[Smoking behaviour after laryngectomy].
BACKGROUND
Tobacco smoking is an important risk factor for laryngeal cancer. Aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of smoking and to identify factors that can promote tobacco abstinence.


METHODS
In a multi-centre cross-sectional study, 187 patients after laryngectomy were surveyed regarding their smoking behaviour. Instruments used were the questionnaire "Quality of Life after Laryngectomy" (Ackerstaff & Hilgers) and the "Questionnaire of Health Behaviour" ("Fragebogen zur Erfassung des Gesundheitsverhaltens", Dlugosch & Krieger).


RESULTS
Life time prevalence of tobacco smoking was 89%, whereas current prevalence was only 6%. None of the laryngectomies believed tobacco consumption to be safe. 24% thought that their tumour was caused mainly by smoking, although the current prevalence of smoking was not related to that number. 74% of all ex-smokers had stopped smoking at the time of the laryngectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Only a small fraction of laryngectomized patients do smoke several years after the operation. Anti-tobacco interventions should therefore be focused on high risk persons, not on the entire patient population.
Universität Leipzig, Abteilung Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Leipzig, Germany. susanne.singer@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
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Singer
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Keszte
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Thiele
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Klemm
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Täschner
J
J
Oeken
E F
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Meister
H
H
Danker
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Guntinas-Lichius
J
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Lautermann
A
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Meyer
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Dietz
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data