Factors associated with outcomes of quit attempts among smokers in an industrial workplace in the Vaal area of Gauteng province

Date
2016-10-17
Authors
Andembutop, Andezai Josiah
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Abstract
Background The implementation of smoking regulations in South Africa has led to reductions in smoking prevalence in the general population. However, the industrial work place is a physically demanding and manual-labour-intensive work environment, and may promote continued smoking as part of coping mechanisms for workers. Outcomes of quit-attempts in the industrial setting may therefore be different from those obtainable in the general population. The current study determined the outcomes of quit-attempts among ever-smokers in a multi-national industrial steel company and compared successful quitters with those who continue to smoke, in order to determine factors significantly associated with successful quit-outcome. Methods In a cross sectional comparative study, a structured questionnaire developed de novo, was administered on 230 consecutively sampled ever-smokers. This questionnaire collected information on participants’ socio-demography, smoking patterns, motivations and treatments used during quit-attempts and outcome of quit attempts. Data was analyzed using Epi-Info. Analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square test, t-test, analysis of variance and logistic regression. Main outcome measures included: the proportions of participants who had ever made a quit-attempt, the proportions who have been successful (abstinent in the past 6 months) or not (continues smoking) in their quit-attempts, and the factors that are significantly associated with being successful. Results A total of 230 participants completed the questionnaire. Of these, most participants were: White (71.3%), men (82.2%), had grade 12 or more education (81.3%), married / co-habiting (70.9%), permanently employed (65.2%) and field-based or manual labourers (73.9%). Participants’ mean age was 37 years and they smoked an average of 19.8 cigarettes per day. All participants had made at least a quit-attempt of which only 52 (22.6%) reported being successful. On group comparison, participants who reported being successful at quit attempts were significantly more likely to be older (43.5 Vs 35.8 years; p = 0.00), married (p = 0.01), permanently employed (p = 0.02), have had grade 12 education or more (p=0.01), smoke their first cigarette of the day after 30 minutes of being awake (p = 0.00) and made a quit-attempt for reasons other than concerns for their family and friends (p = 0.00). On logistic regression, reporting receipt of social support from family or friends (OR = 9.0; CI: 2.0-40.0; p = 0.01), the use of varenicline (OR = 4.0; CI: 2.0-9.0; p = 0.00) were significantly associated with success at quit attempt. However, patch use was found to significantly reduce the odds of successful quit-attempts (OR=0.2; 95% CI: 0.1-0.7; p=0.01), contrary to the literature that nicotine patch use increases the chances of quitting even when used in isolation. Conclusion The vast majority of smokers in this industrial workplace make attempts to quit smoking. However less than a quarter reported being successful. The receipt of social support from families and friends, and the use of tobacco treatment aids such as varenicline and NRTs appear crucial in assisting smokers to successfully quit in this industrial setting.
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Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Family medicine, faculty of health sciences, University of the Witwatersrand. Johannesburg 2016
Keywords
Smoking Quit Attempt
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