title: [Knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of hospital staff members towards smoking and anti-smoking regulations: results of a survey in F.-Hached University Teaching Hospital of Sousse (Tunisia)].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Promoting a smoke-free hospital is a priority component for tobacco control strategies. The aim of our investigation was to study the attitudes and behaviors of the hospital staff of the F.-Hached UH of Sousse towards smoking, and to assess their knowledge about the harms of passive smoking and about tobacco regulations in the hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. In January-February 2008, the questionnaire was submitted to hospital staff members selected at random from the care units at F.-Hached UH of Sousse, Tunisia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 92.8% (452 participants). The average age of the population was 39.7±19 years; all professional categories were represented. The prevalence of active smoking among the staff interviewed was 19% (89.5% males). About 75% of the smokers stated they smoked on the work site and 8% in the presence of patients. The majority of the smokers wished to stop smoking. Discomfort from exposure to tobacco smoke was reported by 83.4% of respondents. The large majority of staff respondents (95%) knew that tobacco smoke is dangerous and 80% were aware of the existence of a law that prohibits smoking in the hospital.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of smoking remains high among male hospital workers. In our hospital, the majority of the care staff favored promotion of a tobacco-free hospital. The success of this project will depend on education, implicating the entire hospital staff in the anti-smoking battle. Smoking staff members should be supported in their attempts to stop smoking.
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie et allergologie, EPS Farhat-Hached, Sousse, Tunisie.
authors.forename: S Mezghani Ben
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Salah
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rhif
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Elguesmi
authors.forename: A Ben
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Abderrahmen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hayouni
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mrizak
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benzarti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution