Abstract
Tobacco use remains a major public health, especially in Low and Middle Income (LMIC) where 80% of all smokers are living. Healthcare Workers are strong element in helping smokers to quit and have a major role in Tobacco control.
Objective: Describe the perceptions of Healthcare Workers about tobacco use and cessation help in a Tunisian hospital
Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in the Abderrahmane Mami hospital from October 2021 to February 2022. The investigation tool was an anonymously and distributed questionnaire. It contained 49 questions. Statistics were conducted through R software. Oral consents were taken from all participants.
Results: The total of the participants was 341 healthcare workers. Sex ratio (M/F) was 0.33. Mean age was 37 years old +/− 11. Forty-two percent were working in medical departments. Doctors and pharmacists constituted 29% of the population. Seventy-one percent were totally agreed that it’s a doctor responsibility to advise smokers to quit. Seventy-six percent agreed totally that doctors should give the example not to smoke. Forty (39%) percent said that they have a sufficient knowledge to advise people to stop smoking. Two-third (66%) though that price of cigarettes should be increased. Eighty percent (82%) agreed totally that healthcare workers should get specific training on cessation techniques to provide professional help for smokers.
Conclusion: Healthcare workers play an important role in the approach of smoking cessation both as non-smokers and as professionals. Planning and implementing cessation training to healthcare providers and hospital workers is highly recommended.
Footnotes
Cite this article as Eur Respir J 2022; 60: Suppl. 66, 3771.
This article was presented at the 2022 ERS International Congress, in session “-”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
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