Prevalence of Smoking among Physicians and Dentists in Kuwait

كان الهدف من المشروع هو تحديد العوامل المساعدة ومعدلات استهلاك التبغ بين الأطباء في دولة الكويت الى جانب تقييم مدى استعداد الأطباء للمشاركة في برنامج مكافحة التدخين وتوجيه النصائح للمهتمين. وقد تم استخدام وسيلة الدراسة المقطعية على جميع الأطباء في القطاعين الحكومي والخاص من خلال استكمال استبيانات وتحليل نتائجها. وقد تمخض البحث عن توصيات متعددة اهمها: – معدل الأطباء المدخنين يزيد قليلاً عن الإحصائيات المتوفرة في الدول الأخرى ولكنه اقل من الإحصائيات المتداولة محلياً سابقاً. – رغبة الأطباء في المشاركة في حملات التوعية بمضار التدخين. – سلوكيات الأطباء المدخنين السابقين يجعل منهم مصدر حيوي في حملات مكافحة التدخين. – التوصية بإعادة الدراسة لاحقاً لتتبع أنماط عادة التدخين بين الأطباء وذلك بعد إدخال تشريعات وبرامج لمكافحة التدخين.

A cross-sectional epidemiological study was undertaken to identify the extent of smoking among physicians and dentists in the State of Kuwait. A total of 1953 physicians aged 21-71 years participated in the survey. Majority of them were aged < 44 years. Arab-speaking expatriates formed the largest group (61.6%). Highest prevalence of ex-smokers was observed among those in the age group of 55-64 years. A considerable proportion of smokers reported having made serious attempts to stop smoking (62.8%) and a quarter of them were certain they would not smoke five years hence. Physicians who never smoked or have quit smoking, cited ‘protection’ of health (89.5%) as the most important reason for not smoking. The other reasons were self-discipline, urge to set a good example to patients, health workers and the society. Most of the participants strongly felt that smoking was harmful to their health. Physicians accepted their role as a model for their patients in the issue of smoking. A few agreed that it was their responsibility to convince people to stop smoking. Most of the non-smokers felt it was annoying to be near a person who was smoking. Only a small proportion of the physicians reported smoking in the presence of patients. Most physicians advised their patients against smoking when presented with smoking-related diseases. A higher proportion of ex-smokers than non-smokers recommended the presence of a health warning on cigarette packages. Some of them suggested a complete ban on the advertising of tobacco and smoking in public places. Findings of this study point to the presence of positive organizational (health manpower) resources for the launching and maintenance of a successful smoking control program in Kuwait. The study also highlights the need for strengthening the physicians with required skills and resources to deal with smoking-related situations for effective results.