title: Quitting experiences and preferences for a future quit attempt: a study among inpatient smokers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Understanding smokers' quit experiences and their preferences for a future quit attempt may aid in the development of effective cessation treatments. The aims of this study were to measure tobacco use behaviour; previous quit attempts and outcomes; methods used to assist quitting; difficulties experienced during previous attempts; the motives and preferred methods to assist quitting in a future attempt; identify the factors associated with preferences for smoking cessation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inpatient wards of three Australian public hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hospitalised smokers enrolled in a smoking cessation trial.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 600 enrolled patients (42.8% participation rate), 64.3% (n=386) had attempted quitting in the previous 12 months. On a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high), current motivation to quit smoking was high (median 9; IQR 6.5-10), but confidence was modest (median 5; IQR 3-8). Among 386 participants who reported past quit attempts, 69.9% (n=270) had used at least one cessation aid to assist quitting. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) was most commonly stated (222, 57.5%), although the majority had used NRT for <4 weeks. Hypnotherapy was the most common (68, 17.6%) non-pharmacological treatment. Over 80% (n=311) experienced withdrawal symptoms; craving and irritability were commonly reported. Most participants (351, 58.5%) believed medications, especially NRT (322, 53.7%), would assist them to quit in the future. History of previous smoking cessation medication use was the only independent predictor of interest in using medications for a future quit attempt.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of smokers had attempted quitting in the previous 12 months; NRT was a popular cessation treatment, although it was not used as recommended by most. This suggests a need for assistance in the selection and optimal use of cessation aids for hospitalised smokers.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12612000368831.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Monash University (Parkville Campus), Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, The Alfred, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Abramson
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine & Public Health, Faculty of Health & Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Billie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bonevski
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Monash University (Parkville Campus), Parkville, Victoria, Australia Pharmacy Department, The Alfred, Prahran, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Susan G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Poole
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Monash University (Parkville Campus), Parkville, Victoria, Australia Pharmacy Department, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Gregory R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Weeks
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Monash University (Parkville Campus), Parkville, Victoria, Australia Pharmacy Department, The Alfred, Prahran, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Dooley
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Monash University (Parkville Campus), Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Johnson
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: George
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009538:Nicotine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine
keywords: PREVENTIVE MEDICINE; PUBLIC HEALTH