Effect of training program regarding smoking cessation counseling for primary health care physicians in Port Said City, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Smoking is a major risk factor for death-related diseases. Not all healthcare professionals are following evidence-based guidelines for smoking cessation counseling in primary care settings. The WHO, Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), and United States Public Health Service (USPHS) guidelines recommend that all healthcare professionals, including students in healthcare training programs, receive education in the management of tobacco use and dependence. Objective: To evaluate the effect of training programs for primary healthcare physicians on the knowledge, attitude, and practice of smoking cessation counseling. Methods: This was a pre-post intervention study. The study included 74 primary care physicians working in primary healthcare centers affiliated with the Ministry of Health and Suez Canal University Hospitals in Port Said City. The study was conducted between June 2015 and March 2016 using a structured questionnaire and observation checklist to assess counseling of patients willing to quit smoking. Results: There were highly statistically significant improvements in the physicians’ median scores of knowledge (30%–80%), attitude (65% -100%), and practice (20%–70%) (p < 0.001) pre-post intervention. The most frequent correct knowledge was consequences of smoking (73%–87.3%) (p < 0.001) pre-post intervention. The most favorable attitude was the importance of smoking cessation (70.3%–100%) (p < 0.001) pre-post intervention. The best observed correct practice was asking about smoking (70.3%–100%) (p < 0.001) pre-post intervention. Conclusion: Knowledge, attitude, and practice skills regarding smoking cessation counseling among primary healthcare physicians were markedly improved after implementation of the education program.