes towards the Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Tobacco Cessation in Bhutan 3. Practices related to the Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Tobacco Cessation in Bhutan 4. Factors associated with knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Tobacco Cessation in Bhutan |
| Study Methods | The research methodology employs a cross-sectional study design to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of 1,006 health prescribers in Bhutan regarding Nicotine Replacement Therapy. Utilizing a stratified random sampling method to ensure national representativeness across all health tiers, a sample size of 307 participants was calculated using OpenEpi, accounting for a 10% dropout rate. Data collection will occur over three months between May and July 2026 via an online-administered survey on the REDCap platform. The survey instrument, developed through extensive literature review and validated by five experts with a Content Validity Index of 95.2%, will be pilot-tested among nurses to ensure linguistic and cultural clarity. Ethical safeguards include mandatory electronic informed consent and the subsequent deletion of identifying information, such as Citizenship Identity Card numbers, from the final dataset to maintain participant anonymity. Quantitative data analysis will be performed using STATA version 18.0, with socio-demographic profiles described through frequencies, proportions, and means. Knowledge and attitude levels are strictly categorized, with "good" performance requiring a threshold of at least 80%. Inferential statistics will utilize Chi-Square tests to examine associations between categorical variables, while Pearson or Spearman correlations will relate continuous variables, such as years of practice, to knowledge scores. To identify significant predictors of "good" knowledge, a log-binomial regression model will be employed to calculate odds ratios. Factors demonstrating a p-value of less than 0.1 in unadjusted analysis will be integrated into a final adjusted model, where a p-value of less than 0.05 will be the definitive threshold for statistical significance. |
| Expected outcomes and use of results | The results of this study will be disseminated to health care providers, policy decision makers and doctors in Bhutan. The results will also be presented at national and international conferences and submitted for publication in a peer reviewed journal. We hope this research can help us guide future trainings and workshops. |
| Keywords | Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), prescribers, tobacco use cessation, health care worker |
Research Details
| Student research | No |
| Start Date | 20-Mar-2026 |
| End Date | 21-Mar-2027 |
| Key Implementing Institution | Ministry of Health |
| Multi-country research | No |
| Nationwide research | Yes |
| Research Domain(s) | Non-communicable diseases & Healthy Lifestyles |
| Research field(s) | Other (Tobacco cessation) |
| Involves human subjects | Yes |
| Population-Based Survey | |
| Data Collection | Primary data |
| Proposal reviewed by other Committee | No |