Psychometric Testing of the Chinese-Version Glover-Nilsson Smoking Behavioral Questionnaire (GN-SBQ-C) for the Identification of Nicotine Dependence in Adult Smokers in Taiwan

Validation of the Glover-Nilsson Smoking Behavioral Questionnaire (GN-SBQ) to Evaluate Nicotine Dependence in Spanish Clinical Settings

An assessment of the different aspects of tobacco addiction is central to adapting interventions to the profiles and needs of smokers. The Glover−Nilsson Smoking Behavioral Questionnaire (GN-SBQ) is one of the few and most used scales to evaluate the behavioral aspects of tobacco addiction. However, few studies involve the validation of the GN-SBQ in clinical settings. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of the GN-SBQ in a sample of Spanish smokers. A total of 341 smokers attending clinical services in Spain participated in this cross-sectional study. Measures included the psychological factors related to tobacco addiction, assessed with the GN-SBQ, the physical factors of nicotine addiction, withdrawal symptoms, smoking-related variables, and alcohol use. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, internal consistency coefficients, confirmatory factor analyses, Spearman correlations, and the Kruskal−Wallis test. The GN-SBQ showed adequate reliability (α = 0.76 and ω = 0.76) and a unidimensional structure. GN-SBQ scores also provided evidence of convergent and concurrent validity. GN-SBQ scores significantly correlated with the physical symptoms of addiction, age, number of cigarettes, and withdrawal symptoms. The results of discriminant validity were also adequate, as no correlation was observed between GN-SBQ scores and CO levels or alcohol use. Significant differences were found between all levels of psychological addiction based on the GN-SBQ scores regarding physical nicotine addiction, withdrawal symptoms, and age. Thus, this questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument to assess the psychological aspects of tobacco addiction in smokers in clinical settings. The short length of the GN-SBQ proves advantageous for its use in time-limited assessments, which are common in public health services.

Comparison of physical and psychosocial function post-treatment among oral cancer patients with low-to-moderate and high nicotine dependence

PURPOSE

After suddenly stopping smoking after an initial oral cancer (OC) diagnosis, patients may restart smoking and nicotine dependence. This study sought to identify factors associated with high nicotine dependence in OC patients who restarted smoking post-treatment.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A group of 220 OC patients who restarted smoking post-treatment were recruited from the outpatient radiation department of a single cancer center in northern Taiwan. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded, and patients were assessed for nicotine and smoking dependence, physical activity and function, socio-emotional function, social support, and depression.

RESULTS

Among patients who restarted smoking after treatment for OC, 75.9% reported low-to-moderate dependence on smoking, while 24.1% reported high nicotine dependence. Factors associated with high nicotine dependence included higher incidence of smoking per day, greater dependence on smoking, less physical activity per week, and poorer social-emotional function. Those highly dependent on nicotine were younger, unmarried, had less education, and had begun smoking earlier than those with low-to-moderate nicotine dependence.

CONCLUSIONS

The amount of smoking per day, greater smoking behavioral dependence, less physical activity per week, and worse social-emotional function affected high nicotine dependence.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Smoking cessation training and counseling for OC patients may help them better control their use of tobacco after treatment.

Supportive Care and Unmet Needs in Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients: Screening and Related Factors

Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer treatment can cause physical and psychological distress and may result in unmet needs. The purposes of this study were to (1) examine the levels of gastrointestinal (GI) symptom distress, social support, and supportive care needs; (2) screen the priorities of unmet supportive care needs; and (3) identify the factors associated with supportive care needs among UGI cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. This cross-sectional study examined UGI cancer patients who received treatment from the outpatient chemotherapy department of a single cancer center in northern Taiwan. Questionnaires were used to collect data regarding GI symptom distress, social support, unmet needs, and supportive care needs. The top three unmet needs were "fears about the cancer spreading", "uncertainty about the future", and "being informed about things you can do to help yourself to get well". Descriptive statistics examined the levels of GI symptom distress, social support, supportive care needs, and priorities of unmet supportive care needs. Stepwise regression was conducted to determine significant factors related to supportive care needs. Greater supportive care needs were found to be associated with higher levels of disease-related worries, increased treatment-related symptoms, and a lower level of physical performance. These factors explained 48.0% of the variance in supportive care needs. Disease-related worries and treatment-related symptoms strongly influence overall supportive care needs and each domain of supportive care needs. Symptom management and psychological support for patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy may help patients meet needs.

