Smoking among doctors and nurses in Porto

Abstract

Introduction: Few studies are available on tobacco use among health professionals, whose smoking rates are usually higher than those observed in general population. Health professionals play an important role in smoking cessation programs. Aims: To determine the proportion of smokers among doctors and nurses of Porto, Portugal; to evaluate their levels of motivation to stop smoking, their levels of tobacco dependence, and some associated factors. Methods: Cross-sectional, analytical study. A convenience sample of doctors and nurses working in Porto was studied through a self-administered questionnaire. Richmond and Fagerström tests were respectively used to evaluate motivation to stop smoking and dependence on tobacco. Results: Prevalence of smoking was of 20,5%. Sixty-three percent of smokers stated that they began smoking at age 18 or more; 59% seriously considered stop smoking at least once, and 77% smoked in their workplaces. Motivation to stop smoking was moderate to high in 63%; the degree of tobacco dependence was high in 20% of smokers. Conclusions: The prevalence of smokers among health professionals is high, according to the characterization of Portugal in stage II of tobacco use epidemic. A significant proportion of smokers are motivated to stop, and only 20% of them will require special support, namely pharmacological treatment.