Effectiveness of a Brief Physician Counselling Session on Improving Smoking Behaviour in the Workplace

Abstract

Background: Brief physician counselling has been shown to be effective in improving smokers' behaviour. If the counselling sessions can be given at the workplace, this would benefit a larger number of smokers. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a ten-minute physician counseling session at the workplace in improving smoking behaviour. Materials and Methods: This prospective randomised control trial was conducted on smokers in a factory. A total of 163 participants were recruited and randomised into control and intervention groups using a table of random numbers. The intervention group received a ten-minute brief physician counselling session to quit smoking. Stages of smoking behaviour were measured in both groups using a translated and validated questionnaire at baseline, one month and three months post intervention. Results: There was a significant improvement in smoking behaviour at one-month post intervention (p=0.024, intention to treat analysis; OR=2.525; CI=1.109-5.747). This was not significant at three-month post intervention (p=0.946, intention to treat analysis; OR=1.026; 95% CI=0.486-2.168). Conclusions: A session of brief physician counselling was effective in improving smokers' behaviour at workplace, but the effect was not sustained.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of a WHO-5A model based comprehensive tobacco control program among migrant workers in Guangdong, China: a pilot study

“…Attending the 5A group counseling and reading the posters also helped to improve smoking-related knowledge and attitudes. Previous studies suggested the importance of 5A intervention and general education in improving knowledge and attitudes [15,16]. We did not find other smoking cessation efforts such as social media interventions or open lectures as being important predictors, perhaps due to the limited coverage (Table 3).…”

“…Conducting smoking cessation interventions in the workplaces, including recruitment and regular follow-ups is necessary, given the high smoking rate among the workers; but also feasible as they work together and spend most of their daily time in their workplace [14]. Previous studies have suggested the efficacy of smoking cessation interventions in the workplace [15][16][17][18][19]. Several intervention approaches have shown to be effective for tobacco control including individual or group counselling, pharmacotherapy, and incentives.…”

“…Several intervention approaches have shown to be effective for tobacco control including individual or group counselling, pharmacotherapy, and incentives. However, these approaches are often used in developed countries [15][16][17]. In developing countries, approaches such as environmental support or self-help interventions were often reported, which were however shown to be less effective [18,19].…”

Effectiveness of Tobacco Education for Pharmacy Students in Indonesia

“…Several studies indicated that health professionals are willing to participate in tobacco cessation activities (Binnal et al, 2012, Saba et al, 2014, Han et al, 2014. Nevertheless, lack of expertise and administrative barrier has been reported as main barriers in inclusion of tobacco control in the health care professional curriculum (Panda et al, 2013, Yadav et al, 2014.…”

Psychometric Evaluation of the Short Form of Situational Temptation Scale for Smoking Cessation among Iranian Workers Based on Transtheoretical Model

“…Due to the dramatic rate of smoking among the factory workers (8) and setting basic health interventions as the most favorable intervention to recognize the barriers of quitting smoking in the work settings and assess the effectiveness of the interventions (8), it was decided to select the automobile manufacturing company in Bam, Iran and the workers as the participant of the study in order to psychometrically evaluate the short form of situational temptations scale for smoke cessation among Iranian workers as the purpose of the current study.…”