Impact of tobacco and/or nicotine products on health and functioning: a scoping review and findings from the preparatory phase of the development of a new self-report measure

BACKGROUND

Measuring self-reported experience of health and functioning is important for understanding the changes in the health status of individuals switching from cigarettes to less harmful tobacco and/or nicotine products (TNP) or reduced-risk products (RRP) and for supporting tobacco harm reduction strategies.

METHODS

This paper presents insights from three research activities from the preparatory phase of the development of a new self-report health and functioning measure. A scoping literature review was conducted to identify the positive and negative impact of TNP use on health and functioning. Focus groups (n = 29) on risk perception and individual interviews (n = 40) on perceived dependence in people who use TNPs were reanalyzed in the context of health and functioning, and expert opinion was gathered from five key opinion leaders and five technical consultants.

RESULTS

Triangulating the findings of the review of 97 articles, qualitative input from people who use TNPs, and expert feedback helped generate a preliminary conceptual framework including health and functioning and conceptually-related domains impacted by TNP use. Domains related to the future health and functioning measurement model include physical health signs and symptoms, general physical appearance, functioning (physical, sexual, cognitive, emotional, and social), and general health perceptions.

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary conceptual framework can inform future research on development and validation of new measures for assessment of overall health and functioning impact of TNPs from the consumers' perspective.

Impact of physical and psychosocial dysfunction on return to work in survivors of oral cavity cancer

OBJECTIVE

To compare the levels of social support, physical function, and social-emotional function between oral cavity cancer survivors who did or did not resume work 6 months or longer after treatment completion.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study examined survivors of oral cavity cancer who were treated at the outpatient radiation department of a medical center in Northern Taiwan. Questionnaires were used to collect data regarding perceived social support, physical function, social-emotional function, and return to work status after treatment. Logistic regression was conducted to determine factors related to returning to work.

RESULTS

We examined 174 survivors of oral cavity cancer, 55.2% of whom returned to work after treatment. Relative to survivors who returned to work, those who did not return to work reported needing greater tangible social support, having fewer positive social interactions, having poorer physical function, and having poorer social-emotional function. Multivariable analysis indicated that younger age (OR = 0.864, P < .05), higher family income (OR = 10.835, P < .05), sufficient tangible social support (OR = 0.943, P < .05), positive social interaction (OR = 1.025, P < .05), and better physical function (OR = 1.062, P < .05) were significantly associated with the return to work.

CONCLUSIONS

Survivors of oral cavity cancer who did not return to work had worse physical and social-emotional function and required more tangible social support and positive social interactions. Providing occupational rehabilitation and counseling for oral cavity cancer survivors may help them return to work.

Risk Factors for the Initiation of Smoking Behavior in Primary School Age Children in Karawang, Indonesia

Increases in smoking behavior among people in the community can cause health problems. Current smoking behavior changes in the younger generation and spreads to children. This condition is a concern for elementary school-age children. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between risk factors for smoking behavior in primary school-aged children in Karawang. Descriptive research method with cross-sectional design was used; a random sampling technique obtained a sample of 356 respondents aged 9-12 years in Karawang. This study used a smoking behavior questionnaire with validity (0.469-0.872) and reliability (0.92). Data were analyzed using linear correlation and multiple linear regression. The results of study show a relationship between age risk factors for the first-time smoking, family of smokers, and following trends and wanting to be cool with smoking behavior of primary school-age children. Multivariate analysis of multiple linear regression showed that the most dominant factor related to smoking behavior was sex (R square = 0.159). Risk factors for smoking and sex affect smoking behavior in primary school-aged children in Karawang Regency. The findings of this study indicate the need to control risk factors that influence school-age children to start smoking.

Factors associated with continued smoking after treatment of oral cavity cancer: An age and survival time-matched study

AIMS

The aims of this study of people with oral cavity cancer were to compare the social support, depression, nicotine dependence, physical function and social-emotional function of those who continued smoking with those who quit smoking, by matching age and survival time and to identify the predictors of continued smoking during the survival period.

BACKGROUND

People who continue to smoke after cancer treatment may have an impact on treatment response and survival.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey was conducted.

METHODS

This study compared 92 people with oral cavity cancer who continued smoking with 92 people who quit smoking, with matching for age and survival time between January 2015 - November 2015. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to compare the two groups.

RESULTS

The quit smoking group had significantly more social support, less depression and greater social-emotional function than the continued smoking group. People who were unmarried, received surgery without reconstruction, had poor social support and had poor social-emotional function were more likely to continue smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

People with oral cavity cancer were more likely to continue smoking after the treatment if they had low social support, depression, greater nicotine dependence and poor social-emotional function. Healthcare professionals should pay more attention to social support, psychological status and nicotine dependence of people who were treated for oral cavity cancer.