[Who smoke at a general hospital? Clinical comment]. / Quiénes fuman en un hospital general? Comentario clínico.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Tobacco consumption is a public health problem. Hospitals are not free of this circumstance because there are smokers inside these institutions; thus, it is important to identify who smoke in hospitals. METHOD AND RESULTS: A general survey with closed questions was carried out among 659 workers at a tertiary level general hospital. Smoking habit was positive in 184 employees and negative in 475. The majority of smokers were married and worked in the administrative offices, 46 of which belong to the medical area. Academic level was not an important determinant for tobacco consumption. The habit began between 10 to 20 years of age, mainly in relation with a sensation of pleasure, relaxation, and the need to smoke. CONCLUSIONS: The main site for smoking was the working area, 70% of nonsmokers are converted passive non-voluntary smokers. It is important to take actions to avoid tobacco smoking in hospitals in pursuit of a hospital environment free of tobacco smoke.

[The tobacco habit among the workers in a general hospital. A survey report]. / Hábito tabáquico entre trabajadores de un hospital general. Informe de una encuesta.

Survey among the workers of a general hospital to investigate how may of them smoke by means of a closed questionnaire given to 1092 Subjects. Smoking habit was positive in 678 (62.1%) and negative in 414 (37.9%); statistical difference was significant p 0.01. The rate for nocturnal workers was 80.0 in comparison with those of the morning and evening with 55.81 and 62.38 respectively. Men smokers had 66.79 of rate and women 57.55 with no statistical difference. Cigarette was the most common form of tobacco consumption, pipe and cigars were very rate. The most important number of smokers were 31-40 (65.4% and 21-30 (62.7%) years old, very few under 21 but among these 63% were smokers. Smoking habit was more common in the groups of high schooling [correction of scolarity]. Physicians were an important group of smokers, 61.6 per cent of 284 use to smoke while working in the hospital. Other characteristics of smokers are discussed and it is concluded that is necessary to take action to get a tobacco free hospital.