Cigarette smoking, nicotine dependence, and motivation to quit smoking in South African male psychiatric inpatients

Abstract

BackgroundSmoking is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide and the prevalence is particularly high among psychiatric patients but recent international studies demonstrated that psychiatric patients are able and motivated to quit. The aim of this study was to evaluate cigarette smoking, nicotine dependence, and motivation for smoking cessation in male psychiatric inpatients in a sample of South African acute-care male psychiatric inpatients.MethodsAll inpatients admitted during a 2-month period (April to May 2016) to the Stikland Hospital Acute Male Admissions Unit in Cape Town, Western Cape, were included. Subjects completed a survey including a set of tests: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), and the Decisional Balance for Cigarette Smoking (DBCS) (6-item version). Demographic data were obtained from patients’ clinical charts.ResultsAmong the 160 new inpatients, 72.5% (n = 116) completed the survey. Of the 116 participants, 91.4% (n = 106) were current smokers of whom 82% (n = 87) smoked daily and 55.6% (n = 59) were identified as having high nicotine dependence (FTND ≥ 6). Although a large majority (71.7%; n = 76) of current smokers expressed positive perceptions regarding smoking, a notable proportion (59.4%; n = 63) still attempted to quit the habit in the preceding 12 months and daily smokers were less likely to quit. However, only a minor proportion of all current (43.4%; n = 46) and specifically daily (40.2%; n = 35) smokers were advised on smoking cessation by a health worker.ConclusionThis study confirms that, similar to populations elsewhere, rates of cigarette smoking among psychiatric inpatients in South Africa is exceedingly high. While patients are motivated to quit smoking, few were provided with the necessary advice. Our findings provide further support for the integration of smoking cessation support in mental health care.

Nurses' beliefs, attitudes, and opinions regarding a smoking ban in a psychiatric hospital

“…13,[17][18][19] However, other studies have found significant intentions to quit smoking in people with mental health disorders, with reports of successful interventions. [20][21][22] In this study, most nursing professionals admitted to having told the person with a mental health disorder that they would prohibit smoking if they did not behave as expected. The use of cigarettes as a tool to manage patient behavior was reported in a study conducted in the United Kingdom, in which patients and healthcare professionals mentioned smoking rooms as an alternative reduction method.…”

“…Studies confirm that healthcare professionals are not confident in the ability of people with mental health disorders to abstain from smoking 13,17-19. However, other studies have found significant intentions to quit smoking in people with mental health disorders, with reports of successful interventions 20-22…”

Lifestyles and discomfort in a sample of young Romanian students

“…Young people are considered the most exposed to risks from harmful behaviour stemming from alcohol, tobacco and substance abuse [ 26 , 27 ]. Starting to drink before the age of 14 can affect health negatively and is associated with alcohol abuse and other forms of abuse in adult life [ 28 , 29 ].…”

Smoking cessation among people with mental illness: A South African perspective

“… 8 These rates are even higher among psychiatric inpatients. In a study conducted among 116 inpatients at Stikland Hospital in the Western Cape, Du Plooy et al 9 found that 91.4% were current smokers. Almost half (46.6%) of the participants were diagnosed with schizophrenia, 22.4% with substance-induced psychotic disorder and 12.1% with bipolar disorder.…”

“…Almost half (46.6%) of the participants were diagnosed with schizophrenia, 22.4% with substance-induced psychotic disorder and 12.1% with bipolar disorder. 9 …”