The impact of socioeconomic and demographic factors on the utilization of smoking cessation medications in patients hospitalized with cardiovascular disease in Nova Scotia, Canada.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether any demographic or socioeconomic factors affect the use of smoking cessation medications in patients hospitalized with heart disease.


METHODS
Data were obtained from the Improving Cardiovascular Outcomes in Nova Scotia (ICONS) Canada database, which includes a registry of all hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of ischaemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, or atrial fibrillation since October 1997. Patients agreeing to provide follow-up were sent an enrollment survey to determine demographic and socioeconomic factors including household income, educational background and private drug insurance plans.


RESULTS
Between 15 October 1997 and 31 December 2000, 5442 patients who were current smokers and 270 patients using a smoking cessation medication were admitted to hospital registered in the ICONS database. An enrollment survey was completed by 1071 current smokers and 77 patients using a smoking cessation agent.


CONCLUSIONS
Higher education level, presence of private drug insurance plans, and less difficulty paying for basic needs were associated with higher use of smoking cessation medications.
Whelan
A M
AM
College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada. anne.marie.whelan@dal.ca
Cooke
C A
CA
Sketris
I S
IS
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D016642:Bupropion / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002638:Chewing Gum; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009674:Nova Scotia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors
D002638:Chewing Gum; D016642:Bupropion; D009538:Nicotine