Determinants for Failure to Quit Cigarette Smoking among Adult Saudi Males
/ 1
- Details
- Category: Vol. 82, September 2014
- Hits: 863
Determinants for Failure to Quit Cigarette Smoking among Adult Saudi Males, OSSAMA A. MOSTAFA and MOHAMMAD Y. QASSEM
Abstract
Aim of Study: To identify risk factors for failure to quit cigarette smoking among adult Saudi males.
Subjects and Methods: This study has been conducted at the Anti-Smoking Clinic of Abha City, Saudi Arabia, during 2011. A consecutive sample was followed to interview 350 ex-smokers attending the Abha Anti-smoking Clinic for at least one year. The researchers developed a data collection sheet that included personal characteristics, clinical picture and laboratory investigations, received treatment and the status of cigarette smoking quitting.
Results: Younger participants (<30 years) had the lowest relapse rate (55.6%), while the oldest participants (>50 years) had the highest for relapse rate (72.5%). Relapse rate was significantly associated with age of participant (p=0.031). Single participants had a higher relapse rate than married participants (82.1 % vs. 64.6%, respectively, p=0.010). The proportions of participants who sustained relapse were least among those who had the least duration of smoking (55.6%), while the highest proportions were among those who have been smoking for more than 20 years (72.5%). Differences in relapse rates according to duration of smoking were statistically significant (p=0.031). The proportions for relapse among participants who had more than one treatment mo-dalities were higher than those who received only one treatment modality. Differences were statistically significant (p=0.028).
Conclusions: Most smokers start smoking before the age of 20 years and most quitters experience relapse(s). Reasons for relapse(s) among quitters are mainly attributed to the social influence of smoker friends, impact of the daily stressful life, experiencing overwhelming withdrawal symptoms, ex-periencing intolerable treatment side effects, and being a drug abuser. Younger and married quitters experience lowest relapse rates. Smoking quitters who have at least one close friend who smokes have much higher relapse rates than those who do not have a close friend who does not smoke. Relapse rates are least among those who have the least duration of smoking, while the highest proportions are among those who have been smoking for more than 20 years.
Recommendations: Health education messages should focus on children and adolescents to prevent start of smoking. Quitters are advised to resist the influence of their friends to prevent relapse. Psychological support should be provided to quitters to help them overcome the impact of their daily stressful lives. Smokers who intend to quit should choose the least stressful times to start quitting. Drug abusers should be assisted to quit their substance before starting quitting smoking. Quitters who undergo relapse should avoid the reason(s) for that and repeat their efforts to quit till they finally succeed.