Does smoking behaviours among medical staff influence the attitude and counselling on smoking cessation?

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of smoking and its effects within the medical staff. Their personal smoking behaviour was also assessed to see if it affects their smoking cessation advice given to patients. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the healthcare workers via a Google Form link which was delivered by an intermediary of the respective association. Participants were accepted according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The cross-sectional questionnaire was constructed with demographic data, the participant’s current smoking status and smoking cessation related questions. Statistical analyses was conducted with the use of IBM SPSS Statistics software. Results: Ex-smokers agreed with the fact that smoking is a chronic relapsing medical condition whereas non-smokers and active smokers only somewhat agreed. Non-smokers and ex-smokers are the ones that give smoking cessation advice to their patients, whereas only a few of the active smokers stated that they provide such information. Conclusion: A replication of this study is encouraged with a larger population sample to be able to get more responses. More associations can be contacted to get this. More questions should be added to the questionnaire targeted to the ex-smokers, to gain a better perspective on what motivated them to quit.