Abstract: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a random selection of 10 primary healthcare centers (PHC) to assess level of practice in smoking cessation counseling (SCC) among physicians in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as well as physician-related factors interfering with appropriate practice. Level of practice was assessed using the 5-A’s & 1 R (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange, and Reiterate) counseling strategy with calculation of a practice score (PS: 6-30). Appropriate practice in SCC was defined as PS ≥24. A 5-attitude dimensions model was used to assess physician-related factors of SCC, including physicians’ motivation, confidence, perceived health risks of smoking and benefits of smoking cessation, perceived benefits to physician, and perceived patient’s attitude. On each dimension, a score was calculated and analyzed as factor of practice in addition to demographic and professional factors and physician’s smoking status. The study included 92 physicians: 67.4% males; 57.6% aged 20-29 years. The proportion of physicians with appropriate practice was 32.6% (95% CI=23.0, 42.2) which was higher among females, married and older participants with children, as well as in non- and ex-smokers and Family Medicine specialists, by comparison to their counterparts. In the 5-attitude dimension model, confidence and motivation were higher among physicians who had appropriate practice versus the others; while other dimensions had no significant impact. In regression analysis, confidence was the strongest predictor of practice in SCC. The level of practice in SCC in PHC is insufficient, with only one-third of physicians adhering to appropriate counseling strategy, which is principally predicted by physician’s confidence.
Keywords: Smoking Cessation Counseling, Practice, Confidence, Primary Healthcare, Physician.
Title: Quality and Physician-Related Factors of Practice in Smoking Cessation Counseling in Primary Healthcare in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Author: Manal Abdulaziz Murad, Ali Mohammed Almana, Ibraheem Mohammed Almani, Hassan Mohammed Haddadi, Abdullah Adil A. Memish, Basma Abdulaziz Aloweidi, Abdulah Khalid Sagga
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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