Characterization of medical doctor's smoking habits in a central hospital

Abstract

Tobacco is responsible for several diseases, disability and death worldwide. The attitude of healthcare professionals towards smoking is a crucial part of any prevention and cessation programmes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate smoking habits among a Central Hospital doctors.

With collaboration of services directors a tobacco survey of voluntary and anonymous response was distribute to 423 doctors, spread over 26 specialities and we obtained 171 responses. The questions included smoking habits, attitudes towards smoking, knowledge of the 2008 country law and importance attribute to smoking cessation programme in Hospital.

Low response rate to the questionnaire, with higher number of responses from non-smokers. The percentage of smokers in this sample is lower than the national average. Smokers specialties with the highest prevalence were Internal Medicine and Psychiatry. The average beginning age was 19,7 years and the social life the main reason for initiation. Of those who tried to quit smoking (56%) only 8% had medical help. We used the nicotine dependency test (Fargeström) to assess the degree of nicotine dependency among smokers and occasional smokers. Most had low degree of dependence (64%). All considered important smoking cessation hospital programme but only 44 % want to attend it.

As we all know, personal and social deep changes are needed if tobacco eradication is to be achieved, beginning with health professional's attitude towards the problem.