Retrospective analysis of smoking cessation campaign in aviation personnel

Abstract

Aim: Because of many health hazards, we carry out training and treatment efforts to reduce the use of tobacco products by aviation personnel. In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate our smoking cessation rates according to treatment modality, patients' education level, and marital status via outpatient clinic records. Material and Methods: The records of the Smoking Cessation Policlinic between January 01, 2016 and April 30, 2018 were analyzed in this study. Patients' demographics, smoking attitudes, cessation method, the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), anxiety and depression scales were evaluated. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test, Independent Samples T-Test or the Mann-Whitney-U test were used in between-groups analyzes. The Chi-Squared test was used for testing relationship between categorical variables. Results: One hundred forty-two patients were included in this study and 3 of them were female. All females and 38.9% of males quit smoking. The overall cessation rate was 40.1%. The duration of smoking was higher, the first and last measured CO values were lower, and the follow-up periods were longer in the quitters' group (p<0.05). The cigarettes smoked per day and FTND scores were higher in the non-quitters' group (p>0.05). The cessation rate was slightly increased with education duration (p>0.05). Married patients' cessation rate was higher than single or separated patients (p>0.05). The highest cessation rate was achieved in the Varenicline group (p<0.001). Discussion: The use of tobacco products in aviation personnel is similar to that of the normal population. We can suggest that cessation success can be affected by marital status, addiction level, education, and the treatment method.