Exploring socio-contextual factors associated with male smoker’s intention to quit smoking

Abstract

BackgroundPrograms to encourage smokers to quit smoking tobacco have been implemented worldwide and are generally viewed as an effective public health intervention program. However, few studies have examined the social factors that influence a smoker’s intention to quit smoking. This study investigated the socio-contextual factors that are associated with the intention to quit smoking among male smokers in South Korea.MethodsData were obtained from a 2014 nationally representative panel that examined the influences of mass media on the health of the Korean population. Members of this panel were recruited using a mixed-method sampling and a combination of random digit dial and address-based sampling designs. Survey questions were based on those used in previous studies that assessed the effects of social context, including mass media and social capital, on health. Multivariate logistic regression analyses of the answers of 313 male smokers were undertaken.ResultsMale smokers who participated in community-based activities were 2.45 times more likely to intend to quit smoking compared to male smokers in general (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.25–6.82). In addition, male smokers who participated in informal social gathering networks were 2.38 times more likely to intend to quit smoking compared to male smokers in general (95 % CI: 1.11–5.10). Moreover, male smokers with high smartphone use were 1.93 times more likely than smokers with low smartphone use to intend to quit smoking within one year (95 % CI: 1.07–3.46).ConclusionsA supportive environment that enables male smokers to access beneficial health information and that encourages them to quit smoking is necessary for a stop-smoking program to be effective. The result of this study contribute to establishing a new smoking control policy by identifying socio-contextual factors related to the intention to quit smoking.

Health Behavior of Adolescent Smokers During Covid-19 Pandemic

“…The main factors that influence the intention to quit smoking need to be determined for smokers that have little or no intention to quit. This is according to previous research [44], in a small group of young adults, office workers, and participants in various smoking cessation programs at health care centers. According to DB, a 16 years old junior high school student, in a small group of young adults, office workers, and participants in various smoking cessation programs at health care centers.…”

Potential factors associated with clinical stage of nasopharyngeal carcinoma at diagnosis: a case–control study

“…In previous studies, most smokers expressed regret that they had begun smoking and worried about the future effects of smoking on their health and quality of life [ 45 , 46 ]. Furthermore, smokers who had quit or intended to quit smoking were likely to have more access to beneficial health information [ 47 ]. However, the pernicious effects of smoking are undisputed.…”

Effect of Viewing Smoking Scenes in Motion Pictures on Subsequent Smoking Desire in Audiences in South Korea

“…Survey questions were based on previous reports on the effects of social context, including mass media use and social capital, on health [ 17 , 19 , 20 ]. The questionnaire included topics adapted from the Health Information National Trends Survey of validated measures developed through a series of health communication studies in Korea [ 12 , 21 ]. Sensation-seeking behavior was defined as an individual’s innate propensity to seek out novel, strong, and intricate experiences and feelings and to willingly take physical and socioeconomic risks to have such experiences and feelings [ 22 , 23 ].…”

“…In particular, sensation-seeking and information-seeking behaviors on adolescents’ smoking desire as a result of media exposure are influential. Even if other conditions are equal, the desire to smoke in an adolescent who views smoking scenes in films can be stimulated or restrained significantly, depending on whether or not the person is a sensation seeker or a health-information seeker [ 10 - 12 ].…”