Smoking among individuals with schizophrenia in Korea: gender differences.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined gender differences in smoking and quitting among individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia in Korea. In addition, the study investigated differences in caffeine use by gender and smoking status.


METHODS
An anonymous self-report survey was conducted with psychiatric inpatients.


RESULTS
Compared to males, females were less likely to be current smokers (P<.001) and more likely to be former smokers (P<.01). Females were also less likely to be daily caffeine users (P<.001). Having more years of education (P<.05) and higher nicotine dependence scores (P<.05) were associated with decreased odds of intending to quit smoking, whereas having more previous quit attempts (P<.01) was associated with increased odds. These findings were significant even after adjusting for gender. Smokers were more likely to be daily caffeine users (P<.001) than their non-smoking counterparts.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses in Korea should play an active role in tobacco control for patients with schizophrenia by providing cessation counseling and educating the effect of caffeine use on cigarette consumption, while tailoring the service to gender differences found in this study.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA. Electronic address: sun.kim@umassmed.edua.
Sun S
SS
Kim
Sangkeun
S
Chung
Jong-Il
JI
Park
Ae-Ja
AJ
Jung
David
D
Kalman
Douglas M
DM
Ziedonis
D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology
D002110:Caffeine