title: Smoking cessation support in Iran: availability, sources & predictors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Smoking cessation advice is known as an important factor in motivating smokers to quit smoking. We investigated the extent, sources and predictors of receiving unsolicited advice and seeking active advice for smoking cessation in Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was performed as a part of Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP) on 9093 adult individuals (both men and women) in 2004-2005. Demographic characteristics, smoking status, sources and preferences for smoking cessation support were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the studied population, 66.8 and 14.4 per cent had received and asked for cessation support, respectively. Smokers had received advice from family (92.2%), friends (48.9%), physician (27.9%) and other health care providers (16.2%). Smokers had asked for cessation help more frequently from family (64.5%) and friends (42.0%). Women (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.37-0.94) and singles (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.36-0.71) received less advice. Hookah smokers received (OR: 0.23; 95% CI: 0.14-0.38) and asked (OR: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.06-0.68) for cessation help less than cigarette smokers. Receiving advice increased the odds of seeking support (OR: 7.98; 95% CI: 4.37-14.57).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Smokers` family and friends were more frequent sources for smoking cessation support. Tobacco control programmes can count on smokers` family and friends as available sources for smoking cessation support in countries where smoking cessation counselling services are less available. However, the role of physicians and health care workers in the smoking cessation counselling needs to be strengthened.
authors: Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. n.toghiani@gmail.com
authors: Nafiseh
authors: N
authors: Toghianifar
authors: Nizal
authors: N
authors: Sarrafzadegan
authors: Hamidreza
authors: H
authors: Roohafza
authors: Masoumeh
authors: M
authors: Sadeghi
authors: Babak
authors: B
authors: Eshrati
authors: Gholamhossein
authors: G
authors: Sadri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003376:Counseling; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult