 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Birgit Reime, DSc MPH, Dept. of Health Care and Epidemiology, University of British Columbia, 5804 Fairview Ave, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada, (604) 806 9119, breime@cw.bc.ca and Peter Novak, MD PhD, Dept. of Medical Sociology, Ulm University, Am Hochstraess 8, Ulm, 89081, Germany.
Background. In the context of smoking cessation programs recent studies raised concerns regarding smokers’ defiance related to health-related messages. The aim of this study was to assess the relative importance of selected motives for smoking cessation and their relationships to socio-demographic characteristics among ex-smokers and current smokers who expressed the intention to quit. Additionally, differences in health-related attitudes were compared among smokers and ex-smokers. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study on smoking behavior, motives related to cessation and health-related attitudes among employees in two German metal companies. A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to the employees of which 1641 participated in the study (response rate 65% in company A and 44% in company B). Chi-square tests, ANOVAs and multivariate regression models were performed. Results. Among current smokers (n=360), health-related reasons and family’s complaints dominated financial or image-related reasons to quit. Among ex-smokers (n=657), concerns of being addicted were ranked to be the second important motive for cessation. Significant sex-, age- and occupational status differences concerning particular reasons for cessation were observed within smokers and ex-smokers. Using ANOVAs controlling for socio-demographic characteristics smokers and ex-smokers differed significantly regarding attitudes toward health-conscious persons but not concerning health locus of control. Conclusions. In order to avoid denial or defiance, smoking cessation programs at the worksite should mention additional reasons for smoking cessation than risks and consider the social background of the participants. Additionally, the reputation of health-conscious participants should be backed-up.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Worksite, Spit Tobacco
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.