Smokers' knowledge about smoking-related health problems in Lebanon

Knowledge and attitude toward waterpipe smoking: scale validation and correlates in the Lebanese adult population

The World Health Organization declared waterpipe smoking as a growing public health concern. Our study aimed to assess waterpipe smoking knowledge and attitude among current waterpipe smokers in comparison with nonsmokers and to evaluate its association with current and cumulative waterpipe smoking. A cross-sectional study was carried between May and December 2018 using a multistage cluster sample across Lebanon. Nonsmokers or exclusive current waterpipe smokers were eligible to participate. A total of 4046 adult individuals participated in the study, 38.3% (n = 1550) being current waterpipe smokers. Current waterpipe smoking was positively associated with female gender [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.79, 95%CI 1.40-2.28] and having a mother who is a regular smoker (aOR 1.47, 95%CI 1.15-1.88) while it was negatively associated with better knowledge about waterpipe smoking harm (aOR 0.95, 95%CI 0.93-0.97) and positive attitude toward waterpipe smoking ban (aOR 0.98, 95%CI 0.96-0.99). Cumulative waterpipe smoking was negatively associated with female gender (β = - 0.012), higher education level (β = - 0.28), and positive attitude toward WPS ban (β = - 0.06). Waterpipe smoking is largely present among the Lebanese population, with waterpipe smokers showing lower knowledge about harm and more intolerant attitude about banning. Health awareness supported by media campaigns and governmental initiatives should be conducted to educate people and change their perceptions regarding waterpipe smoking.

Comparing cigarette smoking knowledge and attitudes among smokers and non-smokers

Smoking prevalence in Lebanon was reported by the World Health Organization to be 43%, which is among the highest rates in the Arab nation. The objectives of this study were to assess cigarette smoking knowledge and attitude among smokers and non-smokers using validated scales in the Lebanese general population and evaluate their association with current cigarette smoking; a secondary objective is to assess the dose effect relationship of knowledge and attitude with cumulative smoking. This cross-sectional took place between May and December 2018, and enrolled a sample of 2623 participants, representative from all Lebanese governorates. A questionnaire about knowledge of the harmful effects of tobacco and attitude toward smoking bans retrieved from other studies was used to collect data. Male gender (ORa = 0.75), having a low monthly income (ORa = 1.56) and a higher passive smoking score (ORa = 1.25), were significantly associated with higher odds of being current smokers. Higher knowledge score (ORa = 0.97) and positive attitude toward smoking ban score (ORa = 0.94) were significantly associated with lower odds of being current smokers. In addition, increased age (ß = 15.21) and higher passive smoking score (ß = 26.58) were significantly associated with higher cumulative cigarette smoking. More positive attitude toward smoking ban score (ß = - 6.51) and having a university degree (ß = - 68.35) were significantly associated with lower cumulative cigarette smoking. Higher knowledge about the smoking-related health problems and better attitudes toward smoking ban were observed among non-smokers compared to smokers. It is important to increase awareness campaigns and to propose effective interventions to put in place an adequate culture of smoking cessation among the general population.

The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Nicotine Dependence in Lebanese Adults

Emotional intelligence (EI) is known to be a risk factor for several types of addiction. The purpose of this study was to investigate, in a cross-sectional design, the presence of a relationship between the level of EI and nicotine dependence in a sample of Lebanese adults. A self-administered questionnaire was used to determine the sociodemographic characteristics, the level of nicotine dependence, and the level of EI in a sample of 142 Lebanese participants from the community. The sample was 51.4% women, with a mean age of 33.9 years. There was no difference in EI level between smokers and non-smokers (p = 0.66), and there were no associations between EI level and the level of nicotine dependence (p = 0.59). However, EI was positively correlated with age (p = 0.023). Due to the fact that smokers have been dependent on nicotine for many years and that EI is known to increase with age, findings suggest that low EI may be a risk factor for initiation, rather than maintenance, of nicotine dependence.

Assessing motivation to smoking cessation in hospitalized patients

AIM

To assess motivation to quit smoking in patients admitted to an acute care hospital, determine predictors of readiness to change, and identify a risk group that requires targeted motivational interviewing.

METHODS

A cross-sectional descriptive study. A retrospective study was performed on the medical records of 248 patients aged >18 years with smoking habits admitted to the medical and surgery units of a district hospital between May 2014 and April 2015. The data collected included sociodemographic data, data on respiratory function, number of cigarettes smoked per day, motivation to quit smoking, patient-reported readiness to quit, history of respiratory diseases and previous admissions.

RESULTS

The Richmond test revealed that 54% of patients (n=134) were poorly motivated to quit smoking vs. 11.74% (n=29) who reported to be highly motivated. The group of patients who reported to be willing to receive support (n=77) was prevailingly composed of men (p=.009) admitted to a medical care unit (p=.026) -mainly the Unit of Cardiology (51%)- who smoked 11/29 cigarettes/day (p=.015). Dyspnoea at admission, a history of respiratory disease and previous admissions for respiratory problems were not predictors of readiness to quit.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identifies a risk group of patients with respiratory disease, low motivation to quit smoking and poor readiness to receive smoke cessation support, that should be the target of motivational approaches to behavior change.