[Characteristics and effectiveness of smoking cessation programs in Italy. Results of a multicentric longitudinal study].
OBJECTIVE
to describe the characteristics and effectiveness of various smoking cessation programs offered by Italian treatment services operating within the National Health Service.


METHODS
prospective longitudinal multicentre study involving 41 smoking cessation services in 16 Italian regions.


METHODS
the study population includes patients entering smoking cessation programs between April 2003 and June 2004. The "study population" includes 1226 patients (54.2% males and 45.4% females), mean age 47 years. Patients have a middle/high level of education and a long history of smoking; most are highly dependent on nicotine and report previous attempts to quit smoking.


METHODS
treatment effectiveness in smoking cessation is assessed six months after entering treatment service. Logistic Regression Model was used to determine the predictors of successfiul cessation, independent of treatment typology. The predictors were included as confounding variables in the logistic regression model that was used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments. Besides the effect of treatment completion on smoking cessation was estimated.


RESULTS
predictors of successful smoking cessation are: being male, presence of a partner, strong motivation to quit, previous attempts to give up smoking, mild nicotine dependence, and not suffering from mood disturbances. All treatments are effective in helping people to stop smoking: cessation rate ranges between 25.00% for patients receiving a single session of motivational counselling and 65.3% for those receiving nicotine replacement therapy combined to group therapy. Compared to a single session of motivational counseling, nicotine replacement therapy combined to group therapy is the most effective therapeutic program (OR 5.4; 95%CI 12.5-12.0). Treatment completion is a strong determinant ofsuccess (OR 4.8; 95%CI 3.5-6.4).


CONCLUSIONS
enrolling people in any type of therapeutic program, in particular nicotine replacement therapy combined with group therapy increases the probability of successfully quitting smoking; moreover, patients that begin a smoking cessation program should be encouraged to complete the therapy
Belleudi
Valeria
V
Dipartimento di epidemiologia, ASL RM E, Roma. belleudi@asplazio.it
Bargagli
Anna Maria
AM
Davoli
Marina
M
Di Pucchio
Alessandra
A
Pacifici
Roberta
R
Pizzi
Enrica
E
Zuccaro
Piergiorgio
P
Perucci
Carlo Alberto
CA
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016730:Program Development; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome