Predictors of Intention to Quit Smoking in the Korean Navy Smokers

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate predictors associated with the intention to quit smoking in smokers from the Korean navy. METHODS: The study population consisted of 290 smokers from the navy. Data were collected from July 1 to July 10, 2013 and analyzed using the chi2 test, t-test, and logistic regression analysis. Three instruments-'Stages of Change of Smoking Cessation Measure', 'Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependency' and 'Self-Efficacy for Smoking Cessation'-were used. RESULTS: The 57.9% of smokers had intentions to stop smoking. Logistic regression analysis showed that the following significant factors were related to intention to quit smoking age at starting smoking (odds ratio [OR]=1.23, P=0.002), previous attempts to quit (OR=2.74, P=0.001), self-efficacy for smoking cessation (OR=1.05, P=0.045), and nicotine dependence (OR=0.79, P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the smokers in the navy started smoking in adolescence; thus community and school-based smoking prevention education could be very important. In addition, it is necessary to develop interventions to encourage those with failed past attempts to try quitting smoking again.