Smokers' Characteristics Associated with Successful Smoking Cessation Undergoing Pharmacotherapy in Slovenia

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Marko Drešček
• Author: Špela Miroševič
• Author: Janez Rifel
• Author: Stjepan Orešković
• Author: Igor Švab
• Author: Vesna Homar
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Social Medicine and Health Care Organization)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Public Health and Health Care; Social Medicine

Abstract (english)

Introduction: Tobacco use is a major global health problem, contributing to premature death and disability. In Slovenia, the prevalence of smoking is higher than the EU average, emphasizing the need for effective tobacco control measures. The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics of patients most likely to benefit from pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation.

Methods: We performed cross-sectional analysis of factors associated with successful smoking cessation using pharmacotherapy for Slovenian smokers. A total of 176 (24.6%) smokers with an average age of 50 years agreed to receive pharmacotherapy for their smoking cessation attempt and were enrolled in the study. Participants were followed up at 4-week intervals during treatment and for 24 weeks after completion of pharmacotherapy.

Results: Attempts to quit smoking with prescription medications were successful in 24.4% of those willing to try. Female smokers, older persons, those with more children, with a lower self-perception of health, a higher number of cigarettes per day and a higher nicotine dependence were more likely to attempt to quit smoking. However, the strongest predictors of smoking cessation success were lower nicotine dependence, which was tested using the Fagerström test for nicotine dependence, and higher adherence to pharmacotherapy.

Conclusion: Nicotine dependence and adherence to pharmacotherapy are the strongest predictors of a successful smoking cessation attempt. Identification of potential responders, prescription of pharmacotherapy and follow-up are applicable in the primary healthcare setting.

• Keywords (english): Drug therapy; Smoking cessation; Tobacco use; Tobacco use disorder; farmakoterapija; odvisnost od nikotina; opuščanje kajenja; uporaba tobaka
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Slovenian Journal of Public Health
• Numbering: vol. 63, no. 4, pp. 180-187
• e-ISSN: 1854-2476
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sjph-2024-0024
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:631305
• Publication: 2024-12-01
• Document URL: https://www.sciendo.com/article/10.2478/sjph-2024-0024
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2025-03-20 08:34:12