Smoking cessation consultations in the Alvalade Health Centre: Evaluation of results from the first 184 patients

Abstract

Objectives: To characterize the Smoking Cessation Service of the Alvalade Health Center and to evaluate the abstinence rate among smoking patients. Methodology: Descriptive and cross-sectional study. Data was collected from the clinical registries of all the 184 smoking patients who had completed, by the time of the study, at least one year after the first appointment. Fagerstrom test was used to evaluate physical dependence on nicotine and Richmond test was used to determine motivation to stop smoking. Results: The studied smokers belong to both genders, have a medium age of 45 years, have a professional activity and a secondary level of education. The majority smoked the first cigarette at the age of 15 and smoked an average of 28 cigarettes per day. Women smoked less than men, between 11 and 20 cigarettes versus 30 or more (p=0.018). The majority showed a moderate dependence on nicotine (a score of 5.9). Men scored higher than women, 6.4 versus 5.3 (p=0.001). Women smoked as a coping mechanism to manage stress and men smoked for pleasure. When compared to men, managing stress (p=0.002) and weight control (p=0.002) are smoking reasons referred by women. Abstinence rate, evaluated 12 months after the first appointment, was 24%. Smokers with psychiatric pathology had more difficulty quitting smoking (p=0.046). Conclusions: The studied smokers belong to both genders, have a medium age of 45 years, a medium level of education, and began to smoke by the age of 15. They smoke 28 cigarettes per day, show a moderate dependence on nicotine and are motivated to stop smoking. Twelve months after the first appointment, 24% of them were abstinent.