[Smoking attitudes and behavior of the hospital staff Sahloul (Sousse, Tunisia)].

BACKGROUND

Smoking is a major public health problem. Legislation banning smoking in public institutions exists but is not strictly enforced, particularly in health facilities. Therefore health workers have a crucial role to play in the control of smoking on account of their contact with patients and their credibility and moral authority in health matters. They can help patients by their advice and by abstaining from smoking in the hospital themselves. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of smoking among medical staff at the University Hospital of Sahloul in Sousse and their attitudes and behaviour with regard to smoking.

METHODS

The data came from a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted during the year 2013-2014 using a self-administered questionnaire and included the health personnel of all services and laboratories of the University Hospital of Sahloul in Sousse.

RESULTS

The participation rate was 71% (768/1081). Our study population was predominantly female (51%) with a mean age of 37.8 (±11.3) years. The overall prevalence of smoking was 21%. It was significantly higher among men (38.8%) than women (4.6%). This prevalence was higher among physicians/pharmacists (29.5%). More than half the smokers (58%) started smoking between the age of 19 and 25 years. Nicotine dependence was moderate among 27.4% and strong among 18.3% of smokers. The average dependence score was 4.1±2.4 [0-9] with a median of 4.0. Two-thirds of smokers (66.5%) reported smoking in the workplace.

CONCLUSION

Confronted with the problem of tobacco, health institutions should find solutions for the prevention of smoking in hospitals. It seems necessary to train and involve hospital staff in anti-tobacco measures and to help smokers to quit in order to make our hospital a tobacco smoke free space.