[Evaluation of hospitalized patients in terms of their knowledge related to smoking].
OBJECTIVE
To identify characteristics related to smoking in hospitalized patients and to assess the knowledge that such patients have regarding the relationship between nicotine dependence and smoking-related diseases.


METHODS
The study included 186 patients (males, 59%; mean age, 51.3 +/- 16.8 years) who were evaluated regarding demographic characteristics, diagnosis at admission, smoking history and passive smoke exposure. All of the patients completed a questionnaire regarding their knowledge of the relationship between smoking and disease.


RESULTS
Of the 186 patients, 42 (22.6%) were smokers, 64 (34.4%) were former smokers and 80 (43%) stated they were never smokers; 136 (73%) reported passive smoke exposure. In the sample as a whole, 21.5% of the patients were diagnosed with a smoking-related disease at admission, compared with 39% of those who were smokers or former smokers. The proportion of individuals who were unaware of the relationship between smoking and the cause of hospitalization was similar among current smokers and former smokers (56% and 65%, respectively). Only 19% of the current smokers believed that smoking might have affected their health, compared with 32% of the former smokers (p = 0.22). The proportion of individuals who believed that quitting smoking depends on willpower was significantly higher among former smokers and never smokers than among current smokers (64% and 53%, respectively, vs. 24%; p < 0.001 and p = 0.008). Although 96% of the patients believed that smoking causes dependence, only 60% identified smoking as a disease.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows the disconnect between the recognition of smoking as a cause of dependence and the recognition of smoking as a disease, as well as the general lack of awareness that former and current smoking constitute a risk factor for the development and progression of disease.
Tanni
Suzana Erico
SE
Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual de São Paulo, Botucatu, SP, Brasil. suzanapneumo@hotmail.com
Iritsu
Nathalie Izumi
NI
Tani
Masaki
M
Camargo
Paula Angeleli Bueno de
PA
Sampaio
Marina Gonçalves Elias
MG
Godoy
Ilda
I
Godoy
Irma
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution