Nurses, Smoking, and Immunity: A Review

Abstract

Nurses regularly are exposed to a variety of occupational hazards. In addition to documented occupational hazards, exposure to smoking remains a major concern. This article reviews the prevalence of smoking among nurses working in the United States and discusses their reasons for smoking. Researchers conducted a state-of-the-art review on the effects of cigarette smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) on the immune system. Smoking prevalence among nurses working in the United States ranged from 796-12%, and high work stress, poor work environment, shift work, and peer influence were suspected major risk factors influencing smoking behavior. A review of the effects of smoking on immunity revealed that both active smoking and exposure to SHS negatively affects immune function. When rehabilitation nurses stop smoking their health improves and nonsmokers are exposed to less SHS. Rehabilitation nurses are encouraged to share knowledge of the immunological benefits of smoking cessation with patients to facilitate nurse-led rehabilitation programs.

Razširjenost Kajenja Med Medicinskimi Sestrami, Babicami In Zdravstvenimi Tehniki V Sloveniji / The Prevalence Of Smoking Among Nurses, Midwives And Nursing Technicians In Slovenia

“…Naša raziskava je sicer izvedena tri leta pozneje in v času po uvedbi ukrepa prepovedi kajenja v vseh javnih in delovnih prostorih zaprtega tipa, ko bi mogoče lahko pričakovali upad kajenja med splošnim prebivalstvom, vendar pa drugih primerljivih raziskav po letu 2007 nimamo, zato ni mogoče oceniti, kolikšna je razlika v deležih. V primerjavi z zdravniki družinske medicine, pri katerih se delež kadilcev giblje okoli 10% (9,30,31), pa medicinske sestre, babice in zdravstveni tehniki v Sloveniji kadijo v višjem deležu, podobno kot drugje (14,17,18,32). V raziskavi smo prikazali, da kadi več moških kot žensk, podobno kot v tujini (8,18,19,(22)(23)(24)27 Kadilske navade medicinskih sester, babic in zdravstvenih tehnikov se, kot smo prikazali v raziskavi, razlikujejo glede na stopnjo izobrazbe.…”

Tobacco, Alcohol, Drug Use, and Intimate Partner Violence Among MSM Living With HIV

“…At the same time, substance use may contribute to worsening health conditions experienced by MSM. For instance, tobacco use increases the risk of anxiety (Moylan, Jacka, Pasco, & Berk, 2013) and immune dysregulation (Nakata, Swanson, & Caruso, 2010). In addition, use of alcohol and other drugs is often associated with heightened risk of engaging in condomless sex, which increases the rate of HIV infection among MSM in Western and Asian countries (Daskalopoulou et al, 2017).…”

Tobacco, Alcohol, Drug Use, and Intimate Partner Violence Among MSM Living With HIV

“…At the same time, substance use may contribute to worsening health conditions experienced by MSM. For instance, tobacco use increases the risk of anxiety (Moylan, Jacka, Pasco, & Berk, 2013) and immune dysregulation (Nakata, Swanson, & Caruso, 2010). In addition, use of alcohol and other drugs is often associated with heightened risk of engaging in condomless sex, which increases the rate of HIV infection among MSM in Western and Asian countries (Daskalopoulou et al, 2017).…”