Sociodemographic characteristics and smoking-related habits among participants in a lung cancer screening program in Vojvodina, Serbia

Abstract

Introduction. Lung cancer ranks as the second most common cancer among women and the leading cancer among men in Serbia. This study aimed to analyze smoking-related habits among participants in a lung cancer screening program. Material and Methods. The cross-sectional study was conducted between September 29, 2020 and June 9, 2023. Relevant database records containing information on socio-demographic characteristics of patients treated at the Primary Healthcare Center Novi Sad were analyzed. Socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, level of formal education), and smoking related habits, were obtained through an electronic questionnaire, specially designed for the purpose of the project. Results. Out of 2,460 respondents, 58.9% were females. The average age of the respondents was 63.7?6.8 years. The majority of the participants were smokers (83.3%). Nearly half (48.7%) considered quitting smoking in the previous six months, while 24% considered smoking cessation within the next 30 days. Participants frequently concerned about the risk of lung cancer development were more willing to quit smoking compared to those less concerned (33.3% vs. 16.2%, p<0.001). Conclusion. The study concludes that there is a low level of personal decisions to quit smoking, concern for one?s health and insufficient awareness of the risks of lung cancer development. Physicians working in the primary healthcare settings should take a more proactive role in smoking cessation initiatives.