Jatuporn Chalermrueangrong and Sunida Preechawong
The purpose of this paper is to compare the outcome of a smoking cessation program based on the protection motivation theory and a brief intervention among Royal Thai Air Force…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to compare the outcome of a smoking cessation program based on the protection motivation theory and a brief intervention among Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) officers, with non-communicable disease (NCD) risks.
Design/methodology/approach
This quasi-experimental study involved sixty RTAF officers, with NCD risks. The first 30 participants were assigned to a control group and the latter 30 to an experimental group. The control group received brief advice on quitting smoking while the experimental group took part in an eight-week motivational program. The primary outcome was biochemically verified seven-day point prevalence abstinence from smoking. A measurement of carbon monoxide (CO)<8 ppm in exhaled breath was considered indicative of abstinence.
Findings
Most participants were non-commissioned officers, with an age range of 21–59 years and a mean age of 38.27 years (SD=10.59). No significant difference in the Fagerström test for nicotine dependence scores between control and experimental groups was observed. The proportion of the participants reporting the seven-day point prevalence abstinence verified by exhaled CO was significantly higher in the experiment group than in the control group (20.0 percent vs 3.3 percent; p<0.05). Numbers of cigarettes per day decreased from 12.87±7.23 and 10.53 ± 7.45 at the baseline to 7.23 ± 5.90 and 8.83 ± 6.13 at the end of study in experimental and control group, respectively.
Originality/value
This motivation-based program to quit smoking had a promising outcome in terms of smoking abstinence and smoking reduction.
Details
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Wiwat Laochai and Sunida Preechawong
The purpose of this study is to calculate the smoking quit rate and to examine the factors influencing smoking abstinence among Thai Buddhist monks with noncommunicable diseases…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to calculate the smoking quit rate and to examine the factors influencing smoking abstinence among Thai Buddhist monks with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
Design/methodology/approach
This was a cross-sectional study of 136 Buddhist monks with NCDs purposively sampled from the Priest Hospital. The participants were between 20 and 59 years of age, smoked at least one cigarette a day and received cessation advice from nurses or other health professionals. The dependent variable was self-reported 7-day point-prevalence smoking abstinence assessment at a three-month follow-up. Independent variables were age, schooling level, nicotine dependence, intention to quit, physical activity and perceived self-efficacy in quitting cessation. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the factors influencing smoking cessation.
Findings
50 of the 136 Thai Buddhist monks (36.8%) reported the 7-day point prevalence abstinence at a three-month follow-up. About two-thirds of the participants indicated health concern as the motivation to quit smoking. Perceived self-efficacy of abstinence (odds ratio 1.04; 95% confidence interval 1.014–1.074) and intention to quit smoking (odds ratio 1.34; 95% confidence interval 1.129–1.599) were significant predictors of abstinence.
Originality/value
This is the first study of its kind to investigate the predictors of smoking cessation in Thai Buddhist monks with NCDs. The findings will be of help to healthcare counselors seeking to motivate monks to quit smoking.