title: Knowledge of and practices related to smoking cessation among physicians in Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the knowledge and practices of smoking cessation among physicians in Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional survey in Lagos and three geopolitical zones of Nigeria. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on tobacco use and its health effects, as well as on the knowledge and practices of smoking cessation, from 436 physicians.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 436 physicians, 292 (67.0%) were aware of smoking cessation, but only 132 (30.3%) showed good knowledge on this topic. The prevalence of smoking among the physicians was 17.7%. In addition, 308 physicians (70.6%) reported that tobacco education in the medical school curriculum was inadequate. Of the 436 physicians, 372 (86.2%) asked their patients whether they smoked, and 172 (39.4%) asked their patients the reasons for using tobacco. As a means of smoking cessation intervention, 268 (61.5%) used brief advice/counseling (2-5 min), 12 (3.7%) prescribed antidepressants, 16 (2.8%) prescribed nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and 76 (17.4%) arranged follow-up visits. When the physicians were questioned regarding the obstacles to smoking cessation interventions, 289 (66.3%) cited poor knowledge of the issue, 55 (12.6%) cited a lack of time, and 20 (4.6%) cited unavailability of NRT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study highlight the lack of knowledge among physicians in Nigeria in terms of smoking cessation, as well as their failure to apply appropriate practices. The results of this study can further the evaluation and formulation of guidelines on smoking cessation and smoking education programs for physicians. Our findings also underscore the need to offer smoking cessation programs in all treatment facilities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigéria. femuy1967@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Olufemi Olumuyiwa
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Desalu
authors.forename: Adebowale Olayinka
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Adekoya
authors.forename: Adetokunbo Olujimi
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Elegbede
authors.forename: Adeolu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dosunmu
authors.forename: Tolutope Fasanmi
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Kolawole
authors.forename: Kelechukwu Chukwudi
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Nwogu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*