TITLE:
Cigarette Smoking and Attitudes Concerning Its Control among Healthcare Workers in Enugu, South-East, Nigeria
AUTHORS:
I. B. Omotowo, E. O. Ndibuagu, U. Ezeoke
KEYWORDS:
Prevalence, Smoking, Healthcare Workers
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.8 No.11,
August
12,
2016
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Cigarette smoking is an established risk factor for many diseases, and according to World Health Organization, health care workers can influence positively or negatively the smoking habits of the community. Objective: The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence of cigarette smoking and attitudes regarding its control among healthcare workers in Enugu, South-East Nigeria. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted among 369 healthcare providers randomly selected in primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities. Data were collected using a self reported questionnaire on cigarette smoking, and were analysed using SPSS Version 21, and statistical significance of association between variables was assessed using chi-square test at p 2 = 22.134, df = 6, P = 0.003), advertising cigarettes (X2 = 42.532, df = 28, P = 0.040), cigarettes smoking in restaurants (X2 = 42.560, df = 20, P = 0.001), and smoking in all enclosed places (X2 = 33.257, df = 20, P = 0.025), but not statistically significant for health professionals to serve as role models (X2 = 24.420, df = 8, P = 0.086). Conclusion: Our results showed high percentage of cigarette smoking among healthcare providers. Smoking cessation programs should be introduced among healthcare providers.