Tobacco addiction among Workers in Primary Care in Health Area nº 4 of Insalud, in Madrid

Abstract

Backgrozznd: In developed countries, tobaccolsm constltutes the main public health problem capable of prevention. Health profeasionals comprime the hector with the greatest power of influente in reducing smoking habita. Nevertheless, cooperation is determined by their own personal habits and attitudes to smoking. This study describes the prebalence of hrnoking and attitudes towards tobaccoism amongst primary medical care personnel within Area 4 of Insalud in Madrid Methods: Of the 910 workers surveyed, 803 responded (response rate: 88%). 42.3% were smokers (35.3% on a daily basis and 7% occasionally) and the average smoker consumed 17 cigarrettes per day. 25.9% were ex-smokers and 31.7% nonsmokers. 95% of non-smokers and 85% of smokers considered that smoking should be forbidden in medical centres (p<0,001l). 11% of smokers did so in front of patlents (10% of doctors and 3.3% of nursing statff). 58.4% of smoken stated that they would participate in an asslstance scheme designed to help them give up the habit. Conclusions: Results indicate that there still exists a large percentage of primary medical care personnel that smoke and that attitudes are not those that would be expected from a group of people seen as an example by others. Priority must be given to intensifying awareness, assisting people to give up smoking and to training courses.