Giving up the tobacco habit through the application of the smoker's aid program in the Chantrea Health Centre

Abstract

Introduction: This is a prospective descriptive study of intervention without aleatory assignation, carried out in the Chantrea Health Centre. Its aim is to determine the characteristics of the smokers who are taking part in two interventions by the Smokers' Aid Program (Programa de Ayuda al Fumador - PAF), and to evaluate the factors that influence the latter's success. Material and methods: The characteristics of 100 smokers were analyzed. They were offered one of the two PAF interventions: Minimal Intervention 1 (MN1): they are given a support brochure in the first consultations, contacted by telephone after one month and called to consultation after 6 months to measure CO. Minimal Intervention 2 (MN2): the smoker makes 5 consultations of support in giving up smoking (+ or - nicotine patches) with the doctor, nurse or social worker indiscriminately. The factors that were influential in abandoning the habit with 65 subjects were evaluated. Results: 60% of the subjects were male with an average age of 41 (DE 29). 29% showed a pathology related to tobacco, with no relation found between this and the success of the interventions. Those who chose MN2 (38%) had started tobacco consumption at an earlier age and were more dependent on nicotine. Of the 65 smokers who completed the program, 37% continued not to smoke after 6 months. Those who managed to give up smoking were of a greater average age, had spent more years smoking and belonged above all to the MN1 intervention. Discussion: Notable successes are achieved if the actions are carried out by the First Aid Team. We find no significant differences between the characteristics of those who give up smoking and those who do not. Not even a serious pathology, related to tobacco, is predictive of success. The smoker's dependence on nicotine must be taken into account in the intervention.