Knowledge, attitude and practices of health care providers on smoking cessation intervention – a case of Sol Plaajtie Subdistrict, Northern Cape

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Date
2020-01
Authors
Muza, Lizwe Calvin
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Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
Background: Clinicians are crucial in influencing smokers to quit through provision of behavioural (counselling) or pharmacological smoking cessation interventions. Numerous studies conducted across different parts of the world indicate an increase in smokers who quit with assistance compared to those without. However in-order for healthcare providers to efficiently offer this advice; they need to be equipped with the right knowledge on smoke intervention and possess the right attitude and willingness to counsel their patients on smoking cessation. Objective: To determine the knowledge, attitude and practises of healthcare providers on smoking cessation intervention strategies in Sol Plaatjies Sub-district in the Northern Cape. Methodology: The researcher made use of a descriptive cross-sectional design with a selfadministered questionnaire aimed at determining the knowledge, attitude and practises of health care providers on smoking cessation intervention. One hundred and sixty five participants were selected to participate in the study from four groups namely; medical officers, professional nurses, enrolled nurses and assistant enrolled nurses. Results: Responses were received from 156 participants constituting 95% of the targeted population. The results revealed that 52% had no knowledge of South African tobacco smoking cessation guidelines highlighting a lack of training on smoking cessation intervention whilst 87% knew the importance of counselling patients on smoking and its impact on quitting. Majority of them did not know the medicines recommended for tobacco treatment in South Africa. Three-quarters (75%) expressed that smoking cessation counselling is an important part of their jobs, but only half of them indicated that they made follow-up arrangements on those attempting to quit. They also cited a number of barriers to smoking cessation interventions mainly due to lack of community-based tobacco cessation treatment centres for referrals as well as unavailability of educational materials among others. Conclusions: The study revealed that most of healthcare workers in the Sol Plaatje District are not aware of the existence of smoking cessation guideline. It was also observed that respondents agree that smoking cessation knowledge is an important element of their jobs and it’s necessary to provide smoking cessation counselling. However, these healthcare providers do not consistently record patient smoke history and quit attempt. They also faced other challenges such as lack of time and unwillingness of patients to quit smoking. Recommendations: It is to improve training and development among healthcare providers in-order to adequately equip them with the right knowledge on smoking cessation as well making available material on smoking cessation; there is also need to open more communitybased tobacco cessation treatment and referral centres for patients to avoid relapse.
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Keywords
Dissertation (M.Med. (Family Medicine))--University of the Free State, 2020, Smoking Cessation, Healthcare Providers - Training, Smoking - Health aspects
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