RESUMO
Objectives: this study demonstrates the attitude of health care workers [HCWs] in capital region [including Amiri hospital and health centers working at ministry of health] towards antismoking legislations in Kuwait, and towards their professional responsibility role in smoking cessation program for their patients, and determine the attitude of non smokers towards those who smoke in different situations
Subjects and methods: a cross sectional study was conducted during August and September 2003. All HCWs at Ministry of Health facilities, Capital Region, including AL-Amiri hospital and the health centers propagated through the Capital Region, were invited to participate using an anonymous self -administered questionnaire. The survey collected information on soci-demographic characteristics, attitude of HCWs towards anti-smoking legislations, and towards their professional responsibility role in smoking cessation program for their patients, and to determine the attitude of non-smokers towards smoker in different situations
Results: a total of 1625 respondents [604 male, 1021 female] mere included in the study. The prevalence of smoking among the HCWs was 16.80%. More than 90% of HCWs support legislations to prohibit smoking in hospital and health care centers, to ban tobacco sales to children and advertisement of tobacco Product, and encourage clear print of health warning on cigarette packages. The attitude of nonsmokers towards someone smoke in different places is disappointly passive. About 87% of respondents agree to ask and advise the patients about his smoking status, and 75% agree that advice of physician to his patients to stop smoking increases the probability of their quite. Overall the attitude of respondents varied according to their smoking status and their occupation; current smoker were significantly. [p <0.0001] less in favor of antismoking legislations and less likely to ask patients about their smoking status than non and ex-smokers
Conclusion: HCWs realized that the use of tobacco products could have a detrimental effect on health. They support promotion of smoke free workplaces, restriction on youth access to tobacco products and on advertisement and promotions directed towards children. They have ample opportunity to assist patients to stop smoking and support antismoking legislations in Kuwait