Characteristics of smokers enrolled in a public smoking cessation program.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the characteristics of smokers seeking treatment in a public smoking cessation program.


METHODS
This was a retrospective evaluation of data collected during the interview for enrollment in the smoking cessation program of the Smoking Outpatient Clinic of the Paulista State University School of Medicine in the city of Botucatu, Brazil, between April of 2003 and April of 2007. Demographic variables; previous use of the behavioral approach, medications or alternative treatments for smoking cessation; degree of nicotine dependence; and history of comorbidities were evaluated in 387 smokers.


RESULTS
In our sample, 63% of the smokers were female. The mean age of the subjects was 50 + or - 25 years. More than half of the subjects (61%) had up to eight years of schooling, and 66% had a monthly income of less than twice the national minimum wage. The degree of nicotine dependence was high/very high in 59%, medium in 17% and low/very low in 24% of the subjects. Although 95% of the patients presented comorbidities, only 35% had been referred to the program by a physician. More than half of the subjects (68%) had made at least one smoking-cessation attempt, 83% of whom did so without the help of a structured program.


CONCLUSIONS
Smokers seeking assistance for smoking cessation were socially disadvantaged, presented a high degree of nicotine dependence and had previously made smoking-cessation attempts without the benefit of a structured program. Therefore, in order to be effective, smoking control interventions should take into consideration the general characteristics of the smokers treated via the public health care system.
Caram
Laura Miranda de Oliveira
LM
Botucatu School of Medicine, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil. laucaram@hotmail.com
Ferrari
Renata
R
Tanni
Suzana Erico
SE
Coelho
Liana Sousa
LS
Godoy
Ilda de
Id
Martin
Rosana dos Santos e Silva
Rdos S
Godoy
Irma de
Id
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D017150:Public Sector; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult