戒烟干预对吸烟者知识、态度和行为的影响

目的 评价戒烟干预对戒烟门诊求助者烟草相关知识、态度和行为(知、信、行)的影响。方法 以2008年10 月至2013 年8月解放军总医院戒烟门诊就医的未使用戒烟药物的吸烟者为研究对象,戒烟门诊医师首诊时为吸烟者进行≥30 min的面对面咨询和心理干预,之后1周、1个月、3个月和6个月时共进行4次随访电话干预(每次15～20 min).对照组为2012 年8月至2013 年8月解放军总医院健康医学中心某病区常规查体的吸烟者,基线和随访时均不进行干预。比较基线和1年随访时干预组和对照组烟草相关知、信、行的变化情况。结果 干预组和对照组分别纳入414例和213例研究对象。意向性分析显示,干预组1年随访烟草相关知、信方面共有5个变量的知晓/同意率高于基线。两组的1年随访时点戒烟率分别为4.7%和27.3%.logistic 多元回归分析显示,1年随访时戒烟率与暴露于戒烟干预、女性、尼古丁依赖评分低和烟草相关知识及态度正向变化(吸烟导致心脏病、应该禁止各种形式的烟草产品推广、吸烟浪费金钱和酒楼、饭店应该全面禁烟)共7个变量呈正相关,其OR值(95%CI)分别为2.85(2.00～4.07)、3.34(1.23～9.07)、2.78(1.64～4.72)、2.30(1.03～5.15)、5.33(1.47～19.32)、6.32(1.56～25.62)和10.47(2.25～48.84).结论 戒烟门诊求助者的烟草危害认知水平普遍较高,通过系统化戒烟干预,部分吸烟者知识及态度有了一定提高。烟草相关知识及态度的有益转变,有利于提高戒烟率。     

Smoking health professional student: an attitudinal challenge for health promotion?

Tobacco is a major preventable cause of premature morbidity and mortality. Health professionals are uniquely positioned to provide targeted interventions and should be empowered to provide cessation counselling that influence patient smoking. A cross-sectional national survey was administered to all third year students in four disciplines at the University of Malta. The Global Health Professional Student Survey (GHPSS) questionnaire was distributed to collect standardised demographic, smoking prevalence, behavioural, and attitudinal data. 81.9% completed the questionnaire (n = 173/211). A positive significant association between tobacco smoke exposure at home and current smoking status was identified. Non-smokers regarded anti-tobacco policies more favourably than smokers, being more likely to agree with banning of tobacco sales to adolescents (OR 3.6; 95% CI: 2.5-5.3; p ≤ 0.001); and with a smoking ban in all public places (OR 8.9; 95% CI: 6.1-13.1; p ≤ 0.001). Non-smokers favoured a role for health professionals in promoting smoking cessation (OR 5.1; 95% CI: 3.1-8.5; p ≤ 0.001). Knowledge of antidepressants as tools for smoking cessation was also associated with a perceived role for skilled health professionals in cessation counselling (OR 4.9; 95% CI: 1.8-13.3; p = 0.002). Smoking negatively influences beliefs and attitudes of students toward tobacco control. There is a need to adopt a standard undergraduate curriculum containing comprehensive tobacco prevention and cessation training to improve their effectiveness as role models.     

成都市医生吸烟现状及男性医生吸烟行为影响因素研究

目的了解成都市医生的吸烟状况及男性医生吸烟的影响因素。方法采用多阶段随机抽样方法,对抽取的成都市710名医生进行吸烟现状调查,应用Logistic回归模型探讨男性医生吸烟的影响因素。结果本次调查的医生总体吸烟率为17.2%,男性医生吸烟率为37.3%;男性从不吸烟者和曾经吸现在已戒烟者的相关认知均好于吸烟者(F=3.61,P0.01;F=2.98,P0.01),从不吸烟者和曾经吸现在已戒烟者的相关态度均好于吸烟者(F=2.31,P0.01;F=2.29,P0.01);男性医生吸烟的影响因素为年龄、工龄、相关知识得分、相关态度得分和单位禁烟。结论本次调查的医生吸烟率较低,男性吸烟者吸烟相关认知差于不吸烟者,应该根据调查的相关吸烟影响因素制定医院控烟措施,进一步降低医生的吸烟率。     

Attitudes and opinions of French cardiologists towards smoking

To assess attitudes and opinions of French cardiologists towards tobacco, a postal survey was performed in 1993 of all members of the French Society of Cardiology using a questionnaire designed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Union against tuberculosis and lung diseases (IUATLD) for health professionals. 730 cardiologists responded to the mailing. The mean age of them was 47±9 years, 84% were males. The prevalence of smoking was 27% (14% daily smokers and 13% occasionally smokers). There were more never smokers in age group <45 than in those aged 45 and more(33% vs 21%). Of daily smokers, 42% claimed to have made a serious attempt to stop smoking, but only 16% expected to have stopped within five years of the survey. French cardiologists aged 29–45 years had a better knowledge of tobacco related respiratory and cardiovascular diseases than those over 45 years old. Only 64% (54% of daily smokers) would counsel a patient to stop smoking if he did not have a smoking related illness and did not himself raise the question. 53% thought they had sufficient knowledge to advise their patients on stopping smoking. The results compared to those of the French general practitioners survey, showed a lower prevalence of daily smokers. French cardiologists especially those aged 29–45, have a better knowledge of the risk of cardiovascular diseases. But only 64% of them would advise any smoker patients. These results also demonstrated the influence of personal smoking of the attitude of cardiologists towards smoker patients.     

我国居民对烟草危害及控烟问题的认知情况

目的了解我国居民烟草危害知识以及对控烟相关问题态度的现状。方法利用2007年中国慢性病及其危险因素监测样本人群,采用多阶段随机抽样方法抽取15～69岁成年人15 883人,进行问卷调查,了解我国居民对吸烟危害健康知识的正确回答率以及对控烟相关问题的正向认知率,并采用χ2检验比较吸烟者与非吸烟者之间的差异。结果知道吸烟和被动吸烟会引起肺癌的人分别占72.7%和63.2%;仅有不到1/3的人知道吸烟会引起脑卒中(29.6%)、流产(25.4%)、低出生体重儿(25.1%)和白内障(14.5%),且吸烟者对这些健康危害的认知度均低于非吸烟者(P<0.01)。仅有9.2%的人对"标明低焦油含量香烟的危害比一般香烟小"这一概念表示反对;53.4%的人赞同这一概念。与非吸烟者相比,吸烟者对公共场所禁烟及政府加大控烟力度的支持度更低(P<0.01)。结论我国对烟草所致健康危害的宣传力度还应加强,过半数居民赞同"低焦油、低危害"这一错误概念,值得控烟工作者警惕并采取应对措施。     

Smoking-related behaviour and attitudes among medical students in Alexandria

As a preliminary step toward incorporating a tobacco education and intervention program into our undergraduate medical curriculum, this study was designed to assess students' smoking-related behaviour, knowledge and attitudes towards tobacco, and perceptions of their future role as doctors in smoking intervention. A cross-sectional, study was conducted in the university year 2001/2002 on a representative sample of male medical students enrolled in 4th and 5th years at Alexandria University. A total of 320 students across the 2 years completed the survey. The smoking rate among medical students was 17.5% (10.9% smoked daily and 6.6% occasionally). The awareness of harmful effects of smoking and knowledge about the causal role of tobacco in the development of specific diseases were deficient. The intention to perform smoking intervention in the future as doctors seemed unsatisfactory. About 85% of the students thought that doctors should carry out smoking cessation advice depending on the disease, while the rate of those who thought so irrespective of the disease did not reach 44%. Current smokers thought less actively about smoking intervention than non-smokers. Nearly two-thirds of students (65.3%) felt they were not sufficiently prepared for caring or counseling smokers, and only 31.9% of students were convinced of the effectiveness of the doctor's advice to stop smoking. Seventy-seven and half percent of them desired specific training in smoking intervention. Non-smokers were more in favour of legislative actions to discourage tobacco use than current smokers. These findings suggest that medical school authorities should design and implement an appropriate basic training aimed at better preparing medical students for their future role in prevention of smoking. Specific teaching of medical students about smoking-related diseases and a patient-centered smoking cessation intervention is required to provide future medical practitioners with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively intervene with smokers.     

Smoking behaviour and attitudes among Australian medical students

Teaching about tobacco and related diseases is essential in the undergraduate medical course in order for students to gain knowledge about smoking and how to intervene with patients who smoke. The objective of the study was to assess students'smoking-related behaviour, knowledge and attitudes towards tobacco, and perceptions of their future role as doctors. Data were collected from two consecutive years of year 1 and year 5 medical students at the University of New South Wales, Sydney. A total of 594 (79%) of students across the 2 years completed the survey: 90% of year 1 students, and 69% of year 5 students. The daily smoking rate among the total medical students was 2.9%: 11.8% in year 1 (2.3% daily, 9.5% occasional) and 13.7% in year 5 (3.3% daily, 10.4% occasional). There were significantly more male than female smokers in year 5 (P < 0.05). The overall smoking rates for males in years 1 and 5 were 12.4% and 19.3%, and the smoking rates for females were 11.2% and 8%. Knowledge about the causal role of tobacco in the development of specific diseases improved significantly from year 1 to year 5 (P < 0.001). Nevertheless, in year 5 there remained a lack of knowledge about the relationship of smoking and some diseases. Fifty-seven per cent of students thought that their current knowledge was sufficient to counsel smokers, with year 5 students (89%) being far more positive than year 1 students (34%) (P < 0.001). Teaching medical students about smoking-related diseases and a patient-centred smoking cessation intervention results in an increase in knowledge, as well as positive perceptions about their future role in intervening with smokers.     

天津市居民吸烟及戒烟状况调查分析

目的：了解天津市居民吸烟状况、戒烟想法及戒烟方法的应用,为有针对性地在居民中开展健康教育活动提供依据,同时为制定相关控烟政策提供基础数据。方法使用 PPS 法(按规模大小成比例的概率抽样)在每个区抽取3个街道,共计16个区。使用 PPS 在每个街道抽取2个居委会抽样单位,采用随机抽样方法在每个居委会抽取70个家庭户,每个家庭户采用 KISH 表抽取1名调查对象,每个居委会完成50份调查问卷。结果男性现在吸烟率为42.35%,女性现在吸烟率为10.32%,男性吸烟率高于女性(χ2=760.956,P <0.05),不同文化程度居民吸烟率差异有统计学意义(χ2=95.605,P <0.05)。男性与女性现在吸烟者戒烟意愿差异无统计学意义(χ2=2.959,P >0.05),不同吸烟量的现在吸烟者戒烟意愿差异有统计学意义(χ2=30.434,P <0.05),随着吸烟者吸烟量的增大,想戒烟的比例也在逐渐降低。89.18%现在吸烟者选择靠自己毅力戒烟,7.06%选择拨打戒烟热线。在过去12个月,有42.25%医护人员建议吸烟者戒烟。非吸烟者对主动吸烟及吸入二手烟的危害知晓率高于吸烟者,有戒烟想法的人主动吸烟及吸入二手烟的危害知晓率高于吸烟者。结论应积极开展控烟工作,有针对性地对男性、女性吸烟者开展控烟干预工作,加大戒烟门诊、戒烟热线的宣传,提高医务人员的戒烟知识和戒烟技巧,广泛宣传主动吸烟与被动吸烟的危害,同时政府部门加强控烟法律执行力度,保证人民群众不受二手烟的危害。     

Smoking attitudes, behaviours and risk perceptions among primary health care personnel in urban family medicine centers in Alexandria

Smoking is a major public health problem which is responsible for large number of preventable health problems. Health professionals continue to use tobacco, often at a rate similar to, if not higher than, that of the general public. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of smoking among primary health care (PHC) personnel in 4 randomly selected urban family medicine centers in Alexandria, Egypt and to assess their attitudes, behaviours and risk perceptions towards smoking. A sample of 220 PHC personnel was included in the study. Data collection was done through using a self-administered questionnaire which was composed of 3 main parts regarding: personal data of the PHC personnel, their attitudes' towards smoking, and their personal smoking behaviours and risk perceptions. The results of the present study revealed that the prevalence of current smoking among PHC personnel was high (45%), especially among physicians (51.1%) and nurses (27.3%). Also, 88% of males, 22.7% of females, and 47.6% of married personnel were current smokers. About 59.1% of the PHC personnel had positive attitudes towards smoking cessation, and 17.3% had negative attitudes. Non smoker PHC personnel had statistically significant better attitudes than current smokers. Only 16.8% of PHC personnel found themselves very well prepared to counsel their patients about smoking cessation. Therefore, continuous medical education to all health team members should be encouraged. Smoking cessation activities should be an integral part of the PHC system, and to be provided by all PHC team members during their routine daily activity.     

Attitudes toward tobacco cessation and lung cancer screening in two South African communities

ABSTRACT

Among men in South Africa, the prevalence of tobacco smoking is as high as 33%. Although smoking is responsible for most lung cancer in South Africa, occupational and environmental exposures contribute greatly to risk. We conducted a tobacco and lung cancer screening needs assessment and administered surveys to adults who smoked >100 cigarettes in their lifetime in Johannesburg (urban) and Kimberley (rural). We compared tobacco use, risk exposure, attitudes toward and knowledge of, and receptivity to cessation and screening, by site. Of 324 smokers, nearly 85% of current smokers had a <30 pack-year history of smoking; 58.7% had tried to stop smoking ≥1 time, and 78.9% wanted to quit. Kimberley smokers more often reported being advised by a healthcare provider to stop smoking (56.5% vs. 37.3%, p=0.001) than smokers in Johannesburg but smokers in Johannesburg were more willing to stop smoking if advised by their doctor (72.9% vs. 41.7%, p<0.001). Findings indicate that tobacco smokers in two geographic areas of South Africa are motivated to stop smoking but receive no healthcare support to do so. Developing high risk criteria for lung cancer screening and creating tobacco cessation infrastructure may reduce tobacco use and decrease lung cancer mortality in South Africa.     

Australian nurses' smoking behaviour, knowledge and attitude towards providing smoking cessation care to their patients

This study examined smoking-related knowledge, attitudes andpractices of hospital-based nurses. The specific aims were:to determine the prevalence of self-reported smoking and thecharacteristics of hospital nurses who smoke; to describe nurses'knowledge of the health risks of smoking and strategies whichaid quitting; and to describe their attitudes to smoking andquitting and providing smoking cessation care. The sample wasformed from all direct-care nurses from six large hospitalsin the Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia rosteredon the randomly selected data collection days over 4 monthsin 1991 (n = 388, 98%). Participating nurses completed an interviewmeasuring demographic and smoking history characteristics, andknowledge of smoking-related diseases, quitting strategies andreferral options (open-ended questions). A self-completed questionnairemeasured attitudes about smoking, quitting and nurse provisionof smoking cessation care. Twenty-two percent of nurses reportedbeing current smokers and 21.5% reported being ex-smokers, withhigher smoking rates reported by enrolled nurses compared withregistered nurses. Knowledge about the health effects of smokingwas high, but knowledge of more effective strategies to aidquitting and referral options was poor. Nurses had positiveattitudes towards assisting patients to stop smoking (60%),but restricted this to patients who wanted to quit. Only 21%felt competent to discuss cessation with patients and identifiedskills training as necessary. The findings suggest that smokingrates among nurses may be lower than those reported in pastdecades and lower than rates among women of the same age inthe general population. The findings also suggest that nurses,while perceiving a role in smoking care, require training inthe provision of smoking cessation care to hospital patients,and that hospital policies and nurse education providers needto strongly support the provision of smoking cessation by providingnurses with time, access and incentive to undertake such activities.     

A comparison of smoking habits, beliefs and attitudes among Tuscan student nurses in 1992 and 1999

Two-hundred-and-fifty students (aged 24 ± 4 years, mean ± SD, females were 75%) attending the first year of training in Florence Nursing School in 1991–1992 and 205 ones (aged 22 ± 4 years; females 83% of the total) in the first year course of Nursing Schools of the Universities of Siena and Florence in 1998–1999 answered the same anonymous, self-administered questionnaire about their smoking habits, beliefs and attitudes. The overall response rate was 92% in 1992 and 88% in 1999. In 1992 and 1999, respectively, ex-smokers were 13 and 11%, current smokers 51 and 43%. Ten percent of nurses who smoked in 1992 and 16% in 1999 were occasional smokers. The average daily number of cigarettes among respondents who smoked was lower in 1999. For both the surveys the beliefs about tobacco smoking remained generic and more often drawn from unspecific sources of information. Compared to 1992, in 1999 student nurses improved some attitudes towards smoking, such as the increased awareness that smoking cessation methods may be useful to quit and that hospital should be smoke-free. These positive attitudes did not change their smoking habits and the opinion on their ongoing smoking habits. Student nurses also did not obtain a consistently increased awareness about their role for advising subjects who smoked against smoking. We conclude that from 1992 to 1999 in Tuscany the smoking habits of first year student nurses changed little and remained high. There is a need for targeting antismoking education and for including specific training about tobacco smoking in the curricula of Italian nurse schools.     

