title: Smoking among inpatients at a university hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence and characteristics of smoking among inpatients at a university hospital, as well as to evaluate their motivation, interest, and need for help in quitting smoking.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study involving inpatients treated between May of 2008 and April of 2009 on the cardiovascular disease wards at the Antonio Pedro University Hospital, located in the city of Niterói, Brazil. All inpatients were asked to complete a questionnaire designed to collect data regarding demographics, reasons for admission, and smoking status. The smokers also responded to additional questions regarding their smoking habits. The level of nicotine dependence was determined with the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 136 inpatients who participated in the study, 68 (50.0%) were male. The mean age was 60.7 years. The prevalence of smoking was 13.2%. Among the 49 patients with coronary disease, 36 (73.5%) were smokers or former smokers. The majority of the patients presented with a high level of nicotine dependence and reported withdrawal symptoms during hospitalization. Although most smokers were motivated to quit smoking, they admitted that they needed help to do so.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because smoking is forbidden in the hospital environment and most inpatients who smoke are highly motivated to quit, health professionals should view the hospitalization period as an opportunity to promote smoking cessation.
authors: Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brasil. anani@predialnet.com.br
authors: Ângela Santos
authors: ÂS
authors: Ferreira
authors: Antonio Carlos Ferreira
authors: AC
authors: Campos
authors: Isabela Pereira Arraes
authors: IP
authors: dos Santos
authors: Mariana Roque
authors: MR
authors: Beserra
authors: Eduardo Nani
authors: EN
authors: Silva
authors: Vilma Aparecida da Silva
authors: VA
authors: Fonseca
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors