Abstract
BACKGROUND: Medical counsel to smokers is an intervention that has proved useful to motivate smokers to stop smoking. This study pretends evaluate the long-term impact (2 years and 9 months) of systematic and structured health counsel on the smoke habit from the primary health care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In April 1990, in four primary care centers from Barcelona and Zaragoza, Spain, a program of systematic counselling to stop smoking with an offer of subsequent follow-up was initiated in all adult smokers (15-65 years of age). According to the answer, every patient was classified in one of seven established categories that allowed a individualized follow-up. Data from the total population included in the program from the beginning till January 1993, are analyzed. RESULTS: From 683 known smokers (59.2% males and 40.8% women), 20 were excluded for different reasons and 343 were included in the program (56.4% cover). Average age of included smokers was 35.1 years (SE = 0.6) and average number of visits of 5.3 (SE = 0.2) which was significantly higher than those not included in the program (33.4; SE = 0.6, and 2.7; SE = 0.1). An average follow-up of 14.3 months (SE = 0.5) and of 2.6 (SE = 0.1) interventions on each individual were done. The average daily number of cigarettes was 18.4 (SE = 0.6) in the initial period and 13.3 (SE = 0.6) on the last program evaluation. The final answers showed a 18.1% of quitters and a decrease of more than 50% on the initial consume on 32.6%. In 12% the answer was negative. CONCLUSIONS: Programs of systematic help for smokers show a higher level of favourable responses than does normal counselling.
Translated title of the contribution | Mild-term evaluation of a help program for smokers |
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Original language | Spanish |
Pages (from-to) | 744-748 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Medicina clínica |
Volume | 109 |
Issue number | 19 |
State | Published - Nov 29 1997 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine