[Effectiveness of advanced group and individual interventions in tackling tobacco dependency in primary care].

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effectiveness of group advanced intervention and individual advanced intervention for smoking management in primary health care; b) to know if in group intervention exists an added positive effect due of the group and, if this is true, to characterize it; and c) to know the advantages and inconvenients that the participants attribute to each intervention.

DESIGN

Control clinic trial randomized in individual scale.

SETTING

Mallorca primary health centers, Spain.

PARTICIPANTS

Smokers >5 packet-year or monoxid carbon levels >15 ppm prepared for give up smoking. People younger than 18 years, people with terminal illness, and mental problems will be excluded.

INTERVENTIONS

Candidates will be assigned to: a) group intervention; b) individual intervention; or c) short intervention or control group. Interventions will be done by a nurse and a general practitioner. Depth interview will be done for qualitative study. PRINCIPAL MEASUREMENT: Maintained cessation during 12 months confirmed by expired-air carbon monoxide measurement. SECONDARY MEASUREMENTS: Self-declared cessation and confirmed by expired-air carbon monoxide measurement months 1, 2, 3, 6, and 9, and tobacco reduction if there isn't abandonment.

ANALYSIS

Intention treatment. Multilevel analysis will be done to determinate the positive effect added of the group if it's proved that exists. Content analysis for qualitative study.

DISCUSSION

Randomization will prevent participants will be treated by their general practitioner o their nurse, this can mean worse results than results obtained in practice.