Comparison of knowledge, attitudes and behaviour regarding smoking among Estonian and Finnish physicians

Pärna, Kersti; Rahu, Kaja; Barengo, Noël C.; Rahu, Mati; Sandström, Patrick; Jormanainen, Vesa; Myllykangas, Markku

doi:10.1007/s00038-005-4089-z

Cited by 31 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The prevalence of smoking among physicians has decreased during the last decades in many places [8,13,28,29]. In these countries the population appears to be well informed about the dangers of smoking and physicians seem to respond by giving up smoking more frequently than other individuals, resulting in this important drop in prevalence.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of tobacco and alcohol by Swiss primary care physicians: a cross-sectional survey

Sebo

Gallacchi²,

Goehring³

et al. 2007

BMC Public Health

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Abstract

Background

Health behaviours among doctors has been suggested to be an important marker of how harmful lifestyle behaviours are perceived. In several countries, decrease in smoking among physicians was spectacular, indicating that the hazard was well known. Historical data have shown that because of their higher socio-economical status physicians take up smoking earlier. When the dangers of smoking become better known, physicians began to give up smoking at a higher rate than the general population. For alcohol consumption, the situation is quite different: prevalence is still very high among physicians and the dangers are not so well perceived. To study the situation in Switzerland, data of a national survey were analysed to determine the prevalence of smoking and alcohol drinking among primary care physicians.

Methods

2'756 randomly selected practitioners were surveyed to assess subjective mental and physical health and their determinants, including smoking and drinking behaviours. Physicians were categorised as never smokers, current smokers and former smokers, as well as non drinkers, drinkers (AUDIT-C < 4 for women and < 5 for men) and at risk drinkers (higher scores).

Results

1'784 physicians (65%) responded (men 84%, mean age 51 years). Twelve percent were current smokers and 22% former smokers. Sixty six percent were drinkers and 30% at risk drinkers. Only 4% were never smokers and non drinkers. Forty eight percent of current smokers were also at risk drinkers and 16% of at risk drinkers were also current smokers. Smoking and at risk drinking were more frequent among men, middle aged physicians and physicians living alone. When compared to a random sample of the Swiss population, primary care physicians were two to three times less likely to be active smokers (12% vs. 30%), but were more likely to be drinkers (96% vs. 78%), and twice more likely to be at risk drinkers (30% vs. 15%).

Conclusion

The prevalence of current smokers among Swiss primary care physicians was much lower than in the general population in Switzerland, reflecting that the hazards of smoking are well known to doctors. However, the opposite was found for alcohol use, underlining the importance of making efforts in this area to increase awareness among physicians of the dangers of alcohol consumption.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of tobacco and alcohol by Swiss primary care physicians: a cross-sectional survey

Sebo

Gallacchi²,

Goehring³

et al. 2007

BMC Public Health

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Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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“…Physician smokers appear to be less willing to inquire about tobacco use, to advise cessation, and to provide evidencebased assistance when compared to their non-smoking counterparts [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. In countries with lengthy histories of anti-tobacco activity, such as Canada, the USA, Sweden, Australia, and the UK, this is not a major problem since physician smoking rates are very low.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physician smoking status, attitudes toward smoking, and cessation advice to patients: An international survey

Pipe

Sorensen

Reid

2009

Patient Education and Counseling

180

141

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“…However, smoking rates among HCPs in Ireland are still markedly lower than other countries (41% among doctors in China) 29 . Previous studies found HCP smoking status was associated with willingness to engage with their patients regarding smoking [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] . In the current study there was no association between smoking status and routine recording of status, routine advising, referring to smoking cessation services or feeling prepared to assist.…”

Section: Prevalencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…First to support the health of this group we must ensure the health system they work in continues to promote their own health generally and more specifically by providing a smoke free workplace and supporting those trying to quit smoking. Secondly the smoking status of physicians and 'health staff' appears to impact upon their willingness to engage with patients regarding tobacco Tobacco Prevention & Cessation use [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] . An international survey found that physicians who smoked were less likely to initiate cessation interventions in comparison to their non-smoking counterparts 13 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Irish Healthcare staff- Smoking, training and activity in treatment of tobacco dependence -an online survey

Clancy¹,

Keogan²,

Babineau³

et al. 2016

Tob. Prev. Cessation

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INTRODUCTION Ireland has strong tobacco control legislation but must get smokers to stop if the national plan of having a smoking prevalence of 5% by the year 2025 is possible. Involving all healthcare staff in this effort is regarded as important. We surveyed the present situation. METHODS An online survey was conducted of 1257 healthcare staff; 520 nurses, 440 doctors, 297 dentists in 2014. The sample was accessed with the help of the Irish Nurses and Midwifes Organisation (INMO), Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) and the Irish Dental Association (IDA). The questionnaire addressed individual smoking habits and attitudes, training and practice with regard to smoking cessation. RESULTS The prevalence in our sample was 8.5%. Nurses had the highest prevalence. Doctors had the highest never smoked rate. Smoking was related to age. Attitudes to treating smoking were positive among all HCP groups. Overall 96.4% of HCPs agreed that they should routinely ask patients about smoking and 94% agreed that they should advise all smokers to quit. 20.7 % of HCPs said they had formal training in smoking cessation and this was correlated to asking or giving advice. 42.9% with training while only 7.6% without training felt well prepared to assist smokers quit (p <001). Time, work priorities and lack of training were identified as the main barriers by all HCPs. Doctors particularly reported time problems (χ2 = 158.021, p <001). CONCLUSION Prevalence of smoking is low in HCPs, formal training in SC is low but the need for HCPs to be involved in SC is widely accepted.

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Comparison of knowledge, attitudes and behaviour regarding smoking among Estonian and Finnish physicians

Cited by 31 publications

References 17 publications

Use of tobacco and alcohol by Swiss primary care physicians: a cross-sectional survey

Use of tobacco and alcohol by Swiss primary care physicians: a cross-sectional survey

Physician smoking status, attitudes toward smoking, and cessation advice to patients: An international survey

Irish Healthcare staff- Smoking, training and activity in treatment of tobacco dependence -an online survey

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