‘Health Deptt devises 5As, 5Rs models to treat tobacco dependence’

Srinagar, Oct 18: The Health Department has devised 5As and 5Rs models for treatment of tobacco use and dependence, with Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) set to establish motivational counselling centers across Kashmir division within a month’s time.
In this regard, the Director Health Services Kashmir Dr Mushtaq Ahmad has asked for speeding up the process of counselling centers and reach-out to people.
“Everything can’t be done over phone. We need to meet people in person and counsel them so they are motivated enough to quit smoking,” Dr Mushtaq said.
Nodal officer NMHP at DHSK Dr Majid Shafi told Rising Kashmir that the 5As , which means ASK (about tobacco use), ADVISE (tobacco users to quit), ASSESS (readiness to quit), ASSIST (with the quit attempt), ARRANGE (follow up care) is a model adopted for treatment of tobacco and dependence.
According to Dr Shafi, the department is working on it and it will be rolled out soon.
The doctor expects the other fellow medicos across the valley to lead by example, adding, the department is ready to provide any kind of help or assistance to the doctors.
Once the 5As model is applied, the 5Rs model will help to enhance motivation to quit tobacco use, he said.
The content areas that should be addressed in a motivational counselling intervention can be captured by the 5 Rs model, reads the document reviewed by Rising Kashmir.
“5Rs are RELEVANCE, RISKS, REWARDS, ROADBLOCKS, REPETITION. It will enhance future quit attempts,” Dr Shafi added.
According to a survey carried out by DHSK, 70 percent of adult tobacco users report that they want to quit each year, but only 4-7 percent of tobacco users who attempt to quit are successful.