Promoting smoking cessation among the elderly: what are the predictors of intention to quit and successful quitting?
OBJECTIVE
To assess the predictors of smoking cessation and intention to quit among the Chinese elderly smokers.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey of elderly smokers.


METHODS
Shamsuipo district, Hong Kong.


METHODS
A total of 1,318 elderly were interviewed (response rate = 83%).


METHODS
A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire sought information on the subject's sociodemographic background and smoking habits. The predictors for successful quitting and intention to quit were assessed by chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression.


RESULTS
Of the respondents, 20.2% were current smokers, 25.4% were ex-smokers, and 54.4% were never smokers. Of the smoker (current and ex-smokers) respondents, 55.7% (335/601) had successfully quit at the time of enumeration. The predictors of quitting were living with others, receiving assistance for mobility, being nondrinkers, smoking for shorter duration, and smoking more cigarettes per day. Having health problems in the past, smoking for shorter duration, and smoking fewer cigarettes per day were predictors of intention to quit smoking.


CONCLUSIONS
The study identified several predictors of successful quitting that could help improve the provision of current smoking cessation services. Population-based smoking cessation programs, especially those targeted to elderly, should take these predictors into consideration in the design of interventions.
Abdullah
Abu Saleh M
AS
Boston University School of Health, USA and The University of Hong Kong.
Ho
Lai-Ming
LM
Kwan
Yam H
YH
Cheung
W L
WL
McGhee
S M
SM
Chan
W H
WH
D000368:Aged; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires