Prevalence and predictors of smoking cessation among smokers receiving smoking cessation intervention in primary care in Qatar: a 6-month follow-up study.

Objective: To estimate the rate and predictors of smoking cessation in smokers attending smoking cessation clinics in primary care settings in Qatar. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 759 smokers who had attended any of the 10 smoking cessation clinics in primary health care centers from January 2019 to June 2020. The sociodemographic, clinical, and smoking-related variables were assessed. Tailored behavioral and pharmacotherapy were delivered, and patients were interviewed at 6 months to estimate the 30-day point prevalence abstinence. To identify independent factors associated with smoking cessation, a multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: The mean age of participants was 40.6 (±11.3), majority being married, Arab and employed, and having a tertiary education. Almost half of the smokers (48.7%) received varenicline alone, 42.6% received NRT, and 31.8% received a combination of both. The selection of drug therapy was based on preferences, experiences, and history of previously encountered adverse effects. The overall 30-day quit rate at 6 months follow-up was 32.4%. About three-quarters (72.5%) of participants had at least one quit attempt and 12.5% had 3 or more attempts. Later age at smoking initiation, lower cigarette consumption at baseline, lower CO concentration at baseline, use of smoking cessation pharmacotherapy, having made fewer quit attempts and non-exposure to secondhand smoke among friends were identified as significant predictors of successful quitting at 6 months. Conclusion: The 30-day quit rate at 6 months follow-up (32.4%) is comparable to the worldwide figure. However, further efforts should be made to plan cost-effective tobacco dependence treatment taking into account predictors and at-risk groups.

Assessing health beliefs about osteoporosis among women attending primary health care centres in Qatar.

OBJECTIVE: Osteoporosis is a global health problem, and its prevalence is rapidly increasing worldwide. Misconceptions about osteoporosis and the lack of preventive measures among women are still common, emphasizing the need for primary prevention at an early age. The process of planning an effective osteoporosis prevention programme requires sufficient information about women's osteoporosis health beliefs. The objective of this study is to assess the health beliefs of 20-44 year-old Arab women about osteoporosis at primary health care centres in the State of Qatar. METHODS: The researchers utilized a cross-sectional study design, where cluster sampling with proportionate allocation was employed to enrol 766 eligible women who were interviewed using a structured Arabic questionnaire. RESULTS: The majority of the participating women showed lower perceived susceptibility to osteoporosis (71.7%) but higher perceived benefits of preventive practices (91.7%). CONCLUSION: Despite lower perception of susceptibility to osteoporosis, women were highly motivated to take care of their health and believed in the benefits of a calcium-rich diet and regular exercise. The integration of osteoporosis prevention into women's health programmes at the primary health care level, as well as physical activity and nutritional programs, are recommended.