Smoking-related attitudes and their sociodemographic correlates among Mexican-origin adult smokers

The purpose of the study was to describe smoking-related knowledge and attitudes of a specific group of Latino smokers, and to identify sociodemographic correlates. This study is one of the few to provide information about smoking-related psychosocial variables and their correlates among a Latino subgroup. A survey was administered to a volunteer sample of adult smokers of Mexican-origin (n = 278) to assess their sociodemographic characteristics, and smoking-related knowledge and attitudes. Measures of smoking-related attitudes targeted six constructs: self-efficacy for quitting smoking, anticipated outcomes, intentions to quit, normative expectations, social support, and barriers to quitting. Smoking/cessation knowledge was assessed with a 14 item test. This sample of smokers had high knowledge and positive attitudes about quitting smoking. Several sociodemographic variables were associated with attitudinal knowledge variables, although no consistent pattern of association was seen. Results underscore the complexity between smoking-related attitudes and sociodemographic factors, and are discussed in terms of implications for culturally-tailored interventions.     

甘肃省医疗卫生从业人员控烟知信行现状分析

目的：调查甘肃省医疗卫生机构从业人员控烟相关知识、态度、行为现状,分析其在创建无烟医疗卫生系统和参与、引领社会控烟等方面作用的发挥及其存在的问题,为进一步开展医疗卫生专业机构控烟工作与完善控烟策略提供依据。方法：采用分层整群抽样的方法确定34家医疗卫生机构,使用自行设计的问卷,对各级各类医疗卫生机构从业人员进行现场自填法调查其控烟相关的知识、态度、行为。结果：甘肃省医疗卫生从业人员对烟草危害缺乏深度和广度认识,虽在控烟态度上较积极,但控烟的综合服务能力不足,对受众戒烟帮助的方式方法欠规范。Logistic回归分析显示,影响医务人员控烟能力的主要因素为自身吸烟情况、劝阻吸烟行为、询问吸烟情况。结论：对医疗卫生从业人群进行针对性的烟草知识和戒烟技能培训,降低该人群吸烟率,增强行政后勤管理人员控烟意识,是建设无烟医疗卫生系统、引领社会控烟的关键环节。     

Indigenous women and smoking during pregnancy: knowledge, cultural contexts and barriers to cessation

Despite active tobacco control efforts in Australia, smoking prevalence remains disproportionately high in pregnant Indigenous women. This study investigated the place of smoking in pregnancy and attitudes towards smoking within the broader context of Indigenous lives. Focus groups and in-depth interviews were used to collect data from 40 women, and ten Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs) in Perth, Western Australia. The research process and interpretation was assisted by working with an Indigenous community reference group. Results demonstrated the impact of contextual factors in smoking maintenance, and showed that smoking cessation even in pregnancy was not a priority for most women, given the considerable social and economic pressures that they face in their lives. Overwhelmingly, smoking was believed to reduce stress and to provide opportunities for relaxation. Pregnancy did not necessarily influence attitudes to cessation, though women's understanding of the consequences of smoking during pregnancy was low. Reduction of cigarette intake during pregnancy was seen as an acceptable and positive behaviour change. The AHWs saw their role to be primarily one of support and were conscious of the importance of maintaining positive relationships. As a result, they were often uncomfortable with raising the issue of smoking cessation with pregnant women. The stories of Indigenous women and AHWs provided important insight into smoking during pregnancy and the context in which it occurs.     

2013年西安市居民烟草流行状况调查

目的 了解西安市居民的烟草流行状况,为进一步在全市开展控烟工作提供理论依据。 方法 采用多阶段分层随机抽样的方法,在西安城区和农村抽取2 772名15～69岁的调查对象,于2013年10-12月采用《2012年全国居民健康素养监测调查问卷》进行入户问卷调查,调查内容包括基本信息、戒烟行为及认知、戒烟史、吸烟环境及对烟草危害认知。采用SPSS 19.0软件分析居民吸烟率、二手烟暴露率人群分布差异及吸烟者戒烟想法和戒烟方式等情况。 结果 西安市居民吸烟率为28.1％,城区、农村分别为24.8%和31.4%,男、女分别为50.6％、6.3％,城乡及性别分布差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);76.2%人群受二手烟危害,其中56.7%人几乎每天接触二手烟,不同社会特征人群除职业和年龄分类二手烟暴露率及暴露频率比较差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05);吸烟人群中有戒烟意愿的仅占51.4%,拨打戒烟热线、咨询戒烟门诊为6.5%和10.4%。 结论 2013年西安市居民吸烟率较高,二手烟暴露严重,吸烟者有戒烟意愿者少,希望寻求专业戒烟帮助的更少,烟草流行情况不容乐观。     

