Determining smoking level of hospital employees and the evaluation of the smoke-free air zone applications

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to define the health knowledge, cigarette smoking behaviors, attempts and successes to quit smoking and obstacles indicated by the ones who still smoke among a Training and Research Hospital staff four years after the application of the law "Smoke Free Air Zone". Methods: A questionnaire developed by the researchers is used for this cross sectional research. It questions the sociodemographic features and thoughts and attitudes about the "Smoke Free Air Zone" and "Smoke Free Hospital" applications. Fagerstrom Nicotine Dependence Test is also applied to the smoking attendants to define the level of dependence. Results: It was found that 29.6% of the participants still smoke. Among the still smoking ones; 29.4% did not ever attempt to quit, 28.2% attempted before starting work in the hospital, 20% attempted after starting work in the hospital and 22.4% attempted on both periods. Regarding the questions about application of "Smoke Free Hospital" it was found that 70.7% of the hospital staff support the application, 53.3% think that violators should be punished with a penalty, 48.1% think that it should be punished by the administration, 30.1% think that passive smoking is an intrusion to the personal rights and 59.1% think that quitters increased with this application. Conclusion: Reducing the smoking rates among healthcare staff is extremely important in the struggle against smoking. Establishment of applications with institutional education programs and easing access to the related services may be helpful for healthcare personnel quit smoking.

An investigation of smoking habits and mental well‐being in healthcare personnel during COVID‐19

“…Comparison of the rate of smoking reported in the present study with that reported in previous studies conducted in Turkey showed a decrease in the rate of smoking over the past years. The results reported in some recent studies are consistent with those reported in this study, 17,18 whereas studies conducted in the past report a higher incidence of smoking 19,20 . The results of the present study showed that the smoking rate decreased during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Turkey, which complies with the World Health Organization recommendations most and the world leader in fighting against tobacco.…”

“Sleep Quality and Depression Level in Nurses in COVID-19 Pandemic”

“…Dugas et al also defined smoking as a known risk factor for sleep disorders ( Dugas et al, 2017 ). In the study conducted to determine the smoking levels of hospital workers, the rate of smoking was determined to be 29.6% in Turkey ( Koç et al, 2015 ). In parallel with the studies, smokers in the sample group were found to be 31%, and the PSQI scores of those who smoked 11 or more per day were higher than those who did not smoke.…”

Evaluation of the Periodic Examination of Physicians Working in a Training and Research Hospital Regarding Malignancy Risk

“…18.7% -max. 66.2%) [11,12] . It was observed that the general average of actively smoking in hospital physicians was much lower.…”