Tobacco use among youth and related characteristics, Turkey

Summary. Objectives To provide nationally representative data on smoking prevalence of Turkish adolescents; to examine their knowledge, attitude and exposure to tobacco Methods A school-based representative survey of adolescents (13–15 years) was conducted within the frame of Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS). 15 957 students were selected using a two-stage cluster sampling method and completed an internationally standardized questionnaire on tobacco use and related factors. Results About one-third of students had already experienced smoking and 10% were current smokers. Rate of exposure to passive smoking was high both in current smokers (89.0%) and never smokers (79.2%). More than one-third of current smokers had intended to quit. Susceptibility to initiate smoking was fairly high among never smokers, especially in boys (9.1% versus 5.8%). Considerable proportions of both never, and current smokers had positive attitude toward tobacco use. Half of the students had no school curriculum about the effects of tobacco use. Conclusions Smoking prevalence among Turkish adolescents is alarmingly high and the gender gap is closing. A relevant legislation is a must for success in tobacco control but should be combined by other effective prevention and cessation programs. Submitted: 21 April 2005 Accepted: 28 November 2005     

Tobacco use prevalence, knowledge and attitudes, and tobacco cessation training among medical students: results of a pilot study of Global Health Professions Students Survey (GHPSS) in Italy

Aim

The aims of this study were to examine tobacco use prevalence, knowledge and attitudes, and tobacco cessation training among students attending Italian medical schools using the Global Health Professions Student Survey approach and to identify possible factors associated with smoking status.

Subjects and Methods

A multicentre cross-sectional pilot study was carried out in five Italian Schools of Medicine from March to April 2009. Questionnaires were administered in anonymous, voluntary and self-administered form to third year students attending medical schools. The outcome measure was ??being a current smoker??. A logistic regression was used to evaluate possible factors associated with smoking status.

Results

The prevalence of current smokers was 31.4%. More than half considered health professionals as models for patients, and around 90% thought health professionals have a role in giving advice or information about smoking cessation. Only 5.8% of responders had received smoking cessation training during medical school. Medical students who considered healthcare professionals as behavioural models had lower likelihood of smoking (OR?=?0.52).

Conclusions

Given the high prevalence of smokers among medical students and the poorness of smoking cessation programmes, it is important to create tobacco control training programmes addressed to healthcare students.     

Tobacco smoking habits,attitudes and beliefs among nurse and medical students in Tuscany

In this study we evaluated the smoking habits, beliefs and attitudes of nurse and medical students at the University of Siena and Florence, Italy. Students who entered the 1st year of school in 1998 were asked to complete a self-administered anonymous questionnaire. Two hundred medical students completed the questionnaire; they had a mean age (±SD) of 19.8 ± 1.7 years and 68% were females. A total of 205 nurse respondents answered to the questionnaire; they had a mean age of 21.8 ± 4.1 years and females were 83% of the total. The overall response rate among students always remained higher than 85%. Thirty per cent of medical students were current smokers, and 5% former-smokers. A total of 43% of nurse students were current smokers and 11.5% former-smokers. Nurse students were more likely to smoke than medical students (p= 0.001). Among current smokers, the number of daily cigarettes smoked and the degree of nicotine addiction did not differ between groups. The prevalence of maternal smoking were higher among nurse students. In spite of students' beliefs the knowledge about smoking remained generic in both groups. Nurse students were less aware than medical students of their special responsibility towards people about tobacco smoking. Such a difference remained significant also after adjustment for smoking status (p< 0.01). Students overestimated the prevalence of current smokers among health caregivers of the local hospitals, and Italian people and adolescents. Targeted and continuous training about smoking prevention should be mandatory in Italian medical and nurse schools.     

Tobacco Use and Interest in Smoking Cessation Among Latinos Attending Community Health Fairs

Health fairs are vital for reaching underserved Latinos providing access to health services including smoking cessation. The purpose of this study is to describe tobacco use and interest in smoking cessation among Latino smokers attending community health fairs. We surveyed 262 self-identified Latinos attending health fairs; we assessed smoking behavior and attitudes of 53 (20.2%) current smokers. Smokers were mostly uninsured (98.1%), male (54.7%), recent immigrants (96.2%) with limited English proficiency (60.4% spoke Spanish at home), and were mainly light (86.3%) and nondaily (58.7%) smokers. Although most participants attempted to quit smoking at least once in the past year, only 5.0% of current smokers reported ever using cessation medication and 94.3% were unaware of free-telephone counseling. The majority of smokers were ready to quit within 30 days and were interested in participating in cessation programs. Health fairs provide a unique opportunity to address smoking cessation among underserved Latinos with limited knowledge of access to, and use of effective cessation services.